Niles resident and businessman Marko Ratic’s involvement with cars doesn’t end with his family-run company, North Shore Motor Works.
Each summer, on the first Friday of the month, Ratic heads up the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Cruisin’ Park Ridge car show next to the Park Ridge Public Library. The event is open to anyone who wants to display an antique, unusual or collectible car.
Ratic’s work with the car show was noted in his nomination for a 2017 Community Star Award — an award he will receive Feb. 17.
Q: How did Cruisin’ Park Ridge come about?
A: It was an idea that was started through the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce with the retail committee. We were trying to create an event each and every month to draw a crowd to the Uptown area for retailers. It started off as a “First Friday” thing and we decided to do a car show during the summer months.
Q: What does the car show raise money for?
A: We raise money for the [Park Ridge Chamber’s] retail committee so we can promote and do these type of events more and more, so the local businesses can benefit from it.
Q: Why do you think people like the shows?
A: It’s in an exclusive area and it’s only four times a year, which doesn’t make it too redundant. It’s in the center of everything and you have people come from all over: Skokie, Lincolnwood, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines. There are a lot of car enthusiasts within the area, and we get a lot of support because of it.
Q: Have there been any cars exhibited that really stood out to you?
A: We had a classic ice cream truck from the 50s or 60s, and we had a car that is from 1915. We’ve also had award-winning Road Runners show up. During the last event, we had replica cars come out, like a replica of the General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and the car from “Knight Rider.”
Q: If you could own any car in the world, what would it be?
A: Oh man. [Laughs]. That’s a tough one. When you’ve worked on cars for so long you don’t have that big of a preference.
Q: But do you have a favorite type of car?
A: I’m a Mustang guy, just because of the sportiness and the look of it, that kind of stuff. And I grew up around people that would build them.
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: That I’m actually more shy that I appear.
Q: Have you made any new year’s resolutions?
A: Just to help out as many people as possible.
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
