Lake Forest’s Newest Business Born From Romance

Lake Forest’s first chiropractic and acupuncture practice opened its doors April 15 at Westwood Square but it actually got its start 15 years ago.

That was the time Dr. Gregory Garlett and Dr. Mary McAndrews were students together and friends at the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. McAndrews went off to practice in the Chicago area and Garlett journeyed to Austin, TX.

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Fifteen years later Garlett had a professional conference in Chicago not too long ago and decided to see if McAndrews wanted to join him.

“I decided to look her up,” Garlett said. “We were best of friends in school.” She was busy but they decided on a lunch in Lake Forest before he went to the gathering in the city. “She put me on the train and sent me off to McCormick Place.”

From that lunch both Garlett Chiropractic & Acupuncture and a romance between McAndrews and Garlett was born. “We’re partners in practice and life,” she said.

McAndrews made arrangements to close her existing Lake Zurich practice while Garlett went about shutting his Austin office and moving to Chicago. Both are chiropractors and McAndrews is certified in acupuncture.

Then they picked Lake Forest as a location for their office. “This is where we can best (help) an underserved area,” McAndrews said. “There was no practice in Lake Forest.”

The office is fully opened but do not be surprised by the unfinished appearance. “We’re functional but not pretty yet,” Garlett said. They are working on the rest.

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