The Magic
of
Mole
By
Michele Clauss
Founded a decade ago on the premise that a well-made tie shouldn’t cost a fortune, The Tie Bar has become the #1 destination for stylish men's accessories - namely neckties, bow ties, tie bars, pocket squares, socks and a host of other products. By designing its own products and offering the largest selection online, The Tie Bar allows men to find the right ties and accessories to match their style while delivering premium quality and exceptional value. The Chicago-based company has been hailed and consistently featured by GQ Magazine among others for its ability to predict and drive trends in men’s fashion. The company's raving fan base includes a-list athletes and countless celebrities who love its style, quality and value.
A husband and wife duo, started the company a decade ago in Naperville, Illinois. The husband spilled a drink on his tie and wondered why his tie cost so much. As lawyers, they were sick of spending a fortune on neckties and knew there had to be a solution. In 2013 the company was purchased by Chicago Growth Partners (CGP) who has a majority stake in the nine-year-old company. The original founders remain on the board. The brand opened a pop up shop in Lincoln Park (918 W Armitage) for the 2014 holiday season. After a highly successful run the brand decided to make the store permanent as its first flagship brick and mortar location.
Opening a physical retail space in Chicago was a natural evolution for the brand. For more than a decade the company has been offering an exceptional online experience. The Lincoln Park flagship gives shoppers the chance to touch and feel their products, showcasing the breadth of the collection and quality of the neckwear and accessories in a dynamic environment.
Mexico has long been a frequent tourist destination for many, especially US and Canadian travelers, if for no other reason than its close proximity and affordable vacation packages. From early trips to Rosarito Beach in Baja, college spring break in Mazatlan (many years ago), vacation trips to Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, and one of the craziest girls’ trips ever to Riviera Maya’s Playa del Carmen … I’ve loved and enjoyed Mexico for what seems a lifetime. And no matter how many times I visit or where, it is more than just a pretty beach or a perfect margarita that draws me back...though to be sure those two rank high on my list. On my recent visit to Mexico, I found the magic in the moles.
For the last month I’ve enjoyed calling beautiful Puerto Vallarta “mi casa temporal” or temporary home. You know the line all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… well this month, when I wasn’t reviewing a contract remotely or guiding a group of yogis through a few sun salutations with the beach as our backdrop, I ventured out into local neighborhoods to experience the real culture - which in my case, usually means the food. As always when I wander off the tourist trail, I become enchanted by a country’s’ local sights, sounds and flavors. And this trip, as I strolled through winding cobblestone streets I became enchanted by the magic of mole.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting mole, you are truly missing out. Mole is basically a sauce with a blend of many ingredients that may include pepper, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, coriander and cloves, typically slathered over enchiladas, chicken or other meats. It’s the mix of sweet and savory that exemplifies any good sauce. But there is nothing “basic” about mole, many having over 35 ingredients. While most are familiar with the darker and/or chocolate based moles, there are also green moles which may focus on pumpkin seeds, yellow moles using Guajillo chilies, and even pink moles using beets (don’t shy away even if you’re not a beet lover because this was tasty).