It’s safe to say that Libertyville residents will be checking their calendars twice after seeing Christmas decorations lining Milwaukee Avenue this week. No, they haven’t traveled to December, they have simply entered the temporary set of “Exes of Christmas Past,” a charming, feel-good holiday movie currently shooting in Libertyville in their quaint downtown.
Libertyville Becomes a Movie Set
For three days, this quaint Illinois suburb turned into a winter wonderland to film the tale of a hotel manager making a trip back to her family’s B&B for Christmas only to find her three former high school boyfriends staying there. Awkward holiday cheer!
“There is a real buzz around town from residents and businesses. We are happy they decided to incorporate so many businesses into the filming and that they will appear by name,” said Heather Rowe, community development director.
Local Businesses Get Their Moment in the Spotlight
The production has turned Libertyville’s downtown into a star-studded affair, with numerous local establishments featured on camera:
- Rolland’s Jewelers
- Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters
- Sweet Home Gelato
- Firkin
- As Above So Below
- JC Licht Benjamin Moor Paint & Decor
- About Time Bookstore
Local shop owners didn’t just lend their storefronts—some scored cameo roles, with community members serving as extras. Karen Sahr, who works at Edie Boutique & Marigold Gift Shop (a significant backdrop in the film), got her moment in front of the camera with a brief non-speaking role.
“It’s so cool to get our little town of Libertyville on the map and recognized,” she shared. “Everyone is thrilled.”
Hometown Talent Behind the Camera
What makes this production especially exciting is its local connection. The film was written by Jake Jarvi and Eliza Toser, a husband-and-wife duo from Gurnee, who often come to downtown Libertyville. In fact, some of the script was even written at the Cook Park Library.
The production company is made up of John Bosher, who lives in Mundelein, and Chris Charles, who is from Madison, Wisconsin, and both of whom have been business partners since 2005 and have been putting together more and more romantic comedies lately.
“It is so easy in the genre. Everybody knows it, everybody likes it,” said Bosher, as filming took place along Milwaukee Avenue.
From Libertyville to Your Screen
After wrapping in Libertyville, the crew will continue filming at the Cherry Tree Inn B&B in Woodstock—the same location where Bill Murray’s character stayed in “Groundhog Day.” The filmmakers plan to release “Exes of Christmas Past” on a network or streaming platform in time for the upcoming holiday season.
These friendly, wholesome offerings have found a particularly receptive audience during divisive times, providing viewers with the comfort food equivalent of cinema. “Exes of Christmas Past” joins the team’s growing portfolio that includes “Christmas on the Ranch” (shot in Long Grove, Mundelein, and Hawthorn Woods) and a trilogy featuring “Christmas With Felicity” and “Reporting for Christmas.”
Community Embraces Movie Magic
Jennifer Johnson, executive director of MainStreet Libertyville, helped connect producers with businesses and identify locations for their cast and crew. “We hope the movie not only entertains but that it draws more visitors and interest in downtown Libertyville during the holidays, when the movie is released,” Johnson said.
The production asked locals to make a few adjustments as well, like parking restrictions for a specific time and, at times, closing sidewalks. However, Libertyville has been very willing to make these small sacrifices with the holiday spirit.
When “Exes of Christmas Past” is released this holiday season, Libertyville residents will get the pleasure of pointing to their TVs and saying, “I know that place!” Christmas will come early for a small town in Illinois this year, and it will bring a gift of cine-sational proportions.
