HERstory

Frier started Fabric Inn in 1966 in Naperville and later added a second store in Elgin, Ill. Just one year later, she opened her first music store, Bev Patterson Piano & Organ Co.  Frier opened three additional music stores in 1973, 1974 and 1975—located in Addison, Ill., Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill., and Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, Ill., respectively.  

During this time, Frier became the first-ever woman nominated for a seat on the board of directors of the National Association of Music Merchants.  Frier sold all 4 Bev Patterson Piano & Organ Co. stores in 1982 but retained ownership of the properties in Naperville and Addison.  She maintained ownership of Piano Rental Co. which she had started and owned over 200 rental pianos.  She sold that business in 1995.   

In 1999, Frier spearheaded an endeavor to build the Omnia Performing Arts Center in downtown Naperville. Omnia is a nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing 5th Ave.  Frier is a founding member of the organization. In addition to her contributions to Naperville's business community, Frier has always donated a significant amount of her time to various area clubs and organizations.  

She has been a member of the Naperville Chamber of Commerce since 1966 and has served several stints on the Chamber board. She is also a founding member of both the DuPage Investment Club and the Center for Lifelong Learning in Naperville. Frier joined the board of Martin Manor in 1985. Other affiliations include the board of Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich., and the Ninety-Nines Inc.— an international organization of women pilots.  Bev is an instrument rated pilot and has flown trips to Mexico, the Bahamas, and to Canada every year for fishing."