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I have more than 40 years in the news business and have successfully evolved into an electronic journalist. Comings & Goings and Southland Savvy track news about businesses in Chicago's Southland.

Used Car Dealership Opens in Former Oak Lawn Saturn Lot

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The former Saturn dealership at 9121 S. Cicero Ave. came back to life earlier this month when Indiana-based J.D. Byrider opened a used car dealership at the site.

“We opened March 5,” said General Manager Nicole Martin. “We are a specialty dealership that tries to help people with no credit or bad credit re-establish their credit and drive away with a car.”

Martin said the Oak Lawn location has about 25 cars on hand and is always adding more.

“Our cars are 2002 or newer,” she said. “We have all kinds of vehicles from compacts to SUVs.”

“All of our cars come with a Car Fax (vehicle history) and undergo an extensive inspection,” Martin said. “We especially look for frame damage, flood damage, odometer tampering and salvage titles. Any cars that have those problems are rejected.”

“We do a lot of repairs before we sell our vehicles,” she said. “It’s part of our credit re-establishment program. We don’t want someone to drive away with a car that breaks down and leaves them worse off than they were before.”

“We want to eliminate mechanical problems in all of our vehicles.”

Martin said most of her customers have been turned down by mainstream dealerships because of credit issues.

“We have a lender on-site who meets with the customer face-to-face. That personal touch is important. It gives someone with credit problems a chance to explain their circumstances.”

“Because the lender is on-site, we know the same day whether a person is approved for credit,” she said. “There’s no waiting around.”

The Oak Lawn dealership is Martin’s first but she plans more.

“We will concentrate our interests east of Interstate 294. When the time to expand is right, we’ll evaluate the marketplace and find our next location.”

Martin said the Oak Lawn location is nice because it’s farther east from the other three J.D. Byrider locations in the Chicago area and it’s the closest to Chicago.

“A lot of our customers have come from Chicago,” she said.

Martin said she went with J.D. Byrider because she liked its business model of helping people.

She said she had 15 years experience in the car business before opening the dealership.

“I spent eight years with a new car group and the past seven with ADP Dealership Services selling technology to car dealers to make them more profitable.”

The Oak Lawn location is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Illinois dealerships are closed on Sunday.

For information, call 708-422-9100 or visit J.D. Byrider’s website.

J.D. Byrider was established in 1989 in Carmel, Ind. The company has 10 locations in Illinois and 135 in 30 states.

IDOT to Shut Down LaGrange Road

The Illinois Department of Transportation will close LaGrange Road between 135th and 143rd streets in Orland Park overnight, weather permitting, for four consecutive nights starting Friday, March 30.

The closures are required to install structural steel for the new Metra SouthWest Service Line bridge over LaGrange Road.

Starting at 8 p.m. March, 30, the road will be closed in both directions at 135th and 143rd streets, reopening the following morning at 9 a.m. The closure will be repeated Saturday, March 31, starting at 10 p.m. and ending the following morning at 9 a.m. On Sunday, April 1, and Monday, April 2, the closure will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

A detour route will be in place each night. Drivers will be detoured to 143rd Street, Southwest Highway and 135th Street to reconnect with LaGrange.

All businesses and side streets between 135th and 143rd streets will remain accessible while LaGrange is closed.

The work is being done in advance of the reconstruction and widening of LaGrange between 131st and 179th streets. That project is tentatively scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall, requiring two full construction seasons to complete.

New Look for South Holland McDonald’s

The McDonald’s on 159th Street in South Holland is expected to reopen this week after undergoing extensive remodeling.

Decorator’s Supply Relocates

Decorator’s Supply House has moved to 19811 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena from its longtime home at 9616 Willow Lane. The phone number remains 708-478-0777.

Berkot’s to Hold Job Fair for Orland Store

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Berkot’s Super Foods is fast remodeling the former Green Food & Produce at 11333 W. 159th St. at the Wolf Crossing Plaza in Orland Park.

The Mokena-based grocery store chain is ready to start hiring workers for the Orland store, which will be the company’s 14th location.

A job fair to find full-time and part-time employees for the Orland store will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 31, at 11267 W. 159th St., which is a storefront in the Wolf Plaza.

“We’ll be interviewing people during the job fair,” Berkot’s spokesman Jeff Jackson said in a news release.

Prospective employees are invited to download and complete employment applications from the company’s website at http://www.berkotfoods.com/.

“We were very happy to hear that Berkot’s had chosen Orland Park as the location of their newest store,” Mayor Dan McLaughlin said in the release.

For information about the company and the job fair, visit the Berkot’s website or call the New Lenox store at 815-463-5046.

Final Days for Porter Gift Shop

This is the last week for the going out of business sale at Porter Gift Shop, 703 E. Ninth St. in Lockport.

“Everything is going,” said owner Don Bauer, who is pulling the plug after 41 years.

“We have had a lot of good customers over the years,” he said.

Bauer will not disappear from the Lockport business scene after Porter closes.

“I’ll be a part-time pharmacist at Corwin’s,” he said. “That’s what I did when I started Porter Gift’s.”

Southland Chamber Expo in Tinley This Weekend

A totally revamped Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Expo will fill the Tinley Park Convention Center on Friday and Saturday.

The Expo is free will run from 3-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Parking is free.

The Expo will feature vendor booths and exhibits, entertainment including a balloonist, face painter and magician and a raffle for a free dishwasher.

There will be a food drive for area food pantries and electronics recycling collection area.

“Since so many of our members offer products and services, this will allow exhibitors to showcase their businesses to consumers,” Brenna Norder, vice chair of business activities, said in a release. “The community will have the chance to see much of what Southland offers and get some great convention deals.”

The convention center is at 18451 Convention Center Drive. For information, visit the chamber website http://www.chicagosouthland.com/ or call the chamber at 708-957-6950.

Whitley to Address Tinley Chamber

Illinois Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Doug Whitley will address the monthly meeting of the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Odyssey Country Club, 19110 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Before joining the Illinois Chamber, Whitley was president of Ameritech Illinois. He served two years as director of the Illinois Department of Revenue under Gov. Jim Edgar, for 14 years he was president of the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois and before that was a legislative staff member for the Illinois House of Representatives.

Admission is free with a business card.

RSVP to the chamber at http://www.tinleychamber.org/ or at 708-532-5700.

Sleep Disorders Clinic Opens in Tinley

One of the bedrooms at the new Advocate South Suburban Hospital Sleep Disorders Clinic.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Have trouble sleeping? Counting sheep doesn't work?

Advocate South Suburban Hospital may have the answer at its new Sleep Disorders Clinic that moved into bigger and better facilities earlier this month at 16532 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

The state-of-the-art center has four beds and replaces an aging two-bed clinic at the hospital and a facility near Interstate 80 and LaGrange Road in Mokena.

“The new center has quite a lot of upgrades,” said Jim Munz, Director of Medical Staff Development for South Suburban Hospital. “We have more rooms and more beds.”

“The new location makes sense for our patients, who might not have wanted to go to Hazel Crest or Mokena,” said Munz. “It’s centrally located.”

The center monitors patients who have doctor-ordered tests to determine if they suffer from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or narcolepsy. Their breathing, brain waves and muscle activity are monitored and the patients are videotaped while they sleep.

“Because the center is on the lower level, we have no windows, which cuts down light and noise,” said Munz. “The rooms are like staying at a 5-Star hotel, which creates less anxiety for the patient. There are bathrooms with showers and the patients get a continental breakfast in the morning.”

Dr. Raj Gupta, center medical director, said an estimated 50 million to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and the number is increasing.

“Most go undiagnosed,” he said. “Sleep disorders can have serious health consequences including high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, attention deficit disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome.”

“Sleep disorders can affect how a person functions at work,” said Gupta, who has been at South Suburban Hospital for 30 years. “They can also make a person an unsafe driver.”

Gupta, who is board certified in pulmonary care and internal medicine, analyzes the results of the tests and determines a course of action with the patient’s primary care physician.

“The most common sleep disorder is sleep apnea, when the patient stops breathing for at least 10 seconds while sleeping,” said Gupta. “In serious cases, a person will wake up choking because he has stopped breathing and his body is telling him to wake up.”

The center is open daily and can accommodate all patients including shift workers who might normally sleep during the day.

“We can handle any situation,” said Munz.

The center accepts all patients with a doctor-ordered test, he said.

For information on the Advocate South Suburban Hospital Sleep Disorders Clinic, visit www.advocatehealth.com/SleepDisorders or call 800-3-ADVOCATE.

Wiley’s Grill to Open Saturday at Coyote Run Golf Course

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Coyote Run Golf Course, 800 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor, will open its new Wiley’s Grill restaurant on Saturday replacing the Northwoods restaurant and its hunting and fishing motif.

Opening day will include Irish dancers, bagpipers, an Irish band and a dinner buffet featuring corned beef and cabbage.

“We did some remodeling,” said restaurant manager Martin Henry, who is running the restaurant for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, which owns the course. “We got rid of the dead animals. The moose head is gone.”

“We tore out the old bar and replaced it and added a community bar,” Henry said. “We improved the lighting.

“It has more of a golf theme now.”

Henry said Wiley’s is named after Wiley, the dog that romps around the course chasing away the Canada geese.

“He’s our mascot, so we named the place after him,” Henry said with a laugh.

Wiley’s will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. A halfway house will open daily at 10:30 a.m.

“We’ll have a basic bar menu to start, such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches,” Henry said adding the menu will be more creative for private parties and golf outings.

“On weekends, we’ll have a grill outside on the patio, which has all new furniture,” Henry said.

For information, call Wiley’s Grill at 708-957-8774 or visit the golf course website at http://www.coyoterungolf.com/.

Palos Park Starbucks to Close

Coffee lovers will have to find a new source of caffeine when the Starbucks coffee shop at 13000 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park closes at the end of business on Sunday. The shop’s employees will not lose their jobs and are being transferred to other Starbucks. In fact, about half are moving to the Starbucks at 143rd Street and LaGrange in neighboring Orland Park.

Free Fries at Burger King

The fast-food giant is giving away value-sized orders of French fries on Saturday and Sunday in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. No purchase or coupon is necessary. Customers will also get a sample of Heinz’s new St. Paddy’s Day sauce, which looks suspiciously like green ketchup.

Tobacco Shop Changes Hands in Frankfort's Walt's Plaza

Bazaar Tobacco opened recently at 20873 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Frank Kadoura is a lucky guy. He was able to buy U.S. Tobacco in Frankfort and rename it Bazaar Tobacco just before the village board imposed a moratorium on new tobacco licenses in the village.

Kadoura, of Orland Park, said the shop has been in business in Frankfort for 10 years.

The shop moved down a few storefronts after Kadoura took over last month.

“It was easier to move and remodel than it would have been to remodel the existing space,” he said.

Kadoura also agrees with the Village Board that there are enough tobacco outlets in the village.

“There are five or six tobacco shops and you can buy tobacco products at Walgreens, gas stations and convenience stores,” he said. “To be honest, that’s good enough.”

Kadoura said Bazaar Tobacco features a 32x7 foot cigar room.

“We have cigars that go from $1.99 to $26.99,” he said. “The expensive ones are made from Cuban seed tobacco.”

Kadoura said another improvement was the addition of lottery sales at the shop.

Hours for Bazaar Tobacco are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

For information, call 815-464-0000 or email bazaartobacco@yahoo.com.

Shoppers World Opens Tomorrow in Matteson

New York-based SW Group will open Shoppers World, a discount retailer, tomorrow at Matteson Plaza, 4055 W. Lincoln Highway in Matteson.

This Shoppers World is no relation to the discount stores of the same name that dotted the South Side of Chicago and south suburbs in the 1960s. This one began in Baltimore in the early 1950s and took its name in 1972 when it opened a store in Elizabeth, N.J.

The chain carries menswear, womenswear, lingerie, shoes, school and work uniforms, toys, home furnishings, linens and gift items. The Matteson Shoppers World is its 26th store with locations in New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

Other Illinois stores are in Gurnee Mills in Gurnee and River Oaks West in Calumet City.

For information and hours, call 708-748-6530.

Crest Lighting Closing in Orland

Crestwood-based Crest Lighting is closing its lighting showrooms in Orland Park and Lisle but will keep open stores in New Lenox and Chicago.

Both locations – 14355 S. LaGrange Road in Orland and 1600 W. Ogden in Lisle – started liquidation sales last week and will probably be closed by the end of next week, an employee at the Orland store said Wednesday.

Calls to the Crestwood office were referred to co-owner Marty Kramer, who was unavailable.

For information, visit the company’s website at http://www.evergreenoak.com/.

Frangella Italian Market Closes in Orland

Frangella Italian Market in Orland Park closed recently.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Frangella Italian Imports, 11925 S. 80th Avenue in Palos Park, recently closed its second store at 178th Street and Wolf Road in Orland Park, but will continue to serve its Italian deli sandwiches, pasta and ethnic specialties at the Palos location.

The phone number at the Orland store, which was called Frangella Italian Market, has been changed to the same number as the Palos location (708-448-2598). The Orland location opened in July 2010.

Orland Creamery to Reopen Friday

The Creamery Ice Cream shop at 9320 W. 171st St. in Orland Hills will reopen on Friday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information, call 708-873-1297 or visit its website at http://www.mycreamery.com/.

Locations in Frankfort and Mokena reopened last week, while locations in New Lenox, Homer Glen and Manhattan stayed open all winter this year.

The location in Manteno will be opening Friday, March 23.

Gas N Wash Grand Opening

Gas N Wash, 8810 W. 191st St. in Mokena, will hold its ribbon cutting and grand opening at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. Everyone is welcome. The gas station, car wash, convenience store and Dunkin Donuts have been open for a couple of weeks already.

Free Pizza at Speedway on Friday

Speedway stations in the Southland that sell pizza will be giving away free slices of pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Not all stations carry pizza so you might want to check your favorite location to make sure it will be participating.

Plass to Hold Lost Its Lease Sale Starting Saturday

Plass Appliance will start a store liquidation sale Saturday in Tinley Park.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


Plass Appliance and Furniture will begin a lost-our-lease moving sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at its Tinley Park store at 9501 W. 171st St.

A store spokesman said everyone is welcome and customers do not need special invitations that were mailed out last weekend.

The spokesman said everything in the store has been marked down and inventory includes washers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers.

The Tinley store opened 10 years ago.

Plass began a liquidation sale last month at its Arlington Heights location.

The spokesman said the company’s remaining five locations would remain open as usual after the Tinley store closes.

For information, call 708-349-2062 or visit its website at http://www.plassappliance.com/.

Sugarless Bakery Closes in Mokena

Sugarless World Bakery closed suddenly and without warning on Feb. 15 at 19458 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. Messages on the company’s Facebook page, website and phone number say the store is closed indefinitely.

The store, which catered to diabetics and others who were trying to cut their sugar intake, was opened in August by father and daughter Richard and Marie Martinez.

Oak Forest Fleadh is Saturday

The third annual Oak Forest Fleadh is Saturday and includes a parade, run, bike ride, pub crawl and other festivities.

Bars and restaurants will be serving up drink and food specials all day and you can get free Italian beef sandwiches at Cindy’s Pub, 5230 W. 159th St., starting at 10 a.m.

For a complete list of events and participating businesses, visit

http://www.oak-forest.org/community/OakForestFleadh.asp.

Tinley Goes Green on Sunday

While Oak Forest will color itself green on Saturday, downtown Tinley Park will wait until Sunday to do the honors with a parade down Oak Park Avenue at 2 p.m.

Businesses up and down Oak Park are planning events to coincide with the parade or get a jump on the celebration. Durbin’s is having entertainment and food and drink specials. Ed and Joe’s is serving up Irish specialties and entertainment.

For a rundown, check out the Tinley Park Patch.

Hawg’s and Dogs Open Again

Hawg’s and Dogs reopened this week at 7940 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort after being closed for February for winter break. The eatery is featuring a buy one hot dog, get one free special daily from 2-4 p.m. For information, call 815-469-6946 or visit their website at http://www.hawgs-n-dogs.com/.

Sauk Trail Food & Liquors Has New Owner

Shobhar Chavda is the new owner of Sauk Trail Food & Liquors at 166 W. Sauk Trail in the La Petite Plaza in South Chicago Heights. The store sells general household products, beverages, beer and wine. A grand opening will be scheduled for a later date.

Dickey’s Grand Opening on Friday

Dickey's Barbecue in Orland Park is holding grand opening ceremonies on Friday.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 15110 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 9.

WCCQ DJ Roy Gregory will be broadcasting from there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Texas-style smokehouse, which opened in January, will feature $1 sandwiches and a chance to win free barbecue for a year (winner must be present).

Orland Plan Commission OKs Tilted Kilt

Plans to open a Tilted Kilt restaurant and sports bar in the former Fat Ricky’s at 16255 S. LaGrange Road won approval last week from the Orland Park Plan Commission.

The proposal also would add more than 1,500 square feet to the building, which was vacated recently when Fat Ricky’s moved into smaller quarters in Tinley Park.

The plan now goes to a Village Board committee for review.

If approved, the restaurant and sports bar – sort of a Gaelic cousin of Hooters with bosomy waitresses wearing plaid miniskirts and open midriffs – would likely open this summer.

A Tilted Kilt opened a few years ago near Chicago Ridge Mall. There were rumors about the same time that a Tilted Kilt was planned for the Boulevard Plaza at 191st Street and LaGrange Road in Mokena – fueled in part because a Tilted Kilt van was parked there for several weeks – but nothing ever materialized.

Fiscal Expert to Discuss State Finances

Ralph Martire, a nationally acclaimed finance and fiscal policy scholar, will discuss Illinois’ dire financial picture at the March 12 Southland Chamber Regional Consensus Luncheon at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. For information and reservations, call the chamber at 708-957-6950 or visit http://www.chicagosouthland.com/.

Yankee Candle Now Open in Tinley

Yankee Candle opened last month in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A Yankee Candle store opened last month next to the GNC store at 7380 W. 191st St. in the Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

The store carries the usual assortment of candles and fragrances made by Yankee Candle.

For information and hours, call 815-464-0923 or visit http://www.yankeecandle.com/.

Sarku Japan at Ford City

Sarku Japan, a restaurant that features Japanese cuisine including teriyaki and tempura, opened recently in the Ford City Shopping Mall food court at 71st Street and Cicero Avenue on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

J.D. & Sons Opens in South Chicago Heights

A new discount retailer called J.D. & Sons Sales opened recently at 168 W. Sauk Trail in South Chicago Heights. For hours and more information, call 708-755-7555.

Country Charm Parking Woes

I drove by Country Charm restaurant at 101 Lincolnway Drive in New Lenox the other day and saw huge sewer pipes filling the parking lot in front of the business (part of the U.S. 30 project) and thought it might be the kiss of death. Lots of local businesses have suffered similar fates in the name of progress.

Then I received an email from Country Charm that said it is business as usual at the breakfast and lunch eatery thanks to a huge parking lot in the rear of the building with access from Andersen Road to the west and Lincolnway Drive to the east.

For information, call 815-485-3996 or visit them online at http://www.thecharmonline/.

Business Unwrapped in Orland Park

Jim Harmening, a former business columnist during my days at the Daily Southtown, will discuss technology for small businesses at a Business Unwrapped brown bag lunch seminar from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orland Park Library, 14920 S. Ravinia Ave. Jim owns a computer consulting company called Computer Bits Inc. and really knows his stuff.

New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center to Open on Friday

A Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open on Friday in New Lenox.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open at 8 a.m. Friday, March 9, at 441 E. Lincoln Highway, next to the Walmart.

The 19,034-square-foot store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with giveaways and special events including a DJ from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday with hourly contests and prizes, free reusable shopping bags with any purchase (while supplies last), and free Starbucks coffee on Saturday. The first customer of the day and donor of the day on Saturday and Sunday will win a special prize.

There will be a raffle to win a gift basket with autographed photos of Chicago Bulls players Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler, along with a $10 Goodwill gift card.

“There will be fresh inventory arriving hourly,” said Cheryl Lightholder, manager, communications of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., which oversees the Chicago area. “We will have one-of-a-kind items and new product from national retailers.”

The store and donation center will be open seven days a week. Store hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The donation center opens an hour earlier each day.

Scott Kraatz is the store manager. The store will have 41 employees with more than half being New Lenox residents and the remainder coming from Manhattan, Homer Glen, Joliet, Mokena, Rockdale and Alsip, said Lightholder.

For information, call 815-463-8832 or visit http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/.

Danny’s Corner Evicted

Cook County Sheriff’s Police on Wednesday placed an eviction notice on Danny’s Corner, 9400 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

But it looks like things may be back to normal soon. Apparently, the business was sold to a new owner who plans to reopen – possibly as soon as this week – with the same hours, staff and menu.

Merlin’s Muffler Opens in Lockport

The new Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop opened last week at 983 E. 9th St. in Lockport. For information and hours, call 815-838-1100 or visit http://www.merlins.com/lockport.

El Potro Opens in Frankfort

A Mexican restaurant called El Potro opened recently at 7818 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort, in the rear kitchen at All Star Sports Bar. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. For information, call 815-464-5664.

Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Mark your calendars for tomorrow if you love pretzels because it's Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's pretzel shops in malls across the Southland.

Pretzel lovers can get a free original pretzel or a cinnamon sugar pretzel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Auntie Anne's shops at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park, Ford City Mall on Chicago's Southwest Side, River Oaks Center in Calumet City, Westfield Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet and Westfield Southlake Mall in Merrillville (or is it Hobart) in northwest Indiana.

5 Guys Burgers Opens in Matteson

Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened this week in Matteson.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Virginia-based Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened its fourth Southland location this week in a strip center at U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue in Matteson.

The gourmet burger joint opened on Monday and is the 29th Illinois restaurant for the chain that started 25 years ago in Arlington, Virginia.

The restaurant serves burgers with up to 15 different toppings, hot dogs, three veggie sandwiches and fries.

The Matteson location, like most others, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no drive-through.
For information, call 708-283-4515 or visit http://www.fiveguys.com/.

There are two Five Guys locations in Orland Park and another in Chicago Ridge.

Papa John’s Opens in Palos

Indiana-based Papa John’s pizza opened its eighth Southland location recently at 7154 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights.

The pizzeria is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for delivery and carry out orders and accepts online orders.

For information, call 708-361-5050 or visit. http://www.papajohns.com/.

Frankfort Business Expo This Saturday

The 28th annual Frankfort Business Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Lincoln-Way East High School fieldhouse in Frankfort. The public is welcome and admission is free.

More than 100 local businesses are expected to be on hand along with former Bears lineman Steve McMichael who will be signing autographs from 10 a.m. to noon.

For information, visit http://www.frankfortchamber.com/.

Garrett to Address Rotary

Jim Garrett, CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker for the Lansing Rotary Club meeting at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Popolano’s Restaurant. Lunch costs $10. For reservations, call Dick Turek at 708-895-0300.

Home & Garden Show in Tinley

Tinley Park is hosting the Springtime Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Convention Center, which will feature more than 250 exhibitors and offer seminars on backyard vegetable gardens, spring bulbs and perennials and backyard living spaces.

Show hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older and free for 18 and younger.

Ted’s Greenhouse in Tinley Park will have plants and perennials for sale.

For information, call 800-883-7469 or visit http://www.homeshowpros.com/ for discounted admission.