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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.

Evergreen Park's Wolf’s Bakery Carries on Dressel’s Tradition

Wolf's Bakery in Evergreen Park sells its own version of the Dressel Classic chocolate fudge whipped cream cake.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

When I was a kid, you knew it was going to be a good time when a Dressel’s chocolate fudge whipped cream cake made its way to the table. Apparently, so did everyone else of my generation who grew up on the South Side or in the south suburbs.

The cakes were sold at the Dressel’s Bakery and were readily available frozen in most Chicago-area supermarkets. That is, until the company that had acquired the bakery closed up shop many years ago.

A few years ago, while I was still toiling at the SouthtownStar, columnist Phil Kadner wrote about the Dressel’s cake that we all so loved.

After some taste tests, it was determined that Baumann’s Bakery in Palos Heights had a cake that was pretty darn close to the Dressel’s original.

And now Baumann’s is closing its doors for the last time tomorrow. As sad as that is, it’s not the end of the line for the famed Dressel’s cake.

The Dressel’s Classic lives on at Wolf’s Bakery in Evergreen Park, which has been serving baked goods since 1939.

In fact, Wolf’s Bakery at 3241 W. 95th St. has been selling its version of the cake for some time now.

“We’ve been selling it for a year or two,” said Nancy Dineen, manager at the bakery. “We sell quite a few every day. We make them fresh every day.”

The cakes come in one size, seven inches, and sell for $15.99.

“Each one serves from six to eight,” said Dineen. “I’ve eaten several. It tastes just like the old Dressel’s cake.”

Another sweet disaster averted thanks to the folks at Wolf’s Bakery.

The bakery is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

For information, call 708-422-7429 or visit them online atWolf’s Bakery.

TCBY Back in Orland Park

TCBY opened recently at 14658 S. LaGrange Road in the former Extreme Pita location in the Coopers Square shopping center in Orland Park.

The 1,400-square-foot location is the frozen yogurt company’s 15th store in Illinois and replaces a store that closed a few months ago at 158th and LaGrange.

Rami Kashkeesh is the owner of the new store.

Burger King Burns Down

Whopper fans in South Chicago Heights are out of luck since a fire earlier this week destroyed the longtime Burger King restaurant at 3219 Chicago Road in the southeastern Cook County suburb. No one was hurt in the blaze.

McDonald’s Closes for Renovation

The McDonald’s restaurant at 515 Ridge Road in Munster closed this week and will be torn down to make room for a new, improved state-of-the-art restaurant in the northwest Indiana suburb.

The franchise owner is asking customers to frequent his other locations in neighboring Highland.

A business owner in Lansing reported that traffic at the McDonald’s in that suburb had noticeably picked up since the Munster location closed.

The new McDonald’s is expected to reopen later this year.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Marathon Station Under Construction

A former Speedway station at 15301 S. Harlem Ave. is being converted into a Marathon station.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Construction is under way on a Marathon gas station at 15301 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park. The station used to be a Speedway gas station and a Super America station before that. A media contact for Marathon said the station is independently owned and he did not have any information about when the station would be opening.

Four Winds to Open New Tower

Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich., will open a new, nine-story tower on Friday, which will add 250 rooms to the casino’s hotel and more than double the number of rooms and suites available.

The new tower is just one of three new improvements to the casino.

On July 7, Rod Stewart will open the Silver Creek Event Center in a sold-out show.  On July 11, the casino will welcome a 12,000-square-foot Hard Rock Café. The café will have two levels with seating for 275 and a stage for live music.

For information, call 1-866-494-6371 or visit Four WindsCasino.

Last Call for Baumann’s Bakery

Baumann’s Bakery at 12248 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights has dealt with some tough problems in recent years including a car driving through the front window last month and co-owner Ray Baumann’s health issues that required a liver transplant.

The last straw apparently was the recent retirement of its longtime baker.

Co-owner Cathy Baumann decided enough was enough and will close the bakery for the last time on Saturday. She’s trying to find a buyer for the business, which she and Ray have owned for almost 30 years.

Vote Expected on Field of Dreams

The City Council in Dyersville, Iowa, is expected to vote next week on annexing property that was the site of the “Field of Dreams” baseball movie starring Kevin Costner.

The land is being acquired by Oak Lawn residents Michael and Denise Stillman, who have ambitious plans to build a baseball and softball complex called All-Star Ballpark Heaven on the property.

Dyersville city officials recently approved a memorandum of understanding with the Stillmans regarding the property and the project.

Iowa state officials are on board with the plan and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a state tax break for the project.

A call to Denise Stillman at All-Star Ballpark Heaven was not returned.

Toy Box Connection Seeks Sponsors

Orland Park-based Toy Box Connection, a nonprofit organization that connects children in need with the gift of a toy, will be hosting its third annual Charity Golf Outing at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park on Monday, July 30, and is looking for golfers and sponsors.

Golfers can register individually or as a foursome. Along with 18 holes of golf with a cart, the event will include a continental breakfast, lunch, beverages on the course, a steak dinner, raffle prizes and contests.  Special pricing is available for groups signing up as a foursome. 

Sponsorship and prize/raffle donation opportunities are also available.  Sponsorships include tee/hole sponsors, beverage cart sponsors and lunch and dinner sponsors.  All sponsors and prize donors will be listed in the event/dinner program.  Discounted prices are available when sponsorship is combined with a foursome of golf.  All sponsorship costs are tax deductible. 

Toy Box Connection was started in June 2008 by Michelle Maxia, an Orland Park mother of two and retired police officer.  Its primary goal is to touch the life of a child through the gift of a toy.  Since its inception, Toy Box Connection has distributed more than 1 million toys to nonprofits that, in turn, have given them to thousands of children in need.  Such nonprofits include Together We Cope, Loyola’s Ronald McDonald House, Lambsfold Women’s Center and Mooseheart Orphanage. 

For information, call Joyce Latkowski at 708-364-9024 or visit Toy Box Connection. 

Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Awards Scholarships

The Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club earlier this month handed out scholarships to local students heading to college this fall. Students who received $1,000 scholarships were Andrew High School graduate Nicholas Lew, Lincoln-Way East High School graduate Julianne Sipos, Tinley Park High School graduate Rachel Gattone and Lincoln-Way North High School graduate Dena Waldier. Lisa Hurdle, a graduate from Tinley Park High School, received a $500 scholarship for her community service efforts and fundraising for the school’s Interact Club, a Rotary sponsored service club.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Rue 21 to Open in Tinley Park

Rue21 will open a store later this year in Tinley Park.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Rue 21, a national fashion retailer for young men and women, has signed a lease to open a new store in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.

The 5,800-square-foot store will be between Walt’s Foods and Bath & Body Works in the plaza, Brixmor Property Group announced. The company owns and manages the plaza.

The store is expected to open in late summer or early fall.

Rue 21 is based in Warrendale, Pa., and operates 770 stores in 46 states.

The lease is one of three the retailer signed last month with Brixmor.

For more information, visit Rue 21.

Burger Joint Opens in New Lenox

A new burger joint called aptly enough Goodburger opened last week at 1880 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox, across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School in the former Wynder’s hot dog restaurant, which closed in February.

According to its menu, Goodburger uses fresh burgers, not frozen patties, and also offer charbroiled hot dogs. It also has a kids menu.

Has anyone tried it yet? I’m always looking for a good burger joint.

Free Tickets for Country Throwdown

Toyota Park in Bridgeview is giving away 100 free tickets to Saturday’s Country Throwdown 2012. Visit Free Country Throwdown Tickets for your chance to get a freeticket.

Country stars Gary Allan and Rodney Atkins headline this year’s show that also features Josh Thompson, Sunny Sweeney, Eric Paslay Florida Georgia Line and Maggie Rose.

The event also includes the Bluebird Café Tent, featuring Rose Falcon, Carly Pearce and Channing Wilson, who will perform intimate “in the round” sets throughout the day along with nightly performances during main stage set changes.

Tickets are regularly $40.50 for general admission with 50 cents going to Unite the United charity.

Folding chairs are allowed in the stadium but no blanket seating.

Tailgating begins at 11 a.m. when the parking lot opens. Doors open at 2 p.m. The show starts at 3:30 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.

Deadline Friday for Art Fair Registration, Sponsors

Friday is the last day for artists and sponsors to register for the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fine Art Fair on July 21-22.


The chamber will host the Fine Art Fair on July 21-22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orland Park Crossing shopping center.

In addition to the artists, free entertainment will be provided by local musicians, dancers and performing arts groups. There will be special activities for children.

Artists who are chamber members can reserve a 10-by-10 booth space for $100.  Spaces for non-chamber member artists are $125.

The chamber also is looking for artists to create a winning design for the commemorative Art Fair T-shirt to be sold at the fair. 

For information, call the chamber at 708-349-2972.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

State Street to be Closed July 5 in Downtown Lockport

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a culvert replacement project on Milne Creek will require closing State Street (Illinois 171) between Seventh and Eighth streets in downtown Lockport for approximately three months beginning July 5.

Access to residences, businesses and side streets north and south of Milne Creek will be maintained, however, through traffic will not be permitted. Detour routes will be posted.

Southbound traffic will be detoured west on Main and Illinois streets in Lemont, south on New Avenue, west on 135th Street, south on Illinois 53 and east on Illinois 7 to reconnect with Illinois 171.

Northbound traffic will be detoured west on Illinois 7, north on Illinois 53 and east on 135th Street, north on New Avenue and east on Illinois and Main streets in Lemont to reconnect with Illinois 171.

The improvements consist of replacing the culvert where Milne Creek flows under State Street with a new steel-lined structure.

The tentative completion date is Oct. 1.

Motorists should anticipate delays and allow extra time for trips through this area.

For information on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1, visit http://www.dot.state.il.us. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.

Former Bear Doug Buffone Birthday Bash at Sam’s Triple Crown

Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone will celebrate his birthday
Wednesday night at Sam's Triple Crown in Orland Hills.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone will celebrate his 68th birthday with other Bears alumni from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday night at Sam’s Triple Crown, 9201 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills.

Joining Buffone will be former Bears Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson and Ed O’Bradovich, said manager Tony Mannerino who added that a few more Bears alumni are also expected to drop by.

Buffone played 15 seasons with the Bears after being drafted in 1966. He still holds team records for most sacks in a season and most career interceptions.

Mannerino said there is no charge to attend and drink specials that night include UV martinis for $3.75, Jaeger barrels for $3.25 and imported beer in bottles for $2.50.


New Jewel-Osco to Open Thursday Morning in Palos Heights

The new Jewel-Osco store in Palos Heights will open at 6 a.m. Thursday.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Jewel-Osco will open a new and improved supermarket at 6 a.m. Thursday at 12803 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights, only a few feet away from an aging existing store.

Jewel is holding an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new store Wednesday evening after the existing store closes for the last time at 6 p.m. The pharmacy will close at 4 p.m.

“The old store is more than 45 years old,” said Karen May, external communications manager for Jewel. “It has been there since 1967.”

“The new store will be more than 50,000 square feet and feature a lot of the more modern amenities,” May said. Those features include a cheese shop, soup, wings and olive bars, and self-checkout lanes, as well as skylights.

The new store also will serve sushi, gluten-free products, organic produce and ethnic foods.

 The new store will feature an expanded bakery, liquor department and a larger pharmacy with a consultation room, a TCF Bank branch, and a Red Box movie rental kiosk.

“There also will be a pharmacy kiosk in the parking lot so customers can drive up and get their prescriptions,” May said.

Plans call for the old store to be demolished starting in early July and turned into a parking lot.

“Once the old store is knocked down,” May said. “Work on the pharmacy kiosk will begin. I expect it to be installed in August.”

“There are 153 employees moving over from the old store,” May said adding from 15-20 new associates will be added.

While many Jewel stores have been remodeled and expanded recently, this is only the second Jewel that is being completely replaced by a new store in past two years, May said. The other one opened in the fall of 2010 in Chicago’s Lakeview community.

The new store will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight. Pharmacy hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Later this year, Wendy’s will build a restaurant in an outlot on the property.

Tinley to Expand Rec Center
The Tinley Park-Park District is expected this week to open bids on a major expansion of the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center.

Bids are due by 10 a.m. Friday for construction of a 30,000-square-foot addition to the center at 8125 W. 171st St., which opened a decade ago. The park board expects to award the contracts at its meeting on Wednesday, July 11.

The construction project has a $4.5 million estimated cost with about $1 million coming from existing funds. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed late next year.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Sara Lee to Shut Outlet Stores in Homewood, Oak Lawn

Sara Lee will close its outlet stores in Oak Lawn (pictured) and Homewood. -- Courtesy Oak Lawn Patch
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The impending split of Sara Lee Corp. into a global coffee company and a North American operation under the Hillshire Brands banner, also means the demise of its 11 outlet stores including locations in Homewood and Oak Lawn.

The store manager in Oak Lawn said regular customers had been coming into the store today lamenting its eventual closing.

The Oak Lawn store is at 5711 W. 95th St. and the Homewood store is at 18400 Governors Highway.

Matt Pakula, senior manager for corporate communications for Sara Lee, said there was no timetable for the closings but said the stores will close by the end of November.

Pakula said Hillshire Brands would not be able to devote the “attention required for success in stand-alone retail operations.”

Each store employs about seven people.

New book store opens at Chicago Ridge Mall
Books-a-Million opened its third Chicago-area bookstore on Thursday inside the former Borders Express at Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge.

Books-a-Million is the third largest books retailer in the United States with more than 250 stores.

Manager Brandon Wolak said the company has been successful in the South and decided the recent demise of Borders gave it an opportunity to expand in the North. The retailer opened a store in Southlake Mall in Hobart, Ind., late last year and will open another store in a couple of weeks at Fox Valley Center in Aurora. The company has had a store in downtown Chicago for a while, Wolak said.

Wolak said there is still demand for books.

“We have more than enough customers who don’t like to read ebooks or books online,” he said. “They like the feel of a real book.”

The Chicago Ridge location is located close to Sears in the mall and is smaller than most Books-a-Million locations. Wolak said that despite its size, the store features a Joe Muggs Café coffee shop and espresso bar, books, magazines, cards, gifts and collectible supplies.

The store employs seven to eight people, he said.

For information, call 708-423-4285 or visit Books-a-Million.


Fox Head to open next week
Fox Head Inc., which made its name with a worldwide brand of motocross apparel and has since branched out into other performance sports, is scheduled to open its only Chicago-area store at Orland Square Mall on Monday. The company was started as Fox Racing in 1974 in Campbell, Calif.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Mid-Oak Distillery Opens in Southland

Customers sample CD Vodka in the tasting room at Mid-Oak Distillery in Midlothian.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

If Matt Altman succeeds, the south suburbs may soon be known for its … vodka?

Altman, 33, a lifelong Midlothian resident last week opened Mid-Oak Distillery at 4704 W. 147th St. in Midlothian’s Tiffany Plaza, where he produces CD Vodka.
 
“I was home brewing my own beer for years, and a friend of ours from New Zealand told us that we should get into craft distilling,” he said explaining the evolution from home brew master to commercial distiller.

“He said craft liquors were going to be the next big thing and here we are.”

Altman said the journey was not always an easy one.

“If you ask my wife, she’s now on board with this,” he said with a laugh. “But at the beginning …”

And making your own vodka is certainly not cheap.

“Everything we use is from the Midwest and that means it’s more expensive than if we got it from China,” he said. That includes everything from the bottles, which are made in Glenview and screened in Milwaukee, to the corn used to make the vodka, which is grown right here in Illinois.

Altman opened the Mid-Oak tasting room on June 14 after the village granted his a business license the night before.

“Response from the village has been so great,” he said.

Altman said the first batch of CD Vodka left the distillery last week and should be available at most south suburban bars including Sullivan’s in Midlothian as well as select liquor stores including Madori’s Liquor & Deli at 14710 S. Cicero Ave. in Midlothian.

You can also sample CD Vodka on Saturday at Bobby McGee’s, 10139 S. Harlem Ave. in Chicago Ridge. 

The CD Vodka Girls will be offering free tastings from 9-11 p.m.  The bar also will feature CD Vodka in $3 Bullfrogs all night.

Customers can sample CD Vodka at the tasting room, which is right next door to the distillery. If they like what they try, they can buy it there, as well.

“We can make 15 cases of vodka a day,” Altman said.

Mid-Oak at present only sells CD Vodka in 750 ml bottles (for $24.99), but that will change as the business grows. Altman said flavored vodkas will be coming later along with different sized bottles.

Different spirits may also be available in the future.

“We’re only in the preliminary stages,” Altman said. “But I plan on producing an American-made single-malt whiskey.”

For information on availability of CD Vodka and tasting room hours, call 708-925-9318, email them at admin@cdvodka.com, visit Mid-OakDistillery or check out their Facebook page.

Ultra Opens in Crestwood
Ultra Foods finally opened today at 13180 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood. The opening took longer than expected because of extensive remodeling required for the former Dominick’s Finer Foods.

Flossmoor Farmer’s Market Opens
The Flossmoor Farmers Market is now open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays at the Flossmoor Library parking lot, 1000 Sterling Ave.  It will run through Oct. 12.

Get Down with WCCQ Personalities
Roy Gregory from 98.3 WCCQ will broadcast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Aqua Pools in Homer Glen. Visitors will get a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw at Soldier Field.

WCCQ’s Bossman will host a pre-concert tailgate party from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday at Odyssey Sweet Spot Sports Bar in Tinley Park leading up to that night’s concert by Sugarland at the amphitheatre.

There will be a bags tournament, flippy cup, mechanical bull, Zip Line ride, BBQ and red solo cup drink specials.

Bossman will be giving away free pairs of lawn tickets every 30 minutes.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Odyssey Fun World Opens State's First Mobile Zip Line Ride in Tinley Park

Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park has opened a Zip Line ride.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Odyssey Fun World at 19111 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park last week opened the state’s first mobile Zip Line ride.

“It’s an extreme ride,” said General Manager Clint Paraday describing the ride that lasts only seconds but packs a wallop. “We opened it on Friday and the crowd response was phenomenal.”

Paraday said the ride Zip Line tower stands 30-feet high and the line stretches out to 130 feet long. There is a 60-pound minimum weight and a 250-pound maximum. 

“The heavier you are, the faster you go,” Paraday said. 

The Zip Line is one of many improvements Paraday has brought to the amusement park in the past year including a corn maize last Halloween and a musical light show at Christmastime.

“We’re trying to stay relevant,” he said. “We had 30,000 people go through the corn maize in 30 days last year and it’s going to be even better this year.”

The Zip Line ride is set up next to the go-cart track and while it will stay put this season, Paraday has big plans for next year.

“For insurance reasons, we aren’t taking it out this year,” he said. “But next year I plan to have it at festivals, Tinley Park Caribbean Days and other outdoor events.”

A ride costs $10.

For information, call 708-429-3800 or visit Odyssey Fun World.

New Owner for Joan’s Place
Kenneth Mandernach’s West End 6950 Corp. is the new owner of Joan’s Place at 6950 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. The village granted the new owners a liquor license last month.

Beverly Closings
Café 103 at 1909 W. 103rd St. in Chicago’s Beverly community and its sister business, Beverly’s Pantry at 1907 W. 103rd St. both closed recently.

Free Shredding
Parkway Bank & Trust at 14345 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is offering free shredding to the community from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. You can bring up to five boxes of personal documents to be shredded. For information, call 708-460-4888.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Orland Berkot’s to Open on Thursday

Berkot's Super Foods will open its newest store in Orland Park on Thursday,
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Berkot’s Super Foods will open its newest store at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 21, at 11333 W. 159th St. in Orland Park’s Wolf Crossing Plaza.

The 40,000-square-foot store will be the Mokena-based chain’s largest and will feature its highly regarded meat department, produce department, deli and bakery.

Grand opening events will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. The first 100 customers each day will receive a free bag of groceries.

Each day, Berkot’s will play “Check-out Bingo” every 15 minutes and the winner will receive a $10 gift card for their next visit and a chance to spin the Prize Wheel with prizes ranging from appliances to movie passes to a $1,000 shopping spree grand prize.

On Friday, former Black Hawks star Dennis Savard will be at the store from 6-7:30 p.m. promoting Savy’s Pizza. On Saturday, former Bears star Richard Dent will be on hand from 2-4 p.m. to promote MillerCoors.
Berkot’s opened its first store in Mokena in 1990 and has 12 other locations in the Southwest Suburbs.

Cleaners Closes in Orland
AmeriClean Cleaners recently shut its doors at 11021 W. 179th St. in Orland Park.

Odyssey Sweet Spot Hosts Chamber
Odyssey Sweet Spot sports bar and driving range at 19110 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park will show off its new beer garden while hosting a Business After Hours for the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Aladdin’s Cave Resale Shop Opens
A resale shop called Aladdin’s Cave opened recently at 509 E. 45th Avenue in Griffith, Ind.

The store specializes in vintage items and antiques.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.

For information, call 219- 972–1715.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Rizza Adds GMC to Tinley Dealership

Rizza has added GMC to its offerings at its Tinley Park dealership.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Rizza Cars, Chicagoland Automotive Group, has added a GMC franchise to its Tinley Park location at 8425 W. 159th St. GMC joins Buick and Cadillac at the dealership.

GMC models include SUVs such as Acadia, Terrain and Yukon, as well as Sierra and Canyon trucks.

Rizza also sells Acura, Ford, Kia, Porsche and Saab at dealerships in Orland Park and North Riverside.

 For more information, visit Rizza Cars.

Journeys Backyard Barbecue Hits Orland Park
Motocross meets music when Journeys Backyard Barbecue hits Orland Square Mall from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Metal Mulisha freestyle motocross team will perform three times (12:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) as it shows off by doing can-cans, black flips and the kiss of death. 

Osiris has a team of skateboard pros that will perform at 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. on a 48-foot-wide Super Mini Ramp. Performers include Corey Duffel, Chad Bartie, Caswell Berry, JT Aultz, Kellen James and Pierre-Luc Gagnon. They will hold autograph sessions after each performance.

After a battle of the bands, musical performers will include Hit the Lights at 4:40 p.m. and Never Shout Never from 6-6:45 p.m.


For more information, visit Journeys Backyard Barbecue.

Marquette Bank Holds Appreciation Week
Marquette Bank will be holding its annual Customer and Neighbor Appreciation Week from June 16-23 at branches in the Southland.

The bank will kick off the week by holding a Free Family Party featuring Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orland Park branch at 7560 W. 159th St.

Customers and neighbors are invited to come see Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures show featuring alligators and snakes, enjoy refreshments and participate in fun activities.

Saturday is also Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day at all Marquette locations.  Neighbors are encouraged to join the movement toward local banking and strengthening our local economy.  Stop in at any Marquette Bank location for new customer specials and free credit history reports. 

Bank branches also will offer free financial services such as estate planning, retirement checkup, home financing review, and an online bill pay demonstration. 

Marquette will offer free document shredding on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at 6316 S. Western Ave. in Chicago, 5700 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest and 17865 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park. Shredding will be offered on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at branches in Bolingbrook, New Lenox and 8855 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Oak Lawn.

Marquette Bank’s Customer and Neighbor Appreciation Week will also feature Free On-site Document Shredding at several of its locations on Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, June 23.  Customers can help prevent identity theft by shredding old statements, bills and documents.  Document Shredding will be available at the following locations:
For information, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit www.emarquettebank.com.

Mackey’s Pub Opens in Orland
John Mackey, who has owned Ryan’s Pub in Frankfort since 1997, has opened a new bar and restaurant called, aptly enough, Mackey’s Pub at 9400 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

Mackey’s Pub opened last month and features a full bar, specialty martinis and a menu that includes the family’s famous fried chicken.

John and his wife, Maureen, first got started in the bar business when they opened Paddy B’s in 1983 in Orland Park. They sold it in 1997 shortly before buying Ryan’s Pub.

Walt’s Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Walt’s Foods is celebrating its 75th anniversary this week with gift certificate giveaways – just register at any store – and a Hot Dog Stand on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where you can get a hot dog, chips and a pop for $1.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

AMC Theatres Opens MacGuffin’s Bar in Chicago Ridge Mall

AMC Theatres has put in new seats and screens
and opened MacGuffin's Bar
inside Chicago Ridge Mall.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

 Moviegoers who see a show at Chicago Ridge Mall can now enjoy a cold one while catching a flick.

AMC Theatres, which is in the midst of a major renovation at the mall and has already finished updating the seats and screens at two of the six theaters it operates inside the mall, opened MacGuffin’s Bar and a new concession stand on June 1.

The bar offers beer, wine and cocktails to patrons 21 and older who can meet before a show, recap a movie they have just seen or take their drink of choice into the theater to enjoy while watching a film.

Opening MacGuffin’s is part of AMC’s plan to expand food and drink options at locations nationwide. The chain also has opened MacGuffin’s at AMC Showplace Village Crossing 18 in Skokie and AMC Randhurst 12 in Mount Prospect. 

The name of the bar is an homage to famed director Alfred Hitchcock who used the term to describe a plot device that drives the story.

The other four AMC screens and seats at Chicago Ridge Mall are expected to be fully updated by next month.

For more information about the theatre or to order tickets, visit AMC Theatres Chicago Ridge.

Share Your Soles Needs New Home
Alsip-based Share Your Soles Foundation, a non-profit organization that has been bringing shoes to desperately impoverished people throughout the world for the past 12 years, has to vacate its warehouse by the end of June and is looking for a new home.

Founder Mona Purdy is looking for a vacant warehouse that the group can use. You can contact her at 708-448-4469 or via email at info@shareyoursoles.org.

Rent-a-Center Opens in Tinley
Rent-a-Center, a household appliance rent-to-own company, is now open at 17101 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park in the former Hollywood Video location in the Jewel-Osco plaza. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Sundays. For information, call 708-263-6225 or visit Rent-a-Center.

Pittsburg Paints Closes
The Pittsburg Paints store closed recently at 9212 W. 159th St. in Orland Park’s Park Hill Plaza.

Gas Station Switches Brand
Has anyone noticed that the gas station at 19301 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena has changed over to Mobil? It used to be some kind of cut-rate gas station and was a Clark station years ago.

Dad’s Deal of the Week
Ed and Joe’s in Tinley Park has a deal for Father’s Day. Purchase a $25 gift card for Dad and you get a certificate good for one free 16-inch pizza with one topping in July. Offer is good through Sunday, June 17.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.


Bank Acquires Sam Maguire’s

State Bank of Countryside last week acquired the former Sam Maguire's Irish Pub at auction.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

State Bank of Countryside is the new owner of the former Sam Maguire’s Irish Pub, which closed in Orland Park without warning in early January.

The bank was the only bidder for the property at 39 Orland Square Drive, which was auctioned off on Friday.

A foreclosure lawsuit was filed by the bank in September 2011 against the popular Orland Park restaurant seeking more than $2.2 million from restaurant owners Michael Wilke, Marian Wilke and MTT Investments LLC.

“All the parties involved wanted to move this sale along,” said Michael Coughlin, an attorney with Burke & Handley, who handled the case.

The sale will become final after it is approved by a foreclosure judge in Cook County.

Sam Maguire’s had been for sale for months before it closed with an asking price of $2.7 million. The property is still listed at online realty websites as being for sale with an asking price of $2.2 million.

Torrid Reopens in Orland Square

Torrid, a clothing store for plus-size women, has reopened in its new location in the upper level JCPenney Court at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. The new store is next to The Body Shop. For information, call 708-226-1860 or visit Torrid Orland Square Mall.

Brannigan Chiropractic Hosts BAH

Brannigan Chiropractic, 1400 Ravinia Place in Orland Park, will celebrate its 10th anniversary by hosting a Business after Hours for the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

For information or to RSVP, call the chamber at 708- 349-2972 or visit Orland Park Chamber.

Garrett to Address Oak Lawn Chamber

Jim Garrett from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau will be guest speaker at the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. June 12 at the Hilton Oak Lawn, 9333 S. Cicero Ave.
After the lunch, Laura Urban of Globus Family of Brands will have a travel presentation.

Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

For information, call 708-424-8300 or visit the Oak Lawn Chamber.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Oak Lawn Couple Open Marie’s Café

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

When Dean Kochert started looking for a place to open a restaurant of his own, he ruled out being an Italian beef or hot dog kind of place.

“There are plenty of those already,” he said.

Kochert decided on quick casual, a concept he was familiar with after working for years at the Italian Village and Panera.

The result was Marie’s Café and Catering at 3660 W. 111th St. in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, which opened on May 7.

“I’ve worked for a number of fast casual restaurants,” he said. “Marie’s is similar to Corner Bakery or Panera.”

“Our niche is gourmet burgers,” Kochert said. “We have six signature burgers and a BYO burger, all served on a unique butter egg bun; toasted.”

Marie’s also has assorted fresh pastries in the morning, breakfast sandwiches, eight kinds of salads, specialty sandwiches and three Panini sandwiches. For a complete list of their menu items, visit Marie’s Café and Catering.

Kochert and his wife and co-owner, Allison, live in Oak Lawn and wanted to open their café in the village.

“We tried to locate in Oak Lawn,” he said. “We looked and looked and couldn’t find a location that worked.”

They settled on a space owned by St. Xavier University that formerly was a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream shop.

“It’s a good space,” Kochert said. “It seats 55 and is across the street from Mount Greenwood Park, so we get a lot people in from the neighborhood or after they visit the park.”

Kochert said Marie’s has a great stereo system that plays Frank Sinatra music in the morning, easy rock like the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen in the afternoon and dinner music like Natalie Cole in the evenings.

Marie’s is open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, call 773-840-3344 or visit Marie’s Facebook page.

Baise to Address Southland Chamber

Illinois Manufacturers Association President and CEO Gregory W. Baise will talk about the state’s fiscal recovery during his keynote presentation at the June 11 Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce Regional Consensus Luncheon at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

With more than 20 years in the IMA top spot, preceded by several high level state appointments, Baise has an inside track on just about everything in Illinois. He will talk about how to change non-residents’ perception of doing business in Illinois as well as the present state of manufacturing.

The luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m., is open to the public. Reservations are $30 for members, $40 for non-members and can be made on the chamber website, http://www.chicagosouthland.com/, and by telephone at 708-957-6950.

On Stage Salon Opens in Alsip

On Stage Salon, 5418 W. 127th St. in Alsip, held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony last week. For information, call owner Olga Trujillo at 708-239-1111.

Wireless Connection Celebrates Anniversary in Lansing

Wireless Connection, 3320 Ridge Road in Lansing, will celebrate one year in business from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Evergreen Park Market Returns

The Evergreen Park Farmer’s Market resumed today at Yukich Field at 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue, next to the fire station. The Evergreen Park market runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 26.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Oak Lawn Farmer’s Market Returns

The ladies of Sunshine Bakery in Middlebury, Ind., at last year's
Oak Lawn Farmer's Market. Courtesy of Oak Lawn Patch
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

This year’s Farmer’s Market in Oak Lawn will be the biggest yet, said Deputy Village Clerk Chris O’Grady, who has been in charge of the annual market for the past seven years.

“We will have 38 spaces this year,” said O’Grady. “When I started seven years ago we had 10 vendors. We have really grown.”

The market will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 52nd Avenue and Dumke Drive every Wednesday from June 6 to Oct. 17.

O’Grady said there will be five farmers at this year’s market including one returning farmer who sells potted plants.

“I wait until the market starts to buy my plants from him,” said O’Grady. “His potted plants are fantastic and huge.”

“New this year is a cheese vendor,” said O’Grady.

Other vendors will be selling fruits and berries, potatoes, leafy, green vegetables, juices, spices, jellies and jams, bread and pastries, sausages and fresh flowers. There also will be an Amish baker and a knife sharpener.

Oak Lawn Boy Scouts will be serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Polish sausages, chips and soda. Christenson’s Popcorn Wagon will be dishing out snow cones, lemon shake-ups and buckets of popcorn.

“You can find some really nice bargains,” said O’Grady.

She’s also still on the lookout for more vendors.

“I’m looking for an organic farmer,” she said. If there’s one out there, give her a call at Village Hall.

For a complete list of vendors, check out today’s Oak Lawn Patch.

Southland Chamber Names New CEO

David Hinderliter was named recently as new President and CEO of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. He fills a position that has been vacant for more than three years.

A Bourbonnais resident with an extensive executive resume, Hinderliter had led the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1993.

“You have no idea how excited I am to be here,” he said to members and guests at the Southland Chamber Regional Lunch on May 14.

The newly tapped Chamber chief expressed an eagerness to get down to business and push forward in his new position. His work is cut out in an organization that has an 85-community footprint.

Payless Shoesource Reopens

Payless Shoesource has reopened at Orland Square Mall in its new location in the upper level JCPenney Court, next to Home Spa.

Chuck E. Cheese Expanding

Work has begun on a 4,300 square foot addition to the front of Chuck E. Cheese restaurant and arcade at 16090 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

Mokena Chamber Tees it Up

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce will tee off with a shotgun start at noon Wednesday, June 13, at its annual golf outing at Sanctuary Golf Course in New Lenox.

New this year is a giant ball drop on the 16th Hole, a massive putting contest and a hole-in-one contest with the grand prize winner getting a new car from Bettenhausen Automotive.

For information, call the chamber at 708-479-2468.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Tinley Park Trustees to Consider Plans for Golden Corral Buffet

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Tinley trustees are scheduled to consider this week a special use permit and variances for an 11,000 square foot Golden Corral restaurant at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue in two Brementowne Mall outlots.

Plans for the restaurant are scheduled to come before the Village Board on Tuesday night. A site plan was approved by the Plan Commission on May 17, which also held a public meeting on plans that night.

Preliminary plans call for 152 parking spaces, between 130 and 150 employees and seating for 440 in the restaurant that would front 159th Street in front of Menards.

Golden Corral opened in North Carolina in 1973 and bills itself as America’s No. 1 buffet and grill.

The closest restaurants to the Southland are in Joliet, Bolingbrook and Schererville, Ind.

Requests for more information from Golden Corral were not returned.

Olympic Star Open Again

The Olympic Star restaurant, which closed in April for its first renovations since opening in the late 1970s, reopened its new-look quarters this morning at 7100 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park. For information, call 708-532-8900.

Tinley Cruise Nights Begin Tuesday

Car fans take heart, the second annual Tinley Park Cruise Night begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday in downtown Tinley Park. The free car show runs from 5-9 p.m. every Tuesday through August on Oak Park Avenue from 171st Street to the Metra Station. The show is sponsored by VFW Post 2791 and the Tinley Park MainStreet Commission. There will be music, food and beverages and plenty of cars of all ages and models. For information, call 708-444-5678.

Papa’s Pizza Closes in Oak Forest

Papa’s Pizza closed last week at 16040 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest. The pizzeria had been in business for 40-some years.

Southland Chamber Names New CEO

David Hinderliter was named recently as new President and CEO of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. He fills a position that has been vacant for more than three years.

A Bourbonnais resident with an extensive executive resume, Hinderliter had led the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1993.

“You have no idea how excited I am to be here,” he said to members and guests at the Southland Chamber Regional Lunch on May 14.

The newly tapped Chamber chief expressed an eagerness to get down to business and push forward in his new position. His work is cut out in an organization that has an 85-community footprint.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Mokena White Castle to Reopen Sunday

A new White Castle opens Sunday on the site of the previous White Castle in Mokena.
By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Slider fans in the Mokena area who have been without a local White Castle since the location at 191st Street and LaGrange Road was demolished earlier this year take heart, the newly constructed replacement White Castle will open in the same location at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 3.

The new White Castle has the same design as one that opened last year on U.S. 30 in New Lenox, said Bill Thompson, regional director of restaurant operations for White Castle.

“Mokena will have a little bigger dining room,” he said.

The new eatery sports a drive-up lane with two windows, free Wi-Fi and televisions, Thompson said.

White Castle has been a fixture at the intersection of 191st and LaGrange since the company acquired the building from Hardee’s in 1997. The new building eliminates some problems that existed with the previous building, notably the drive-through lane.

Ohio-based White Castle has been operating in the Chicago area since 1929, and the company is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Cheesecake Factory Eyes Orland Square Mall

California-based Cheesecake Factory, perhaps best known for employing Kaley Cuoco’s character Penny on the hit CBS comedy “Big Bang Theory,” plans to locate in Orland Square Mall later this year.

The plan calls for the Cheesecake Factory to move into the Jos. A Bank location and for the menswear retailer to move into the former Ruby Tuesday location. It would be the food chain’s first location in the Southland.

The Cheesecake Factory will be about 11,000 square feet when it opens this fall or winter.

GSU Offers Business Workshop

CenterPoint at Governors State University is sponsoring a series of Starting a Business in Illinois workshops in June for Chicago Southland residents.

The free workshops focus on personal, financial, and legal aspects of starting a business. Participants will learn what steps to take and what resources are available to assist new business owners succeed in today’s challenging economic climate.

A workshop will be presented Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights. Dan McAllister, Regional Representative for GSU CenterPoint, will present the program.

For more information, contact CenterPoint at 708-534-4927 or http://www.centerpointgsu.com/.

Share Your Soles Needs New Home

Alsip-based Share Your Soles Foundation, a non-profit organization that has been bringing shoes to desperately impoverished people throughout the world for the past 12 years, has to vacate its warehouse by the end of June and is looking for a new home.

Founder Mona Purdy is looking for a vacant warehouse that the group can use. You can contact her at 708-448-4469 or via email at info@shareyoursoles.org.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Lincoln Mall Sold to 2 Bidders

Lincoln Mall in Matteson was sold at foreclosure auction Friday to two bidders.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Beleaguered Lincoln Mall hit the auction block on Friday and was sold off to two bidders.

“The sale won’t be final until confirmed by the foreclosure judge,” said Michelle Panovich, a receiver for the mall at U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue in Matteson and a senior vice president with Mid-America Asset Management.

Panovich said the mall was sold as five parcels.

Three of the parcels were acquired by Credit Union Liquidity Services LLC, the Texas-based lender who filed suit against the mall’s owner Realty American for defaulting on a $40 million loan.

She declined to name the other buyer until the court approves the bids. The process should take about 14 days, she said.

The Judicial Sales Corp., which conducted the auction, on its website listed the bid for the two parcels as $154,500, which Panovich confirmed.

“If someone bought it, I’m happy,” said Panyovich about the sale. “The buyer said they intend to keep the mall open.”

The mall has been on a decline for more than a decade. The pending departure of Sears will leave Carson’s as the mall’s single anchor store, though JCPenney and Target have stores adjacent to the shopping center.