Mokena loses Colosseum Complex

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy staff

Mokena's Colosseum Complex, 19081 Old LaGrange Road, has closed its doors and those of The Pearl Room, Maximus and Capone's Restaurant.

The nightspot closed at the end of business Aug. 29. The company's Web site attributed the closing to the retirement of owners Mark and Jeanne. Village officials and nearby business owners were quoted in the Mokena Messenger as being caught offguard by the sudden closing.

The Colosseum Web site has a listing of new locations for a series of band appearances that had been scheduled through this month and into October.

Vito & Nick's II closes in Mokena
Vito & Nick's II closed its location at Wolf Road and U.S. 30 last weekend. Owners are planning to concentrate on the company's many franchises, which remain open, and its frozen pizza business.

Beggars Pizza opens in Orland Park
Southland pizza chain Beggars has opened a new full-service restaurant at 11329 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. The new eatery has a banquet room and offers the chain's popular buffet. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The phone number is 708-364-1500.

The chain also plans to soon open new locations at 547 W. Jackson Blvd., across from Union Station, and at 81st Street and Stony Island Avenue on Chicago's Southeast Side.

Kia returns to Matteson
Hawkinson Kia has opened inside the Matteson Auto Mall at Interstate 57 and U.S. 30 in Matteson. Owners Bob and Jim Hawkinson, of Frankfort, also own the Hawkinson Nissan dealership in the same mall. The opening marks the return of the Kia brand to the auto mall. A Kia dealership closed there in 2007. Plans are in the works for a grand opening in October.

Cappas new owner of Johnny's Wee-Nee Wagon
Former Southland cocaine kingpin John Cappas, 43, is the new owner of Johnny's Wee-Nee Wagon, 15743 S. Crawford Ave. in Markham, which was the original Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon. Cappas was released in 2004 after serving 15 years for drug dealing. The phone number is 708-333-8584.