New grocer comes to Evergreen Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Pete's Fresh Market, a South Side-based supermarket chain, is expected to open its latest store next week at 3720 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park. The 55,000-square-foot store will open Jan. 15 in the former Frank's Nursery and Crafts store, which the village bought after that retailer went bankrupt a few years ago.

Pete's Fresh Market has four stores on the Southwest Side of Chicago, a store in the East Side community and another one in Calumet City that opened last year. The Evergreen Park store was originally expected to open last summer and then in October.

When it opens, Pete's will be the only true supermarket in the village.

The new store will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on the chain and to check its weekly ad, visit Pete's web site.

Juiced for a grand opening
Juiced Nutrition will hold its grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at 2056 Ridge Road in Homewood.

The store is dedicated to fitness and nutrition. Owner Jim Taliano said there will be food and vendors who will hand out free samples.

At present, the store carries vitamins and nutritional supplements, but Taliano said he will be adding personal trainers, massages and a smoothie bar.

For more information, call 708-799-6160. Taliano said a Web site is in the works.

House of Brews closes in Oak Forest
Chicago's House of Brews appears to have closed at 15426 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest. The phone has been disconnected, and its Facebook page has nothing new since late September. The establishment opened in February 2009.

This is one of those locations that seem to be cursed despite being on a busy street (Cicero Avenue) in a nice town (Oak Forest). House of Brews was preceded by a couple of Mexican restaurants and another one that was Eastern European, I think. None of them lasted very long.

In contrast, nearby eateries such as Beggars Pizza, Mrs. O'Brien's Pub and Durbin's seem to be thriving.

Now hiring
Fajitas, a Mexican restaurant expected to open in March at 167th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park, is accepting applications. To apply, call the location in Countryside at 708-352-8226.