Empire Books to close in Frankfort

Paula Ingram plans to take her book store online.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Empire Books will close its doors in Frankfort by the end of the month, but owner Paula Ingram’s passion for books will continue in the form on an online book store.

“I’m taking the store online,” she said. “You can do everything online.”

Ingram is bittersweet about the closing.

On one hand, “We had a good run,” she said about the store that opened five years ago. “I was hoping it would last, but it’s time to move on to a new adventure.”

On the other hand, “I get my life back in some fashion. It’s been me by myself every day for five years.”

She also doesn’t think the end is near for printed books even though book stores are disappearing at an alarming rate.

“I think there will always be a demand for printed books,” she said hopefully. “There’s just something about the feel of a book and the act of turning pages that you don’t get with an electronic reader.”

The store at 20879 S. LaGrange Road in the Walt’s Food plaza will stay open until April 30. Prices have been lowered on everything in the store, including the fixtures and furniture.

For information, call 815-469-0723 or visit her online store at http://www.empirebooksshop.net/.

Pizza Mia opens in FrankfortFranchise owner Bob Chavez opened the latest Pizza Mia restaurant at 19860 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort on April 4. Other stores are in Homer Glen and New Lenox.

The Frankfort pizzeria offers carryout and catering and plans to add delivery on May 2, Chavez said. “We are hiring drivers right now and making sure the staff is fully trained before we start delivery.”

Chavez, of Lockport, said he chose the Frankfort location because “there was a lot of name recognition and demand from the Frankfort area.”

He said response so far has been great, especially from the high school students at Lincoln-Way North, which is about a block away.

“We have some kids from the school working here,” he said.

Pizza Mia is open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 3-11 p.m. and Sunday from 3-10 p.m.

For information, call 815-806-8300 or visit http://www.pizzamiaonline.com/.

Ford City happeningsThe shopping center at 71st Street and Cicero Avenue recently lost women’s apparel store New York & Co. but is adding space where Montgomery Ward used to be for new stores. In the meantime, the mall’s JCPenney store added a portrait studio and the Carson’s added a Casual Male Big & Tall department.

Chicago Ridge happeningsWestfield Chicago Ridge Mall recently lost its Whispers Coffee and Tea kiosk, but the mall at 95th Street and Ridgeland added a Mandee women’s apparel store last week. Pierre’s Café also is coming soon to the Bed, Bath & Beyond Court.

Arrenello’s reopens in GlenwoodArrenello’s Pizza, which was temporarily closed by a recent fire in a neighboring business, has reopened at 325 Glenwood-Lansing Road in Glenwood.

Orland Cold Stone reopensA tip from a reader: The Cold Stone Creamery reopened recently at 16135 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The store is open Sunday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Deal of the weekSubway is offering 6-inch Cold Cut Combo or Meatball sandwiches for $2 through the end of April.