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.