Radio Shack to Reopen in Oak Lawn

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy 

Radio Shack plans to reopen in downtown Oak Lawn in the first week of August after being closed for more than 18 months since it was knocked out of action by a horrendous fire on Nov. 17, 2010.

“It was always our intention to rebuild and get that store open again,” said Radio Shack south suburban district manager Reggie Weekly.

Weekly said the retailer is shooting for an opening date of Aug. 4. He said the company is planning some grand opening events.

“It’s going to be a good location again,” said Weekly. “We had a lot of loyal customers at that store. I think a lot of residents will be happy to see us return.”

The store at 4819 W. 95^th St. suffered serious smoke and structural damage in the fire that also devastated Eva’s Bridals, Mattress Express, Chiro-Med and Miss Fantasia Boutique.

Weekly said the retailer had to wait for insurance issues to be settled and the landlord to give his OK before they could start rebuilding the store.

“Once we got the OK, everything came together quickly,” he said.

The new store will be the same size and layout as the previous store. It will have two full-time managers and four or five part-time associates, said Weekly. Applications are being taken at www.radioshack.com.

The store’s summer hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the rest of the year.

Victoria’s Secret to Reopen After Remodeling

Victoria’s Secret/PINK, the women’s lingerie store that has been closed for remodeling, will reopen today at Chicago Ridge Mall.

Former Bank Purchased

A group called Sass Orland LLC has purchased the former Amcore Bank building at 16057 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park for $810,000. If anyone knows what’s planned for the 5,928-square-foot free-standing building, please let me know.

Quick Mart Opens in Flossmoor

A Quick Mart convenience store opened earlier this month at 2747 Flossmoor Road in Flossmoor. It is the second location for owners Mike Amawi and Moe Omari.

Ridgeway Chevy 16^th Annual Car Show and Sock Hop

Ridgeway Chevrolet, 17730 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing, is hosting its 16^th annual Car and Truck Show and Sock Hop from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday. Vehicle registration starts at 4 p.m.

There will be hot dogs and root beer, dash plaques, goodie bags, trophies and a Hula Hoop contest.

Guests are asked to bring a can of soup for the Lansing Food Pantry.

For information, call 708-474-3563.

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.