Bogart’s Closes in Homewood

Bogart's closed earlier this week in Homewood.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bogart’s Charhouse, 18255 Dixie Highway in Homewood, has closed its doors for the last time.

The popular restaurant reportedly hosted a party Sunday night and announced it was closing that night.

Online comments by people claiming to be employees said the owners attributed the closing to financial considerations.

Attempts to reach them were unsuccessful. The restaurant’s phone number is out of service and redirects you to a voice mailbox.

The Homewood location outlasted its Tinley Park sister by a couple of years. The Tinley location first was sold and then reacquired and then downsized and renamed Casablanca and eventually closed for good. Its location on Oak Park Avenue is still empty.

Gap Open During Construction

A new Gap store is under construction in the lower level Sears Court at Orland Square Mall, but the store will remain open in its current location until the new space is ready.

Rue 21 Now Open

Rue 21, a national fashion retailer for young men and women, opened a 5,800-square-foot store recently in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159^th Street and Harlem Avenue. The store is between Walt’s Foods and Bath & Body Works. The chain operates 770 stores in 46 states.

For information, call 708-444-2934 or visit them online at Rue 21.

Fiscal Expert to Focus on State Debt for Southland Chamber

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall, long recognized as a public policy expert, will be the guest speaker at the Sept. 10 Regional Consensus Lunch for the Southland Chamber of Commerce at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Msall will discuss steps that lawmakers could take to address the state’s fiscal mess especially dealing with millions of dollars in unfunded pensions.

A licensed attorney, Msall’s background includes being a senior advisor for economic development under former Gov. George Ryan. Msall joined the Civic Federation in 2002.

The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Reservationscan be made online at Chicago Southland Regional Consensus Lunch or by calling 708-956-6950.

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.