St. Anne's Gifts downsizes in Orland Park

Red Mango Yogurt & Smoothies opened last month at 11139 W. Lincoln Highway in the Prairie Crossing shopping center (next to Chipotle) in Frankfort. The shop opens daily at 10:30 a.m. and stays open til 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy 

St. Anne’s Gifts, a Catholic based gift shop founded 50 years ago, recently moved into smaller quarters at 15190 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park’s Ravinia Plaza.

The second-generation family owned business went from a 2,270-square-foot space into a 1,490-square-foot space across the parking lot.

“We’re about a third smaller, but everything fit in the new store,” said store manager Mary Harrison, who has been with St. Anne’s for 32 years.

Harrison said the store carries an assortment of religious gifts including greeting cards and figurines by Precious Moments and Foundations by Enesco.

She said the store is now working under its summer hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday.

For more information, call 708-364-7015.

Smokehouse closes in Orland Park

Smokehouse, a restaurant that featured smoked chicken and ribs along with burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and like fare, shut down recently at 15020 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

Owned by Brian and Mary Yates, Smokehouse closed after it had been open only a year. Brian Yates decided to open the restaurant after retiring from the Evergreen Park Police Department.

At the time, he said he picked Orland Park because of its general appeal.

“I kinda like it out here,” he said. “The area has a little bit of everything.”

This is the message Yates posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page on its final day: “Unfortunately, due to the economy and hard times, I'm so sad to say we are closing down and will no longer be in business. We tried our best, but apparently God has different plans, I want to thank every single person who gave us their time and business, we looked to you as family, wish things could have been different, we will miss you all terribly. Thank you for your constant support and giving us a shot.”

Chester’s Tavern adds gaming machines to its menu Chester’s Tavern and Orsi’s Pizza at 6255 S. Archer Road in Summit is the latest area establishment to add video gaming to its list of offerings. Owner Pete Orsi said the five gaming machines went live a couple of weeks ago and he’s even added early morning hours and treats for his customers. “We are now open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and I have doughnuts and coffee for early bird customers,” Orsi said. The kitchen still opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch. Orsi has been busy making improvements. Last year, he bought the building next door and turned it into a grand party room complete with a small bar, pool table and video games. So far, the room has accommodated birthday parties for guests of honor ranging from 1 to 70 years of age.  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 follow business happenings at Comings & Goings.