Creative Cakes bakery opens new cafe in Tinley Park

Creative Cakes has opened a cafe adjacent to its popular bakery in Tinley Park

By Bob Bong 
Southland Savvy

Sisters Beth Fahey and Becky Palermo could hardly wait for their newest venture to open its doors in Tinley Park.

The sisters, who have operated Creative Cakes for several years in Tinley Park, most recently at 16649 S. Oak Park Ave., recently opened Creative Cakes cafe in space adjacent to the bakery. 

Fahey said she was inspired to open a cafe during a trip to France.

She said the cafe would be modeled on a French street cafe and would serve coffee, sandwiches and crepes.

"It's a cool concept," she said. "A little more artsy and more Frenchy than what most people around here are used to. We're taking bakery to a higher level.

"It will be a nice respite for non-sports bar fans."

She said the cafe would feature natural foods with an emphasis on fresh and organic.

"We'll be focusing on the healthy."

Fahey said soups and other foods would be made in house and in sight of the customers.

"The customers will be able to watch the crepes being made. And they can watch the cake decorators at work."

Creative Cakes Cafe will also feature a full coffee bar along with wine and craft beers from Tinley Park's own Hailstorm Brewing Co.

"We won't be Cooper's Hawk but ours won't be junky wines either," she said. "We have a rotating selection of wines."

She said the bakery had been serving Intelligentsia coffee since 2005 and that wouldn't change at the cafe.

Other plans include a nonprofit art gallery and music.

"I really want to have acoustic music," Fahey said. "And maybe a French movie night."

She said the new cafe will require about 10 new employees, including a barrista.

"We want a foodie sort of staff," she said.

The cafe would have seating for 50 to 70 along with additional seating in an outdoor patio.

"We'll use the existing space for overflow seating," she said.

For information on the cafe, check out Creative Cakes on Facebook or Creative Cakes online.

Harbor Freight Tools opens in Orland

Harbor Freight Tools will hold a grand opening from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at 7520 W. 159th St. in Orland Park in the former Advance Auto Parts store that moved into new digs earlier this year.

The company started in 1977 and now has more than locations nationwide. The family-owned chain carries more than 7,000 tools and accessories.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For information, visit Harbor Freight Tools.

Frankfort Country Market open for season

The 2014 Frankfort Country Market is now open every Sunday until Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Frankfort.

The Spring Market (from April 27 through June 1) features early crops and plantings; the Summer Market (from June 8 through Oct. 26) features a wide variety of seasonal produce, freshly produced foods, seminars, chef demos and activities for the entire family.

Market hours in the fall (from Sept. 7 through Oct. 26) will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  In addition to the expanded market introduced in 2013, the 2014 season will include entertainment every Sunday on the newly renovated Breidert Green stage during the summer market, and a “Munchkin Market” activity area. 

 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.com