Burrito Joint opens in Mokena

The Burrito Joint opened recently in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new Mexican restaurant aptly named The Burrito Joint Caliente opened recently in the Hickory Creek Shopping Centre in Mokena.

Co-owner Jim Burke said the authentic Mexican cuisine as served up by chef Marcos Alamo is “awesome.”

Menu items feature broiled pork, cured beef, pulled chicken and fresh tamales. The restaurant even features Coke products imported from Mexico along with Jarritos, a Mexican soda pop brand.

Specials include $1 tacos on Mondays and one-pound burritos for $5 on Sunday.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

This is a second go round for this location as a Mexican restaurant. An earlier eatery closed about five years ago.

Burke is also a co-owner of the neighboring Stoney Point Grill restaurant and OTB and the plaza itself.

The Burrito Joint offers sit-down dining as well as carry out and catering.

For information, call 708-995-7742 or visit its Facebook page or Burrito Joint online.

New Beggars Pizza opens

A new Beggars Pizza opened recently at 1326 119^th St. in Whiting, Ind., across the state line from Chicago’s East Side neighborhood. For information, call 219-659-4555 or visit Beggars online.

Texas Roadhouse coming to Countryside

Texas Roadhouse, the steakhouse chain that features peanuts on the floor and hand-cut steaks, is planning a 7,163-square-foot location at 9960 Joliet Road in Countryside. 

The project has an estimated cost of $1.2 million. Construction bids went out last month. 

A late summer opening is scheduled.

Merle Norman moves in Orland

The Merle Norman cosmetic studio moved around the corner recently at the Orland Greens shopping center in Orland Park into a space about twice the size of its original location.

The store moved from 15006 to 15026 S. LaGrange Road into a spot next to Black Tie Tuxes. The new space is 1,525 square feet compared to the 810 square feet in the old location.

The studio’s hours and phone number remain the same.

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.

Tuesday Morning closing in Frankfort

Tuesday Morning is moving its Frankfort store to Joliet.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Tuesday Morning store in the Hickory Creek Marketplace at St. Francis and LaGrange roads in Frankfort is holding a closing sale as the store preps for its impending move to North Ridge Plaza mall in Joliet.

The upscale discount store specializes in domestic and international designer and name-brand closeout merchandise at more than 850 stores throughout the United States.

“We are currently in negotiations regarding the relocation … (and) we cannot confirm an opening date at this time,” said company spokeswoman Allison DuPriest in an email. “Tuesday Morning has a loyal customer following in Frankfort and Joliet, Illinois and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers.”

An employee at the store said all employees were being transferred to Joliet or another Tuesday Morning location.

She said the closing sale would continue at least through March.

Family Dollar opens in Alsip

A new Family Dollar store opened last month at 12299 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip. Store hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, call the store at 708-385-6727.

The Charlotte-based chain was founded in 1959 and has more than 7,600 stores in 45 states.

Troubled Tinley store closes

The convenience store at 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue has seen more than its share of problems since it opened almost a decade ago under the name Always Open.

The business has had several owners and has been cited by the village for a variety of offenses including selling alcohol and cigarettes to underage customers.

The last straw came recently when a manager was arrested for running a fencing ring out of the store, now named Tinley Family Food and Liquor.

Its most recent owner closed the store last month and last week surrendered his business licenses to the village.

UPDATE: Burger ‘N Que to reopen Tuesday

Mechanical problems have kept Burger ‘N Que in the dark for most of March, but the restaurant at 17400 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park posted on its Facebook page that it will be back in business as of Tuesday.

Co-owner Alex Wise said part of the restaurant’s problem has been the condition of the building.

“This is not a great building,” he said. “We’ve had to make lots of repairs over the years.”

“We’ve been closed (since March 5) because of mechanical problems,” said Wise. “I couldn’t cook myself a hamburger if I wanted to.”

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.

Rainbow takes over former Fashion Bugs

Rainbow has replaced Fashion Bug stores in Bridgeview and Orland Hills.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Fashion Bug stores at 9295 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills’ Orland Towne Center and 8735 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview’s Southfield Plaza didn’t stay vacant very long.

Those locations, and another in Merrillville, Ind., were quickly snapped up by Rainbow Shops, a Brooklyn-based retailer that saw an opportunity to expand and seized it.

“When we saw Fashion Bug was going out of business, we entered into a deal to pick up about 100 of its unexpired leases,” said Adin Goldberg, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. ‘Separately, we worked with landlords to acquire another 20 to 25 sites that no longer had leases.”

“We looked at it as an opportunity to expand,” Goldberg said. “It was a good opportunity for us.”

Rainbow even worked with Fashion Bug to retain as many employees as they could in the new stores.

Goldberg said the former Fashion Bugs tend to be larger than usual Rainbow stores and employ eight to 13 associates either full-time or part-time.

He said the new stores also carry a wider selection of Rainbow offerings including junior and plus sizes, children’s apparel and shoes.

Rainbow Shops were founded in 1935 and with the current expansion now have 1,150 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Blockbuster closing in Evergreen

The downsizing of Blockbuster continues with the closing of the Evergreen Park location at 2650 W. 95th St. A going out of business sale is in progress until April 21 or sooner, if the inventory runs out. For information, call the store at 708-423-0022.

Bayberry Pantry closed again in Tinley

Bayberry Pantry, 8004 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, is closed again. The convenience store had reopened in Bayberry Plaza in August 2011 after being closed.

Clark station closed in Orland

The Clark gas station at 14800 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is closed and the property has been fenced off.

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.