Orland Borders Open as Usual

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The last remaining Borders bookstore in the Southland at 15620 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is open and doing business as usual, until Thursday. That's when the retailer will ask the U.S. bankruptcy court to approve liquidation of the chain's remaing 399 stores.

On Thursday, the court is expected to sign off on the plan to shutter the stores by the end of September.

A manager at the Orland store said Tuesday that details will emerge after Thursday's court hearing but what she has heard so far is that gift cards will be redeemed throughout the liquidation and rewards will be accepted for at least the first two weeks of the liquidation.

"It sounds like rewards won't be accepted after the first two weeks," said the manager, who declined to give her name.

She also said customers were pouring into the store on Tuesday.

"It's been busier today than the past three days combined," she said. "I think it's people wanting to use up their gift cards. But we've been told gift cards will be accepted until the end."

Rosati’s Takes Over Piazza’s in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Piazza’s Pizza closed last week at 19608 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. But it is expected to reopen Tuesday as a Rosati’s Pizza.

The phone number is remaining the same 708-479-9400 but there are a few changes coming. For one, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Friday. For another, the menu is changing. To get an idea of the new menu, visit http://www.rosatislockport.com/. The owner of that location is taking over the Mokena site.

There apparently are two pizza chains called Rosati’s that have a common ancestor. One is based in Warrenville and the other in Elgin. The Mokena and Lockport locations are part of the Elgin group, which uses http://www.myrosatis.com/ as its website.

Mexican restaurant closes in South Holland
Taquitos Munoz closed recently at 253 E. 162nd St. in South Holland. The eatery had been open for about a year when it shut its doors.

Oak Forest businesses relocate
Pup N Suds, a dog grooming service, recently relocated from 15159 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest to a new home a couple of blocks away at 4815 W. 155th St. The hours and phone number remain the same 708-687-4409.

Also moving was Great Clips, which moved its salon from 15825 S. Central Ave. to 5536 W. 159th St. The hours and phone number remain the same 708-535-9890.

El Cortez closes Orland location
El Cortez on June 26 closed its restaurant at 17171 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park. A manager at the nearby Mokena location said there wasn’t enough business at the Orland site to keep it open.

There had been lots of speculation that the Orland restaurant’s days were numbered after the chain opened at 10128 W. 191st St. in Mokena, which has proved to be quite popular. The flagship restaurant also remains open at 183rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Country Club Hills.

Deal of the week
A reminder that Speedway is giving discounts to Speedy Rewards card holders through July at locations acquired from Gas City earlier this summer. Card holders who swipe their cards get 5 cents off per gallon of regular and mid-range and 10 cents per gallon off premium. The chain also is selling any size iced tea or soft drink beverage for 67 cents.

Salina's Has New Home in Tinley Park

Salina's has a new home in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

In case you wondered where they went, Salina’s moved into bigger and better digs at 7551 W. 175th St. in Tinley Park.

The company, which started in Oak Lawn in 1995 moved into Tinley Park in 2000, now calls itself Salina’s Catering Pizza & Rentals, which reflects its restaurant business with pizza, sandwiches and pasta, catering business for parties large and small, and rental business that can provide tables, chairs and tents for events.

Owner Neal Hummitsch said the company moved from three storefronts on 80th Avenue into a single building with lots more space and an oversized kitchen.

Hummitsch also said that for a limited time, Salina’s is offering a large (14-inch) cheese pizza for only $4.99.

“We want to stir things up a little bit to get customers to stop by our new location,” Hummitsch said.
“We want to create a little buzz for a few weeks.”

Hours at the new location remain Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

But those hours can be expanded.
“We can cater 24 hours a day,” Hummitsch said. “In case there’s a business that has a night shift.”

For information, call Salina’s at 708-614-9100 or visit their website at Salina's Pizza & Catering. You can also follow them at Salina's on Facebook and Salina's on Twitter.

Komo’s Closes in Lansing
Another longtime southeast suburban business shut its doors recently with the closing of Komo’s Meats, Deli and Catering at 18036 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing.

Owner Skip Komorowski said he closed the business after 33 years because he was retiring and his kids have their own businesses. He started at the store 50 years ago when it was called Lan-Oak Food. He changed the name after buying the business.

Komorowski, 67, was a daily fixture at the store right until the end despite suffering a heart attack and stroke.

“The worse thing is I can’t drink anymore,” he said with a laugh.

Komorowski said he intends to do a lot of fishing from his 27-foot Ranger in the future and may “do a little catering on the side.”

Bachrach Closed Temporarily
Bachrach at Orland Square Mall is temporarily closed for remodeling as the mall makes room for Francesca’s Collections, which is coming to the lower level Macy’s Court. Bachrach will reopen later this month.

Bath and Body Works Reopening
The Bath and Body Works store at 16035 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park Plaza will be reopening Aug. 3 after a remodel.

Deal of the Week
Salina’s large cheese pizza (14-inch) $4.99. Call 708-614-9100. Or order online at http://www.cateringbysalinas.com/.