Ross Dress for Less Stores to Open Saturday in Orland, Matteson

Ross Dress for Less stores will open Saturday in Orland Park and Matteson.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Ross Dress for Less, a California-based off-price retailer, will open 12 stores Saturday morning including one at Orland Park Place mall and another at Matteson Center mall at Cicero Avenue and U.S. 30.

It will be the single biggest store opening in the company’s 30-year history. All stores will open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Each store is offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 shopping spree or one of five $100 shopping sprees.

“We are so excited to be here,” said Mary Walter, senior vice president of stores during a sneak preview Thursday night at the Orland Park store.

Walter said Ross has more than 1,000 stores in 27 states.

“We started in California and are working are way east,” she said. “Customers in Chicago will respond to our great products at great prices.”

Walter said Ross typically offers a wide selection of brand name merchandise for 20-60 percent less than at department stores.

The Orland store features a mix of clothes, shoes, seasonal decorations, toys and home décor.

Walter said Ross will celebrate its entrance into the Chicago market by making a $50,000 presentation to the Boys & Girls Club. In Orland, a gift will also be made to the Sandburg High School Music Boosters. In Matteson, a similar donation will be made to the Matteson Public Library.

Walter said Ross has hired about 50 associates at each store.

Store hours will be Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Other new stores are in Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Naperville, Niles, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie and South Elgin.

For information about Ross, visit http://www.rossstores.com/ and www.facebook.com/rossdressforless.

PSC Seeks Employers for Job Fair
Employers looking for candidates to fill open positions are encouraged to register for the Prairie State College annual job fair scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the college, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. Commission-only positions and positions requiring a start-up fee are not allowed.

The job fair will be open to currently enrolled students, alumni and community members.

Registration is $50 per company and includes seating and lunch for two representatives, a table, table covering, and signage. Each additional representative attending the fair is $25.

To register, visit prairiestate.edu/jobfair. The deadline for registering for the fair is Friday, Oct. 7.

For information on the job fair, contact Tanya Norfleet, coordinator of career development services, at (708) 709-3755, or Ramien Manson, career advisor, at (708) 709-3922.

Demolition Makes Way for Dave & Buster’s
Demolition began last week on the former movie theater at Orland Square Mall to make way for the new Dave and Busters adult arcade that should open next year at the northeast corner of LaGrange Road and 151st Street in Orland Park.

Orland Township to Host Job Fair
Orland Township is hosting a free job fair for both residents and non-residents on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Orland Township Activity Center, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park.

A variety of company representatives from different industries will be present to meet with participants, including the insurance and financial fields.

Companies scheduled to attend include Plastipak Packaging Inc., Cintas, Allstate Insurance, Lowe’s, Norfolk Southern, Prudential and more.

Business attire is required and attendants should bring updated resumes for distribution.

For information, visit http://www.orlandtwp.org/.

Michael's Stores Close
Southeast suburban arts and crafts fans will have to travel to Tinley Park now that Michael's stores have closed recently in Calumet City and Matteson.

Bears Deal of the Week
Fat Sam’s at 15896 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, will have a free halftime buffet and drink specials when the Bears take on the Lions Monday night. For information, call 708-403-0733.

Frankfort Haunted House Starts Saturday

Frankfort Area Jaycees will open their Haunted House on Saturday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Things will start going bump in the night on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Frankfort Area Jaycees Haunted House in the Frankfort Crossing shopping center at 198th Street and Harlem Avenue in Frankfort.

“This year’s theme is Holiday Massacre and we’ve added 200 square feet,” said Jaycees President Ken Blank, of Frankfort Square. “We have more maze.”

The Haunted House, which the Jaycees use to raise money for their charity work, will be open from 7-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Halloween. The house also will be open on Oct. 30 and Halloween night.

Admission is $8 for everyone 6 and older.

“There are absolutely no refunds,” Blank said. “This is a haunted house. It’s scary. There are warning signs everywhere. This money goes to charity. The $8 is your donation.”

Last year, he said, some people asked for their money back after their young children were too scared.

“If you think your child is too young, he or she probably is, and shouldn’t go through,” he said. “But once you pay – you pay.”

Blank said he has a crew of 60-65 ghouls and goblins ready to scare guests.

“Many are junior high school and high school kids who do this as part of their community service for school,” he said.

Blank said the Jaycees have been putting on the Haunted House for 15 years. Last year, they moved out of their longtime home at the Frankfort Square Park District into bigger digs at the shopping center.

For information, visit the Jaycees website at http://www.frankfort-area-jaycees.org/.

Here's a roundup of Haunted Houses that will be open between now and Halloween. The screams you hear are probably your own.

Haunted Hollow at Toyota Park in Bridgeview
Haunted Hollow returns to Bridgeview’s Toyota Park with a new fright fest called Carn-Evil Midway.

When: Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21, Oct. 23 and Oct. 28-31, from 7-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7-10 p.m. on Sunday and Halloween.

Admission: $10 for ages 7 and older. RIP passes are an additional $5.

Information: http://www.bridgeviewhauntedhouse.com/.

Frightmare Haunted House at Haunted Trails 7759 S. Harlem Ave., Burbank

A two-story haunted house and scary maze featuring scenes from famous horror films.

When: Daily from Oct. 7 to Halloween, 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6-11 p.m. Fridays, 3-11 p.m. Saturdays, 3-10 p.m. Sundays, 3-10 p.m. on Columbus Day, 1 p.m. to ?? on Oct. 30 and 5 p.m. to ???, on Halloween.

Admission: $10 (discount coupons on website) but only 99 cents on 20th anniversary days Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 17-20. 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday,

Information: http://www.frightmarehauntedhouse.com/

Haunted Hayride 10801 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills

When: Oct. 14-15 from 7-9:30 p.m.

Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for ages 10 and younger

Information: http://paloshillsholidayevents.homestead.com/Halloween-hayride.html

Orland Park Lions Club Haunted Woods Presents Forest of Fears 14800 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park

Scaring Orland Park since 1988.

When: Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22, Oct. 27-29, from 7-11 p.m.

Admission: $10 for ages 6 and older ($2 discount with donation for food pantry)

Information: http://orlandparklionsclub.com/

Haunted Hayrides Forest View Farms, 16717 Lockwood Ave., Tinley Park

A Halloween ride through haunted forest preserve takes about 20-30 minutes. A fall tradition for at least 15 years.

When: Oct. 8-9, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 20-23, Oct. 27-29, from 6-7 p.m. a less scary version for kids, from 7 p.m. to close a full effects show.

Admission: $10 ($9 if you book a whole wagon, which seats 20).

Information: 708-560-0306 or online at http://www.fvfarms.com/.

Sweet Dreams Haunted House 11901 S. Cicero Ave. Alsip, inside the Funtime Square

In its seventh year of operation, Sweet Dreams Haunted House is located inside Funtime Square in Alsip, which has the largest haunted cemetery count, according to Haunted Places of Illinois.

When: Oct. 12, Oct. 7-9, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 26-31, from 7-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Admission: $10

Information: http://www.sweetdreamshauntedhouse.com/.

3rd Annual Nightmare at the Terrace Haunted House 11500 Beloit Ave., Worth

The Worth Park District will once again be turning the Terrace Centre into a place full of scares, thrills and chills for the 3rd annual "Nightmare at the Terrace" Haunted House. If you dare, take your chances and walk through a 700-foot path and 15-room maze.

When: Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 27-30, from 6-10 p.m.

Admission: $8 for 8 and older

A Lights on for Kids version will be Oct. 20 from 4-6 p.m. and Oct. 29 from 2-5 p.m. for $2.

Information: 708-448-7080 or online at http://www.worthparkdistrict.org/.

Spirits of the Oaks Haunted Trail Irons Oaks in Olympia Fields

It’s the time of year when the darkness lengthens and the Spirits of the Oaks become restless. Are you brave enough to walk amongst them? Visit our haunted trail that is sure to scare even the bravest soul.

When: Oct. 14-15, from 7-10 p.m. for ages 12 and older

Admission: $7 ($5 in groups of 5 or more)

Information: http://www.hfparks.com/.

Doorway to Doom Pick-Ups Bar, 21000 Torrence Ave., Lynwood

The Doorway to Doom began as a simple yard haunt in a quiet little town south of Chicago. Paul and Mark created some scares that had haunt fans flocking in from all over. Soon, the Haunt grew and the Doorway threatened to consume the sleepy little suburb. A new site was found, all the graves dug up and moved. The Mausoleum holding the Doorway was taken down, stone by stone and reassembled. Working past midnight, the construction crew entered the Doorway, a loud rumbling was felt, and the crew was gone. No evidence of what had happened to the work crew was ever found, except for a hard hat, found embedded in solid stone! Unknown to the proprietors, the site that was chosen has strange forces at work. It is said, that a vortex opens up beyond the Doorway and those unlucky enough to be in the Mausoleum when this happens are swept away to a world of unspeakable terrors! Can you make it through the Doorway and back again?

When: Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 26-31, from 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 6-0 p.m. on Halloween night.

Admission: $13

Information: http://www.doorwaytodoom.com/

Abyss Haunted House Presented by Dollinger Farms, 7502 E. Hansel Road, Channahon

A darkness, long forgotten, has been unleashed deep within the bowels of the earth, beneath the old McClindon place in unsuspecting Channahon. An unspeakable portal to horror so deep and black, it is known only as … ABYSS.

When: Oct. 1, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 20-23, Oct. 27-30, from 7-10 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays, 7-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission: $17

Information: 815-467-6788 or online at http://www.abysshaunts.com/

Statesville Haunted Prison and City of the Dead Crest Hill

Enter Statesville Haunted Prison at your own peril. When you do, the Warden the Demon of Darkness and his Zombies will quickly take control of you like everything else inside the ancient walls of pure evil! You will experience feelings that you have never felt before! Some call it scared, terrified, or horrified but you will never be the same again or should I say sane again. Do you like clowns? You won’t if you survive and escape Statesville! Only a select few escape the dangerous cells only to enter the City of the Dead where the most evil of Statesville go for eternity. Will you be joining them?

When: Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 6-9, Oct. 13-16, Oct. 20-23, Oct. 25-31, Nov. 4-5, 7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission: $30, VIP $40

Information: http://www.statesville.org/

Haunted Mansion and Asylum 13 Ditka’s Sports Dome, 730 N. Bolingbrook Dr. in Bolingbrook

When: Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 7-9, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 20-23, Oct. 26-31, 6-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission: $20

Information: www.ditkasportsdome.com/haunted.

Six Flags Fright Fest in Gurnee

When: Oct. 1-2, Oct. 7-10, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 28-30, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Columbus Day

Admission: $59.99 for adults, $39.99 for children under 48-inches, free for children 2 and younger. Additional fee required for some haunted attractions.

Information: http://frightfest.sixflags.com/.

Louie’s Pizza Closes in Frankfort

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Louie's Pizza has closed in Frankfort.

Louie’s Pizza and Pasta, which offered 28-inch pizzas, the biggest pizzas in the area, has apparently closed at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort.

The restaurant had a checkered history in its brief run. There were repeated management changes and, most recently, it was supposed to be part of Baja Italiana, a restaurant from Carol Stream that sells Italian and Mexican cuisine. Coupons announcing the merger, management change and announcing a new grand opening were delivered over the summer.

A manager at Baja Italiana said Friday that restaurant’s owner had acquired and then sold Louie’s.

Calls to the Frankfort location are answered by an automated system that asks you to leave a message because of the call volume.

On Friday afternoon, the restaurant was closed and there was a notice on the door from the Village of Frankfort that its water service had been disconnected for failure to pay a utility bill. The restaurant’s Facebook page also has been taken down.

Corn Maze Open House
Odyssey Fun Farm will hold an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at its corn maze at Oak Park Avenue and Harlem Avenue at noon on Sunday, and the $10 admission fee is being waived only for members of the Tinley Park, Orland Park, New Lenox, Frankfort and Mokena chambers of commerce. Members can RSVP to their respective chambers.

Aqua Lounge Replaces Club 30 West
Club 30 West has been renamed Aqua Lounge at 7905 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort. For information, call 815-513-2782 or visit their website at http://aqualoungefrankfort.com/  or their Facebook page.

New Lenox Restaurants Close
The Station House, which used to be the second location of the House of Hughes, closed last week at 201 E. Maple St. in New Lenox.

A resident said she saw workers removing furniture and other items from the building.

The restaurant was renamed after the House of Hughes closed its original location in Crestwood back in March.

Also closing recently in New Lenox was the original location of Lazy Dogz Burgers & Beef at 108 W. Illinois Highway. The fast food joint closed its Tinley Park location just about a year ago, which has since reopened as Diana’s Kitchen.

Bears Deal of the Weekend
Joe Daniel’s Neighborhood Eatery & Pub, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary at 12218 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights with a bean bag tournament, prizes, entertainment and free barbecue on Saturday, offers a free halftime buffet during Bears games. The only catch is you have to be on hand before the start of the second quarter. There are drink specials, as well, including buckets of beer and a $5 bloody Mary bar. The doors open as soon as fans start showing up. For information, call 708-923-9902 or visit http://www.joedanielsbar.com/.