By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy
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| River Oaks Ford is closing. |
River Oaks Ford will close its doors at 281 River Oaks Drive in Calumet City on Nov. 30.
The dealership, which opened in 1966, has sent a letter to former customers informing them of the closing and offering a coupon for a $9.95 oil change at River View Ford in Oswego, which is owned by John Hennessy, who is the son of River Oaks Ford owner Joe Hennessy.
The letter says the decision to close was the result of “many unfortunate factors.”
General Sales Manager Tom Julian Sr., of Orland Park, who has been with River Oaks Ford for 34 years, said word of the closing came down three weeks ago.
“All of our new car inventory has been sold,” Julian said. “We have 20 used cars left on the lot. Anything left in stock when we close will be moved to the Oswego store.”
Julian said some of the staff at River Oaks will be moving to the Oswego store but he didn’t know how many. “I won’t be one of them,” he said.
“All nine salesmen are still here,” Julian said. “No one has resigned yet.”
Julian said he enjoyed working at River Oaks Ford and for Joe Hennessy.
“We had a lot of good times here,” he said. “Joe is a great guy to work for.”
Calls to John Hennessy were not returned.
Bally Fitness Sells Illinois Locations
Bally Fitness announced Friday that it is selling 171 locations, including all 27 in Illinois, to LA Fitness for $153 million. The deal is expected to close by Nov. 30.
Bally emerged from bankruptcy in 2009 after closing several locations including one at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.
In the Southland, Bally operates fitness centers in Matteson, Oak Lawn and Calumet City. The Oak Lawn location recently moved and reopened as a BFit Club, which is a kind of slimmed down version of the company’s traditional fitness centers.
Clothier to Close 2 Stores
Owner Odie Anderson has decided to close his The Look superstore at River Oaks Center in Calumet City and his Unico Designs store at Lincoln Mall in Matteson in order to concentrate on his charitable work.
The stores have begun going out of business sales at both locations. The River Oaks location will also have merchandise from a pair of Unico Designs stores at that mall, while the Lincoln Mall location will have inventory from The Look women’s store and Childrens Boutique at that mall.
The River Oaks and Lincoln Mall stores will be open during regular mall hours for the event. Credit cards and cash will be accepted, but all sales are final. The company currently has approximately 20 full- and part-time personnel at the two locations.
Anderson’s wife Sharon will continue to operate her Unico Designs women’s wear boutique at River Oaks Center.
In a release, Anderson said he would now focus his energies on a Michael Jackson memorial and his church.
Charter Fitness Grand Openings
Charter Fitness, which took over Southland Cardinal Fitness locations this summer, is hosting grand opening open houses at all of the recently converted locations on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The open houses are free and open to members and non-members. There will be demonstrations, giveaways and special rate sales.
"We want to invite everyone in to see what Charter Fitness is all about. Our open house is for everyone in the community. Even other local businesses will be on hand," said Dan Collins, Director of Sales.
Visit http://www.charterfitness.com/ for a complete list of locations.
Turkey Talk Food Drive
Barcelona Creative Group is hosting its fourth annual Turkey Talk Food Drive & Open House at its offices at 12416 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, to benefit the Orland Township Food Pantry. Appetizers and beverages will be served. All are welcome, and guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation.
For a list of items needed by the Orland Township Food Pantry and more details on the event, visit barcelonacreative.com/turkey-talk-2011. To RSVP, email Juli Barcelona at juli@barcelonacreative.com or Linda Barcelona at linda@barcelonacreative.com or call (708) 448-8077.
Evergreen Park Needs Yule Tree
The Village of Evergreen Park is looking for an evergreen to serve as its official Christmas Tree for the tree lighting ceremony at Klein Park. If you have an evergreen on your property that you have been considering having removed and would like to donate it, the village will take it down. The tree must be at least 20 feet tall. Call Cathy at 708-229-8222.
ComEd Tour at Chicago Ridge Mall
ComEd's Energy Solutions Center Tour will spread energy-efficiency cheer during the holidays with stops at Westfield malls across northern Illinois. The Energy Solutions Center Mall Tour features giveaways for consumers, LED holiday lighting displays, holiday safety tips and ideas for energy-efficient gifts. It will be at Chicago Ridge Mall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tillman at Verizon Store
Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will be signing autographs from 7-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Verizon store at 9264 W. 159th St. in Orland Park.
Eva’s Bridals Open House
Eva’s Bridal will hold a ribbon cutting and open house at its new Oak Lawn location from 3-6 p.m. Monday. The business had been operating from temporary spaces since a fire last November destroyed Eva’s original Oak Lawn store. The new store at 5269 W. 95th St. opened earlier this month. For information, call 708-422-5599.
Aldi Opens in New Lenox
A new Aldi store opened this week at 351 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox, near the Walmart. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Deal of the weekend: Starbucks
Starbucks is offering a buy one, get one free deal for its special holiday drinks from 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Drinks are Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Mocha and Caramel Brulee Latte.
Bears deal of the week
Blarney Stone Pub in Oak Forest offers a free halftime buffet and drink specials during Bears games.
