Oak Lawn Kmart to Close

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

The Kmart at 11000 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn has been added to the list of stores being closed by Sears Holdings Corp. No closing date was announced. Kmart also operates a store at 4101 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

It is the first store in the Southland to be designated for closing since Sears Holdings announced last year that it would close between 100 and 120 underperforming stores.

Sears Holdings, which posted a $2.4 billion fourth quarter loss on Thursday, also said it would sell off its Outlet store division – including a store that recently opened in Tinley Park and a store in Bridgeview – and certain hardware stores. There are standalone Sears Hardware stores in Orland Park and Alsip.

Corn Product Wants New Name

Corn Products International, which operates a factory in Bedford Park with a distinctive smell of burning corn, will ask its shareholders in May to change the company’s name to Ingredion. Smellion might be a better name considering the odors that come out of that plant.

Southgate Pharmacy Closes in Homewood

Southgate Pharmacy filled its last prescription on Valentine’s Day as the longtime store in Homewood shut down. The store was one of three opened in 1956 by the Skoniecke family. It was the last one to close.

Tinley Park Tobacco Closes

Tinley Park Tobacco at 7921 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park closed recently.

Free Pancakes at IHOP

Celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP next Tuesday with a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. The chain asks that you consider leaving a donation for charity. In the Southland, IHOP restaurants can be found in Orland Park, Matteson, Crestwood, Lansing, Ford City Mall, Bridgeview, Bolingbrook and Bourbonnais. For information, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/.

Gas n Wash Opens in Mokena

Gas n Wash opened last week in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new gas station opened last week at 8810 W. 191st St. in Mokena.

Gas n Wash features six fuel stations, a convenience store, car wash and, starting next week, a Dunkin Donuts with a drive-through lane.

The station was built by Len McEnery on property once owned by Gas City. McEnery was an executive for Gas City, which was owned by his brother William.

 Mokena Business Expo and Health Fair

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce has moved its Business Expo and Health Fair into bigger digs this year at The Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center, 10847 LaPorte Road. The show is free to the public and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday.

There will be dozens of exhibitors on hand offering demonstrations, raffles, door prizes and health screenings.

XSport Fitness Express Now Open

A 24-hour fitness center opened recently at 13343 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood. The XSport Fitness Express center is open daily and features all kinds of fitness equipment including treadmills, climbers and bikes. For information and pricing, call 708-824-0800 or visit http://www.xsportfitness.com/.

Rail Grill Reopens in Blue Island

The New Rail Grill opened recently at 2239 Vermont in Blue Island. The restaurant is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 708-597-4343.

Fox Head Apparel Coming to Orland

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Fox Head Inc., which made its name with a worldwide brand of motocross apparel and has since branched out into other performance sports, is going to open its only Chicago-area store at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park this spring.

The mall said the store will be moving into part of the space being vacated by Bath & Body Works, which is downsizing and moving across the way.

The company was started as Fox Racing in 1974 in Campbell, Calif.

Calls to the company for more information were not returned.

Jamaica Jerk Choice Coming to Tinley Park

Jamaica Jerk Choice restaurant, which offers Caribbean cuisine, is coming soon to 15910 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

For information, check out the menu at its Calumet City location at http://www.jamaicajerkchoice.com/.

Calls and emails to the owner were not returned, but an employee at the Calumet City location said the 1,200 square foot Tinley location should be open by March.

Cartridge World Has New Digs

Cartridge World, which refills printer cartridges and the like, moved recently from its original home at 15942 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park to new digs at 7751 W. 159th St. Tinley Plaza in the Castle Plaza.

Charlotte Russe Closes in Orland

The Charlotte Russe store in Orland Square Mall closed recently. Fans of its clothing and shoe lines can still find them at stores in Ford City Shopping Center, Chicago Ridge Mall, the Promenade in Bolingbrook and Louis Joliet Mall.

McLaughlin to Deliver State of Orland Park to Chamber

Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin will give his state of the village address to the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Silver Lake Country Club, 14700 S. 82nd Avenue.

Cost is $14 for chamber members in advance, $17 for members and non-members at the door.

RSVP by Feb. 24 to 708-349-2972 or http://www.orlandparkchamber.org/.

Public Meeting on Illiana Expressway

The Illinois and Indiana Departments of Transportation will present the preferred routes for the proposed Illiana Expressway from Interstate 65 near Lowell in northwest Indiana to Interstate 55 near Wilmington.

There will be a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Matteson Hotel and Conference Center (Holiday Inn) at 500 Holiday Plaza Drive in Matteson from 5-8 p.m.

There will be a continuous PowerPoint presentation, and attendees will have the opportunity to view study exhibits, provide comments and speak with IDOT, INDOT and study team representatives on a one-on-one basis. A question and answer forum will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.