Plush Horse Coming to Tinley Park

Plush Horse is coming to Tinley Park next month.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Palos Park’s Plush Horse Ice Cream & Coffee Shop, considered by many to have the best ice cream in the southwest suburbs, is opening a second location at 7903 W. 171st St. in the Tinley Downs plaza in Tinley Park.

Steve Rydberg, son of owner Ann Rydberg, said he is hoping the new location will be ready by mid-March.

“Mom wanted to give it a try,” he said of the second location, which will feature the same sweet treats as the Palos Park location. “We will have cupcakes and candy, as well.”

Rydberg now works downtown at a bank but grew up working at the Palos Park location.

“I helped make the ice cream,” he said. His favorite flavor? “I really like chocolate peanut butter.”

Rydberg said the new location will continue to be a family affair with relatives and his wife Mary Ellen Rydberg helping staff the new location.

For information, call 708-444-1800.

New York & Co. Remodeling

New York & Co. at Orland Square Mall will be closed for the next couple of months as the store undergoes remodeling. The mall expects the store to reopen in about 60 days. A number of stores are sprucing up at the same time the mall is undergoing an overdue face-lift.

Francesca’s to Host Chamber Event

Francesca’s Vicinato, 12960 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park, is hosting a Business After Hours from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, for members of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. RSVP to 708-349-2972 or http://www.orlandparkchamber.org/.

Sign Up for Brew and Vine Festival

The third annual Tinley Park Brew and Vine Festival will run from 2-11 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.

The event will showcase popular brewers and wineries with an extensive list of diverse wines and craft beers. The Tinley Park Brew and Vine Festival offers tastings for both fine wines and craft beers, as well as gourmet foods.

Admission to the festival includes wine, beer and food tastings, a commemorative wine or beer glass, and access to the event.

For information, visit http://www.tinleyparkbrewandvinefest.com/.

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.