5 Guys Burgers Opens in Matteson

Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened this week in Matteson.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Virginia-based Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened its fourth Southland location this week in a strip center at U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue in Matteson.

The gourmet burger joint opened on Monday and is the 29th Illinois restaurant for the chain that started 25 years ago in Arlington, Virginia.

The restaurant serves burgers with up to 15 different toppings, hot dogs, three veggie sandwiches and fries.

The Matteson location, like most others, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no drive-through.
For information, call 708-283-4515 or visit http://www.fiveguys.com/.

There are two Five Guys locations in Orland Park and another in Chicago Ridge.

Papa John’s Opens in Palos

Indiana-based Papa John’s pizza opened its eighth Southland location recently at 7154 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights.

The pizzeria is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for delivery and carry out orders and accepts online orders.

For information, call 708-361-5050 or visit. http://www.papajohns.com/.

Frankfort Business Expo This Saturday

The 28th annual Frankfort Business Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Lincoln-Way East High School fieldhouse in Frankfort. The public is welcome and admission is free.

More than 100 local businesses are expected to be on hand along with former Bears lineman Steve McMichael who will be signing autographs from 10 a.m. to noon.

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

Garrett to Address Rotary

Jim Garrett, CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker for the Lansing Rotary Club meeting at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Popolano’s Restaurant. Lunch costs $10. For reservations, call Dick Turek at 708-895-0300.

Home & Garden Show in Tinley

Tinley Park is hosting the Springtime Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Convention Center, which will feature more than 250 exhibitors and offer seminars on backyard vegetable gardens, spring bulbs and perennials and backyard living spaces.

Show hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older and free for 18 and younger.

Ted’s Greenhouse in Tinley Park will have plants and perennials for sale.

For information, call 800-883-7469 or visit http://www.homeshowpros.com/ for discounted admission.

Ross Dress for Less to Open in Calumet City, Bolingbrook

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Ross Dress for Less, a discount apparel and home fashion chain, will open two new stores this weekend in Bolingbrook and Calumet City.

California-based Ross entered the Chicago market last fall when it opened a dozen stores including locations in Matteson and Orland Park.

Ross stores typically carry brand name products priced 20 percent to 60 percent less than at department and specialty stores.

The stores are located at Bolingbrook’s Maple Park Place and Calumet City’s Calumet Center, 480 River Oaks West.

The stores open at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 3. From Saturday through Sunday, March 11, each store is offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 shopping spree or one of five $100 shopping sprees.

“We started in California and are working are way east,” said Mary Walter, senior vice president of stores, during last year’s opening in Orland Park. “Customers in Chicago will respond to our great products at great prices."

Walter said Ross has more than 1,000 stores in 27 states. Each store employs about 50 associates.

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.

As part of the grand opening ceremonies, Ross will make a donation of $1,000 each to the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs and the George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club.

For information, call the Bolingbrook store at 630-378-2022, the Calumet City store at 708-832-2593 or visit http://www.rossstores.com/.

Chicago Ridge Mall Welcomes 2 Back
Gloria Jean’s Coffee recently reopened at Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall in the Aldi Court and The Children’s Place reopened earlier this month after being closed for a couple of weeks for remodeling.

Clock Tower Gifts Closes
Clock Tower Gifts closed last month at 18700 S. Wolf Road in Mokena almost five years to the day it opened in 2007 in the retail center.

Eatery Closes at River Oaks
Smokey’s Rib Shack closed recently at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City.

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/.