Yankee Candle Now Open in Tinley

Yankee Candle opened last month in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A Yankee Candle store opened last month next to the GNC store at 7380 W. 191st St. in the Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

The store carries the usual assortment of candles and fragrances made by Yankee Candle.

For information and hours, call 815-464-0923 or visit http://www.yankeecandle.com/.

Sarku Japan at Ford City

Sarku Japan, a restaurant that features Japanese cuisine including teriyaki and tempura, opened recently in the Ford City Shopping Mall food court at 71st Street and Cicero Avenue on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

J.D. & Sons Opens in South Chicago Heights

A new discount retailer called J.D. & Sons Sales opened recently at 168 W. Sauk Trail in South Chicago Heights. For hours and more information, call 708-755-7555.

Country Charm Parking Woes

I drove by Country Charm restaurant at 101 Lincolnway Drive in New Lenox the other day and saw huge sewer pipes filling the parking lot in front of the business (part of the U.S. 30 project) and thought it might be the kiss of death. Lots of local businesses have suffered similar fates in the name of progress.

Then I received an email from Country Charm that said it is business as usual at the breakfast and lunch eatery thanks to a huge parking lot in the rear of the building with access from Andersen Road to the west and Lincolnway Drive to the east.

For information, call 815-485-3996 or visit them online at http://www.thecharmonline/.

Business Unwrapped in Orland Park

Jim Harmening, a former business columnist during my days at the Daily Southtown, will discuss technology for small businesses at a Business Unwrapped brown bag lunch seminar from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orland Park Library, 14920 S. Ravinia Ave. Jim owns a computer consulting company called Computer Bits Inc. and really knows his stuff.

New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center to Open on Friday

A Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open on Friday in New Lenox.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open at 8 a.m. Friday, March 9, at 441 E. Lincoln Highway, next to the Walmart.

The 19,034-square-foot store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with giveaways and special events including a DJ from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday with hourly contests and prizes, free reusable shopping bags with any purchase (while supplies last), and free Starbucks coffee on Saturday. The first customer of the day and donor of the day on Saturday and Sunday will win a special prize.

There will be a raffle to win a gift basket with autographed photos of Chicago Bulls players Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler, along with a $10 Goodwill gift card.

“There will be fresh inventory arriving hourly,” said Cheryl Lightholder, manager, communications of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., which oversees the Chicago area. “We will have one-of-a-kind items and new product from national retailers.”

The store and donation center will be open seven days a week. Store hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The donation center opens an hour earlier each day.

Scott Kraatz is the store manager. The store will have 41 employees with more than half being New Lenox residents and the remainder coming from Manhattan, Homer Glen, Joliet, Mokena, Rockdale and Alsip, said Lightholder.

For information, call 815-463-8832 or visit http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/.

Danny’s Corner Evicted

Cook County Sheriff’s Police on Wednesday placed an eviction notice on Danny’s Corner, 9400 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

But it looks like things may be back to normal soon. Apparently, the business was sold to a new owner who plans to reopen – possibly as soon as this week – with the same hours, staff and menu.

Merlin’s Muffler Opens in Lockport

The new Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop opened last week at 983 E. 9th St. in Lockport. For information and hours, call 815-838-1100 or visit http://www.merlins.com/lockport.

El Potro Opens in Frankfort

A Mexican restaurant called El Potro opened recently at 7818 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort, in the rear kitchen at All Star Sports Bar. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. For information, call 815-464-5664.

Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Mark your calendars for tomorrow if you love pretzels because it's Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's pretzel shops in malls across the Southland.

Pretzel lovers can get a free original pretzel or a cinnamon sugar pretzel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Auntie Anne's shops at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park, Ford City Mall on Chicago's Southwest Side, River Oaks Center in Calumet City, Westfield Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet and Westfield Southlake Mall in Merrillville (or is it Hobart) in northwest Indiana.