Chicken Restaurant Now Open in Ford City Shopping Center Food Court

Krispy Krunchy Chicken opened last month in the Ford City food court.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a quick-serve restaurant that features Cajun-style chicken, opened last month in the Ford City Shopping Center food court. The chain was founded in Louisiana, which explains its Cajun-themed menu that includes jambalaya, boudin bites and catfish.

Silver Lake Driving Range Grand Opening

Orland Park Chamber of Commerce members are invited to the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new driving range at Silver Lake Country Club at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11. A day of festivities is planned. RSVP to the chamber or call 708-349-2972.

Rosati’s Closes in Orland

Rosati’s closed a couple of weeks ago at 9023 W. 151st St. in Orland Park. A company spokeswoman said the decision to close was made by the franchisee, who was not available for comment, and there are no immediate plans to reopen the location.

Moo & Oink Mobile Visits Southland

The Moo & Oink mobile will be parked in the parking lot of the Dixmoor Market, 14635 S. Western Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12. To celebrate Mother’s Day, moms, grandmothers and great-grandmothers will be presented with a long-stemmed rose (while supplies last).

Cooks from Moo & Oink will set up the grill and offer samples of a variety of Moo & Oink products such as Moo & Oink burgers and Moo & Oink mild links.

Durbin’s Midlothian Anniversary Bash

Durbin’s of Midlothian, 14733 S. Cicero Ave., will celebrate its fourth anniversary starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday with 25-cent draft beers, $2 Durbins bombs and Apple Pie shots. The restaurant will also serve up live music, a DJ, free pizza buffet and free raffles. For information, visit Durbin's of Midlothian Facebook page.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.


You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Advance Auto Parts, Charter Fitness Under Construction in Mokena

Advance Auto Sales in building a new store on LaGrange Road in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Virginia-based Advance Auto Parts is building an after-market auto store in the last remaining outlot at the Mokena Town Square shopping center at LaGrange and LaPorte roads in Mokena, said Mokena Economic Development Director Alan Zordan.

The store, which will be next to the A&W Root Beer and KFC restaurant, will be the company’s 11th in the Chicago Southland.

For information, visit Advance Auto Parts.

In a related development, Orland Park-based Charter Fitness is remodeling the shopping center’s former Carpetland USA space for its Mokena health club, which will be moving from its present location at 9418 W. 191st St.

The new location is expected to be ready by this fall.

For information, visit Charter Fitness.

Cosi Leaving Orland Park

Cosi, 15139 S. LaGrange Road, seems to be on its way out of Orland Park. Emails to the company were not answered and Inland Real Estate Corp., which owns Orland Park Place, did not return phone calls, but the company lists the 3,000-square-foot Cosi space as “coming available” on its Orland Park Place site plan.

The Deerfield-based chain is in trouble and has seen its stock price plummet 85 percent in the past five years.

Mom’s Night Out at Orland Square Mall

Mom’s can enjoy a night out being pampered by vendors at Orland Square Mall’s third annual Mom’s Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 10.

Some of this year’s vendors include Dove, Little Black Dress Vodka, Silver Cross Hospital, Cabot Cheese, Sunshine Yoga Studio, Macy’s, Bare Escentuals and Scentsy.

For information, call Gayle Gleespen at 708-349-1647.

Tinley Chamber Doings

The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce has two events this week – one before work and one after.

Chamber members have been invited to a school-business summit from 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Andrew High School, 9100 W. 171st St. Call Marcia Gustavson at 708-342-5811 to reserve a spot.

Chamber members are also invited to an Ice Cream Social Open House from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, to celebrate Jay Walsh’s anniversary with Edward Jones at 7915 W. 171st St.

RSVP to the chamber or by calling 708-532-5700.

White Sox Closer to Sign at Triple Threat Sports New Frankfort Location

Triple Threat Sports, a full service sports apparel and novelties store, moved last month from its longtime home in Mokena to new digs at 19925 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort, next to Play It Again Sports in the Hickory Creek Marketplace.

To help celebrate the move, Triple Threat will have a ticketed autograph session with White Sox closer Hector Santiago from 7-8 p.m. Thursday. Advance pricing is $10 for any item or two items for $15.

For information or tickets, call 815-806-8875 or 708-478-6090 or visit Triple Threat Sports or its Facebook page.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.


You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

BMW of Orland Park Has New Home

BMW of Orland Park opened in its new digs over the weekend.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

BMW of Orland Park opened the doors Saturday of its new home at 159th Street and Wolf Road in Orland Park and will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The dealership on Friday moved from its longtime home at 8470 W. 159th St. That space will be used by the adjacent Mercedes-Benz of Orland Park. Both dealerships are owned by the same Pennsylvania-based auto group.

The new 60,000-square-foot dealership has a tax-sharing agreement with the village for sales tax generated by the new store for the next 10 years as well as a property tax abatement agreement.

For information, visit BMW of Orland Park or its Facebook page.

Burrito Loco Changes Name


El Burrito Loco at 8005 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park was sold recently and it now goes by the name Los 3 Burritos. Everything else remains the same including the hours, menu, quality of the food and its phone number, 708-429-4195.

CSCVB Celebrates National Tourism Day

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau will host a Business After Hours to observe National Tourism Day on Wednesday, May 9, from 5-7 p.m. at the CSCVB Offices, 2304 E. 173rd St. in Lansing, with a celebration of tourism's benefits to the local, regional and state economy.

In addition, CSCVB will host a silent auction with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Sertoma Centre, 4343 W. 123rd St. in Alsip, a training and job placement center for disabled adults.

For information, call Elizabeth at 708-895-8200.

Veterans Business Boot Camp

Governors State University will host its annual Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp on Wednesday, May 9.

The daylong event includes speakers, seminars, expert panel discussions designed to promote veteran business start-up and growth and development of existing veteran-owned businesses.

Seminar topics include Marketing Your Business on a Shoestring Budget, Veteran Financing Opportunities Through the SBA and a Variety of Lenders, Military Friendly Franchising Opportunities, Your Internet Presence, Planning Your New Business, Business Plans Why?, Biz Plan Financials, Government Contracting - How to get my business Certified MBE, WBE, SDVOSB 8(a), Export Opportunities the "Law and Order of Entrepreneurship," Business Killers, Develop a Referral Mindset and Perception - what are they thinking?

The event is free to veterans. A complimentary breakfast and full lunch will be provided.

All presentation material and other helpful tools will be provided free to attendees on a dog tag-style flash drive.

Cost is $25 for business partners of veterans and family members (due at registration).

For information, call Bob Rakstang at 708-534-8390.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.