Flying Dragon Grounded in Tinley

Flying Dragon closed recently in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Flying Dragon, formerly known as Red Dragon Chinese restaurant, appears to be closed. The restaurant at 16651 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park, has been dark on several recent days and the phone number goes unanswered during business hours. There is no Flying Dragon website and the website for Red Dragon has been taken down.

Eva’s Bridals Bounces Back

Six months after reopening in its new location at 5269 W. 95th St., Eva’s Bridals has about put the memory of a devastating fire behind it.

“We’re slowly getting there,” said third generation owner Ronia Ghusein on Tuesday. “People are still coming in and congratulating us on surviving.”

As for the new home?

“We love it,” she said with a laugh. “It feels like we’ve been here for 100 years. I thought it would take a lot longer to make the new location feel like home.”

Eva’s even managed to expand during their desperate times by opening a shop in Tinley Park.

“It’s a smaller store so we made it more of a couture shop,” Ghusein said. “We weren’t sure how it would be received. But business has been so good we decided to keep the Tinley salon open.”

Business is almost back to normal at the Oak Lawn shop and that includes three trunk shows in the next two weeks.

“This is a busy season for brides,” Ghusein said. “Couples get engaged over the holidays and then they spend January, February, March and April planning for a summer wedding.”

The trunk shows are by appointment only (call 708-422-5599) and start Friday with a show by wedding designer Jim Hjelm. His gown collection will be on display from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Mother’s Day.

Also up this weekend is the Sottero and Midgley Trunk Show featuring its Spring Collection. That shows runs all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The James Clifford Trunk Show rolls into town next weekend featuring his couture gown collection. That show runs all day on Friday, May 18, Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20.

For information, call Eva’s or visit Eva's Bridals of Oak Lawn.

New Lenox French Market Returns Saturday

The New Lenox French Market returns this weekend in the south parking lot of Village Hall, 1 Veterans Parkway. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until Oct. 6.

This week, the New Lenox Fire Department will be on hand with its Touch a Truck program and the New Lenox School District 122 Foundation will have a face painting table.

Mother, Daughter Shopping Spree

The Downtown Homewood Business Association is again hosting its Mother and Daughter Shopping Spree on Friday and Saturday in Homewood. There will be special discounts offered as well as raffle prizes.

On Saturday, mothers and daughters can create a beautiful spring bouquet by receiving a flower from each participating merchant:

• Bella Vita
• Art 4 Soul
• Farmer's Insurance
• Nathalie's Interiors
• Global Fusion
• Suzie's Hallmark
• Homewood Florist

Tony’s Villa Rosa Pizza Closes in Mokena

After two years in business at its Front Street location in Mokena, Tony's Villa Rosa Pizza closed its doors last week because of what its manager said was a refusal by the new landlord – Great Lakes Bank – to renew the pizzeria’s lease.

The manager said the pizzeria, which has another location in Frankfort and related businesses in Chicago Heights, intends to reopen soon at a new location in Mokena.

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.

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/.