Francesca’s on 95th Honors Teachers

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Francesca’s on 95th is showing its appreciation for educators by asking students to nominate their favorite teacher and by offering teachers 15 percent off their check when dining at Francesca’s between now and July 1.

“We wanted to show our appreciation to teachers,” said Francesca’s general manager Paul Frencl. Only one 15 percent off deal per table is valid, Frencl said, but the discount is good for everyone at the table. It also can’t be combined with other offers. Teachers just have to show a school ID to qualify for the discount, which is available from now to July 1.

Francesca’s also wants students to honor their teachers. The restaurant is asking students to submit their favorite teacher to Francesca’s Facebook page by this Friday. Then the restaurant will ask visitors to its Facebook page to vote and the top three teachers will walk away with either a $100, $50 or $25 gift card from Francesca’s.

The students who nominate the top three teachers will each receive a $10 gift card.

Winners will be announced on Francesca’s on 95th Facebook page on June 8.

“We’re trying to get the community involved with Francesca’s on 95th through social media,” Frencl said.

Submissions must include the teacher’s name and an approved photo, the teacher’s school and grade they teach, why the teacher deserves to win, their favorite dish at Francesca’s and the student’s name.

For information, call Frencl at 708-598-7007.

Tastee Freez to Host Alsip, Palos Chambers

Tastee Freez, 11906 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights, is hosting a Business After Hours from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday for members of the Alsip and Palos chambers of commerce.

Sam’s Triple Crown to Cut Ribbon

Orland Hills officials will help celebrate the opening of Sam’s Triple Crown and Trackside OTB with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Manager Tony Mannerino said an official grand opening will be held at a later date.

Frankfort Cruise Nights Start Thursday

Cruisin’ Frankfort begins this week when the Frankfort Car Club resumes its weekly cruise night from 6-9 p.m. Thursday in downtown Frankfort.

For a complete list of weekly schedules and a map showing new parking locations, visit Frankfort Car Club Cruisin’ Frankfort.

Frankfort Square Community Garage Sale

The Frankfort Square Park District is sponsoring its annual communitywide garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Each registered participant’s address is included on a list of participating homes that is available at the park district office.

Marquette Bank Financial Open House

Marquette Wealth Management will host a free “Spring Into Action” financial open house from 2-5 p.m. Friday at 7560 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. To register, call 708-614-4720.

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/.

Bachrach Opens 2nd Orland Store

Bachrach Menswear is holding an open house tomorrow at its new Orland Park store.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bachrach Menswear likes Orland Park so much the chain has opened a second store in the village at 14205 S. LaGrange Road in the Orland Crossing shopping center. The California-based retailer also has a store inside Orland Square Mall, which will remain open.

The retailer – which got its start in 1877 in downstate Decatur – is holding an open house for the community starting with a ribbon cutting at noon Wednesday, May 16.

Associate Linnea Carizeau said the store will have buy one, get one free deals, entertainment and refreshments as well as a raffle for a new suit.

The new store opened a few weeks ago and is the retailer’s fourth in Illinois. At 5,000 square feet, it’s bigger than the mall location.

“We’ll carry a bigger selection and newer items,” Carizeau said.

Store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information, call 708-403-5756.

Central Collision Hosts Mokena, Southland Chambers

Central Collision is hosting a Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at 9646 W. 196th St. in Mokena for members of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and the Southland Chamber of Commerce.

The 30-year-old company operates six auto repair shops in Peotone, Mokena, Crete, New Lenox, Oak Forest and Tinley Park.

This is a free networking event featuring appetizers, libations, raffle drawings, tours of the facility, and repair demonstrations.

Donate Blood, Get T-Bolts Ticket

Anyone who donates blood from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Heartland Blood Center, 107 Bankview Drive in Frankfort, will receive a free ticket to a Windy City Thunderbolts baseball game. Donors also will receive an $11 Oberweis gift card.

The blood center also will be giving away hot dogs and chips and free BBQ sets to donors. T-Bolts mascot Boomer will be on hand from 4-5 p.m. for photos and autographs.

For information, call 800-786-4483.

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/.

The Great Escape Opens First Superstore in Orland Park

The Great Escape has opened its first superstore in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Home leisure retailer The Great Escape has opened its first superstore in the former Linens-n-Things at 15854 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

“It’s a soft opening because we’re not 100 percent complete,” store manager Jason Swinson said last week. “We’ll have our grand opening in a couple of weeks, but we wanted to be open in time for Mother’s Day.”

Swinson said the new store also is home to Chicago Home Fitness boutique, which moved from its former location at 14934 S. LaGrange Road. Swinson said The Great Escape acquired the fitness chain last year and is integrating those stores into its Great Escape locations.

Also new to the Orland store, Swinson said, is a concept store within a store for Jacuzzi spas.

Swinson said the store also has cutting edge technology for backyard planning.

“We have a Tropitone Design Center that uses a computer to design a backyard layout based on your particulars,” he said. “It plans everything down to the fabric and colors.”

In addition, the store has a huge selection of grills, pools and patio sets, he said.

“We have 150 patio sets on display,” Swinson said. “A regular store might have 40 sets on display. We also have three pools on display.”

The Great Escape store at 7787 W. 159th St. in Tinley Park will remain open as a closeout store and pool chemical store, Swinson said.

For information, call 708-403-2160 or visit The Great Escape or Chicago Home Fitness.

Law Office Opens in Tinley

The Law Office of Krydnski & Frigo, 18311 N. Creek Drive, Suite G, Tinley Park, will host an open house and ribbon cutting for the Tinley Park and Orland Park chambers of commerce starting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15. The ribbon cutting will take place at 5 p.m. Let's Do Lunch will provide refreshments.

Vein Clinics Open House

Vein Clinics of America will hold an open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, to celebrate the opening of its new Orland Park office at 14225 S. 95th Avenue, Suite 45S.

Sbarro Opens in Lincoln Oasis

Sbarro, a fast-food Italian restaurant usually found in shopping mall food courts has opened in the Lincoln Oasis in South Holland on the Illinois Tollway (Interstates 80/294). The restaurant features Italian entrees, pasta, salads and pizza. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

GNC Opens in New Lenox

GNC opened a health store recently at 2532 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox in the former Elizabeth Jade Salon. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. It’s the retailer’s 16th store in the Southland. For information, call 815- 462-0092 or visit GNC.

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.