Sam Maguire’s to be Sold at Auction

Sam Maguire's in Orland Park to be auctioned off at judicial sale on June 8.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sam Maguire’s Irish Pub, which closed suddenly on Jan. 8, will be sold at a court-ordered judicial sale in Chicago on June 8.

“All the parties involved wanted to move this sale along,” said Michael Coughlin, an attorney with Burke & Handley, who is handling the case.

A foreclosure lawsuit was filed by State Bank of Countryside in September 2011 against the popular Orland Park restaurant at 39 Orland Square Drive. The bank was seeking more than $2.2 million from restaurant owners Michael Wilke, Marian Wilke and MTT Investments LLC.

At the time of the closing in January, a spokeswoman for State Bank of Countryside said the foreclosure was not a factor.

"We had nothing to do with their closing," said Mary McNally, a loan officer at the State Bank of Countryside branch in Homer Glen.

Coughlin said there were initial fears the property might be damaged after the closing but the building was secured and a receiver was appointed to safeguard the property.

Coughlin wouldn’t speculate on how many bidders would attend the June 8 sale, which is being handled by The Judicial Sale Corp.

“It depends on the general public’s interest,” he said.

Sam Maguire’s had been for sale for months before it closed with an asking price of $2.7 million. The property is still listed at online realty websites as being for sale with an asking price of $2.2 million.

The closing in January caught employees and patrons completely by surprise. Many of them posted messages on the pub’s website lamenting its shutdown.

Caribou Coffee Closing in Homewood

A decision to close the Caribou Coffee shop at 2010 W. 183rd St. in Homewood on Sunday has caused quite a ruckus in town. Why not join the conversation at the Homewood-Flossmoor Patch, which has gotten lots of comments about the move.

Joy’s Best Friends 3rd Annual Open House

Joy’s Best Friends Best Bites will host its third annual open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at 13034 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park. Leashed pets are always welcome.

There will be free gifts and raffles with proceeds going to WAGS Animal Assisted Therapy, which will have some of its therapy dogs on hand.

For information, call 708-448-1515 or visit Joy's Best Friends.

Homewood Farmer’s Market returns Saturday

Homewood is celebrating the 30th anniversary this year of its farmer’s market, which returns tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Village Hall parking lot. The market runs until Oct. 20.

Besides the usual fresh food, drinks, vegetables and flowers, this year the market features Green Thumb Saturdays from 9:30-10:15 a.m. in the Village Hall Council Chambers. The free program will be offered each month by University of Illinois master gardeners who will help both novice and experienced gardeners.

Charter Fitness Offers Free Passes to Military

Charter Fitness is giving free gym passes to any member of the military on short-term leave from active duty.

The Orland Park-based fitness chain also is waiving joining fees for locally-based members of the military and their spouses and children. This deal also applies to local police and firefighters and their families.

Service personnel home on leave need only present their IDs and leave papers to qualify for the free passes, which are good for the duration of their leave and entitle them to full use of Charter Fitness locations.

For information and locations, visit Charter Fitness.

RoccoVino’s Grand Opening

RoccoVino’s Italian Restaurant, which opened to the public on May 7, will hold its ribbon cutting and grand opening at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, at its new home at 11255 W. 143rd St. For information, call the chamber at 708-349-2972.

Orland Township Job Fair on Tuesday

Orland Township is hosting a free job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at the township activity center, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park.

Companies scheduled to attend include Western and Southern Financial Group, Home Instead Senior Care, Palos Community Hospital, Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, Bridgestone Retail Operations, Marquette Bank, Avon, Cintas, Bath & Body Works, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Corn Products International, Plastipak Packaging, Governors State University, Prudential Insurance, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Pace Suburban Bus Company, Express, Primerica, All State Insurance, Rodan and Field Dermotologists and Farmers Insurance Group.

Business attire is required and attendants should bring updated resumes.

For information, visit Orland Township Job Fair. Employers interested in participating may call 708-403-4222.

Bridge Teen Center Open House

The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 S. 71st Court in Orland Park, will host a Community Open House tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate its second anniversary.

The event is open to the public and is designed to raise awareness of the importance of afterschool programs in the community. Free food from Famous Dave's, free gelato from Nonna's, live music from student band Sugar Rush, a student-led cupcake culinary demo, facility tours, and a preview of summer programs will be available throughout the day.

For information, call 708-532-0500 or visit The Bridge Teen Center.

Old Orland Sidewalk Sale

Susie's Trunk Show & Emporium, 9959 W. 143rd St., is one of the Old Orland Antique Shops holding a community sidewalk sale on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call 708-364-9336 or visit Old Orland Antique Shops. Other shops include Anna B’s, Beacon Hill, On the Road Again and the General Store.

Deal of Next Week: Free Original Chicken Sandwiches

If you like Chick-fil-A original chicken sandwiches, head to the Orland Park store for a freebie from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 21.

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.

Sears Closing Store in Matteson, Lincoln Mall to be Sold at Auction

Sears is closing its store at Lincoln Mall in Matteson.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sears is closing its anchor store at Lincoln Mall in Matteson and has begun a store closing sale.

The retailer opened the Matteson store in the mid-1990s after it closed a store in Park Forest. Sears replaced Weiboldt’s, which was an original anchor at the mall when it opened in 1973.

Emails to Sears were not returned, but the SouthtownStar reports the closing is connected to a June 1 judicial auction of Lincoln Mall and is not part of a massive store closing under way by Sears and Kmart.

The store’s shutdown will leave Sears with two stores in the south suburbs, one at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park and another at River Oaks Center in Calumet City.

Sears’ departure also will leave Lincoln Mall with Carson’s as its single anchor store, though JCPenney and Target have stores next to the mall. Those stores moved next to Lincoln Mall as part of a redevelopment effort that cut a new street from Cicero Avenue to U.S. 30 behind the mall.

The mall, which has been on a decline for more than a decade, is scheduled to be sold at auction in Chicago on June 1. The auction was ordered by a judge to satisfy a $44 million judgment against the mall’s owner Realty America, which bought Lincoln Mall in 2003 but filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

“The mall will be sold but it will not be closing,” said Michelle Panovich, a receiver for the mall and a senior vice president with Mid-America Asset Management.

Another retailer – Best Buy – just closed a nearby store.

Despite Lincoln Mall’s troubles, Matteson has had some luck drawing in new businesses. A Ross Dress for Less opened last year in a shopping center northwest of Lincoln Mall and a new strip center across the street from the mall at U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue recently welcomed a Five Guys burger joint and a Chipotle restaurant.

Oak Lawn Plant Sale

The Oak Lawn Garden Club will hold its annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Centennial Park Gazebo at 94th Street and Nashville Avenue. That's a new location this year. The club will also be selling containers, house plants, herbs, baskets, vegetables, garden art, oval planters and Perlite.

Gloria Jean’s Shows Off New Look Coffee Shop

Gloria Jean’s Coffees officially unveiled its first Coffee House of the Future this week at Chicago Ridge Mall.

The new look coffee shop features a barista espresso bar, a whole bean coffee table, a gift area where customers can create their own gift baskets, and seating.

"Our well trained team is very passionate about coffee and providing the highest quality beverages and food to our guests, together with outstanding service and a welcoming environment," said Gloria Jean's Chicago Ridge franchise partner Muddassar Alvi in a release.

The Australian-based company has more than 900 coffee shops throughout the world, with 74 in the United States. The Chicago Ridge location is between Aldi and Sears.

Schilling to Hold Deck Expo

Schilling will hold an outdoor living and deck expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at its Mokena location at 9900 W. 191st St. There will be free food from Hog Haven, a DJ, raffles and free samples. Carol McGowan from country station WCCQ will broadcast from the store from 9-11 a.m.

Schilling also announced that it will be expanding the Mokena location, which opened two years ago.

Marquette Bank Financial Open House

Marquette Wealth Management will host a free “Spring Into Action” financial open house from 2-5 p.m. on 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/.

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/.