Wienermobile to visit Frankfort

The Wienermobile will visit Frankfort on Sunday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit the new Mariano’s Fresh Market at 21001 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday.

The Wienermobile  is in the Chicago area as part of the company’s 25^th anniversary of Hot Dog High, which trains a dozen college graduates to be Hotdoggers each year to pilot the Wienermobile.

Hotdogger Deli Elliot and co-Hotdogger Cookout Kelly will hand out Wiener Whistles, play games and 

pose for pictures.

The Wienermobile will also stop at Mariano’s at 5353 N. Elston Ave. from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and

At 1720 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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 follow business happenings at Comings & Goings.

The Softer Side closing in Frankfort

The Softer Side in Frankfort is going out of business.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Softer Side accessories store at 20881 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort is going out of business after seven years.

The biggest change for co-owner Rachel Klementzos, of Frankfort, will be having a new boss after working with her mom, Jodey Klementzos.

“I started working here with my Mom right out of high school,” said Rachel, 25, a Lincoln-East High School graduate.

She has a job lined up working in the business insurance industry.

“It’s a complete change from what I’ve been doing for the past seven years,” she said, but at least she gets to stay in Frankfort.

“It had a lot to do with the economy,” she said explaining the decision to close. “It also had a lot to do with new stores opening in the area that sell the same merchandise we do.”

The store will stay open until May or June, she said.

“It all depends on how fast we sell off the inventory,” she said adding the store has already marked down non-clearance merchandise 20 percent off.

For information, call the store at 815-469-8815 or visit the Softer Side Facebook page.

China Buffet closes in Tinley

The New China Buffet closed recently at 16141 S. Harlem Ave. in the Tinley Park Plaza shopping center.

Teavana coming to Chicago Ridge Mall

Teavana, which is a tea lover’s paradise, will be taking the place of Underground by Journeys, a footwear store, at Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge. The store carries tea and accessories and is expected to open later this year.

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 follow business happenings at Southland Savvy.

Legends to open Tuesday in Mokena

Legends Grill and Bar will open at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mokena.

It’s a few months behind schedule, but Legends Grill and Bar will finally open its doors at 11 a.m. Tuesday at 9710 W. 191st St. in Mokena, next to Scrementi’s in the Boulevard shopping center.

It’s the long awaited second location for Legends, which has been operating in Yorkville for some years now.

Mokena’s location will be open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight with an additional hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The grill will offer lunch and dinner and appetizers.

For information, call 708-995-7278 or visit Legends Mokena or its Facebook page.  

FrancoNello’s may be opening this month

Marty Joyce, chief of staff for Ald. Matt O’Shea said he believes FrancoNello’s at 10222 S. Western Ave. in Beverly may be opening later this month.

“I know they’re making progress,” he said. “The tables and chairs are there and it looks ready to go. They have really done a nice job remodeling the upstairs bar.”

“Don’t hold me to it, but I heard they were going to open March 23.”

The Italian restaurant burned down on Labor Day 2011. Its Facebook page has been promising a reopening since October.

The restaurant also said on its Facebook page that customers holding expired Groupon offers should not despair. The restaurant promised to honor the offers once its doors are open.

Calls and emails to the restaurant haven’t been returned.

Jordan’s getting new name, look

Jordan’s Pub & Eatery at 13500 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park is getting a new name and look.

The sports bar is transitioning into the Ale House Grill, which will be more neighborhood restaurant and less sports bar. Ale House promises daily specials, fresh baked bread, two outdoor patios and an easy carry-out area.

Ale House will maintain an upstairs sports bar, which remains open while the owners turn the main floor of the building into a restaurant.

The transition started right after the Super Bowl.

A soft opening is expected soon with a grand opening to follow.

For information, check out the Ale House Grill 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 follow business happenings at Comings & Goings.