Rainbow takes over former Fashion Bugs

Rainbow has replaced Fashion Bug stores in Bridgeview and Orland Hills.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Fashion Bug stores at 9295 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills’ Orland Towne Center and 8735 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview’s Southfield Plaza didn’t stay vacant very long.

Those locations, and another in Merrillville, Ind., were quickly snapped up by Rainbow Shops, a Brooklyn-based retailer that saw an opportunity to expand and seized it.

“When we saw Fashion Bug was going out of business, we entered into a deal to pick up about 100 of its unexpired leases,” said Adin Goldberg, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. ‘Separately, we worked with landlords to acquire another 20 to 25 sites that no longer had leases.”

“We looked at it as an opportunity to expand,” Goldberg said. “It was a good opportunity for us.”

Rainbow even worked with Fashion Bug to retain as many employees as they could in the new stores.

Goldberg said the former Fashion Bugs tend to be larger than usual Rainbow stores and employ eight to 13 associates either full-time or part-time.

He said the new stores also carry a wider selection of Rainbow offerings including junior and plus sizes, children’s apparel and shoes.

Rainbow Shops were founded in 1935 and with the current expansion now have 1,150 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Blockbuster closing in Evergreen

The downsizing of Blockbuster continues with the closing of the Evergreen Park location at 2650 W. 95th St. A going out of business sale is in progress until April 21 or sooner, if the inventory runs out. For information, call the store at 708-423-0022.

Bayberry Pantry closed again in Tinley

Bayberry Pantry, 8004 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, is closed again. The convenience store had reopened in Bayberry Plaza in August 2011 after being closed.

Clark station closed in Orland

The Clark gas station at 14800 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is closed and the property has been fenced off.

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.

Largest doughnut plant in North America opens in Bedford Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new doughnut bakery was introduced Saturday at 5353 W. 73^rd St. in Bedford Park, though the Unified CML plant won’t actually start making doughnuts for a few more weeks.

The plant, described by Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady as the second biggest doughnut bakery in the world and the largest in North America, plans to supply 7 million dozen doughnuts to about 300 Dunkin’ Donut stores every year.

That’s more than 200,000 doughnuts per day.

Specifics are skimpy as the company’s general manager declined to answer questions, but the company has been busy for the past several weeks hiring delivery drivers and plant workers.

Brady said the plant was a little less than 100,000 square feet and was projected to hire about 100 workers when at full capacity. He said the company received some assistance from TIF district funds to buy equipment.

The company was founded in 2010.

Who knew? I always thought the doughnuts were made in the back.

Menards holds job fair in Evergreen Park

Menards, which is building a new home improvement store at 9100 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park, is holding a special job fair for Evergreen Park residents from 3-7 p.m. today in the council chambers at Village Hall, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave.

The store is also taking applications this week for full-time and part-time positions. Apply in person at the store from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Creamery locations open for the season

Creamery locations in Mokena, Frankfort and Orland Hills have opened for the season and the store in Manteno opens on Friday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Locations in Homer Glen, New Lenox and Manhattan are open all year.

For information, visit the Creamery on Facebook or check out the Creamery website.

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.

Andy’s Frozen Custard coming this summer to Burbank, Countryside

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Andy’s Frozen Custard has been so impressed with the results at its Oak Lawn location on Cicero Avenue that opened two years ago that it recently agreed to open new locations in Countryside and Burbank.

“The South Side works for us,” said company President Andy Kuntz. “These two locations will help our brand awareness.”

The Missouri-based company is looking to break ground this month on former firehouse property at 5745 S. LaGrange Road in Countryside and in April at 79^th Street and Harlem Avenue in Burbank.

“We should be open in Countryside by the end of May or beginning of June and about 30 days behind that in Burbank,” Kuntz said.

Each location will employ about 25 people and feature the giant ice cream cone that rotates outside of the Oak Lawn store.

The new sites will be the company’s fourth and fifth in Illinois. A location at Block 37 in downtown Chicago closed last year.

J. Crew closes in Orland

The J. Crew clothing store closed a few weeks ago at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park.

Back to Bed closes in Frankfort

The Back to Bed store closed recently at the Hickory Creek Marketplace at LaGrange and St. Francis roads in Frankfort.

LIDS Locker Room coming to Chicago Ridge

A LIDS Locker Room store, a mall-based division of the LIDS chain, is planning a 3,100-square-foot store inside Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge. LIDS Locker Room sells sports headwear, apparel, accessories and novelties. The project has an estimated cost of $130,000.

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