Applebee’s closing Southland locations

Applebee's is expected to close at least eight restaurants next month including this one on LaGrange Road in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
 Southland Savvy

Applebee’s restaurants in Homewood, Mokena and Tinley Park are among eight expected to close next month as part of a bankruptcy involving their franchise owner.

The casual-dining chain has 33 locations in the Chicago area and all are owned and operated by AppleIllinois LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month in the Eastern District of Kentucky.

In court filings, AppleIllinois said it expects to sell 15 of the restaurants for $2.4 million to RMH Illinois LLC as part of an auction supervised by the U.S. bankruptcy court. No specific locations were mentioned in court documents.

The eight slated for closure are among 18 that are expected to go on the auction block no later than June 10. No buyer has been identified for the 18 locations but the franchisee indicated there was interest in at least some of them.

A spokesman for AppleIllinois told the Tribune that additional locations may close after the auction.   

Applebee’s has 2,000 U.S. restaurants, of which all but two dozen are owned by independent business owners.

Also expected to close are restaurants in Geneva, Palatine, Romeoville, Schaumburg and Streamwood.

Because of the uncertainty, AppleIllinois has informed the state of potential layoffs totaling more than 1,700 in Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

“They notified employees at all 33 restaurants,” AppleIllinois spokesman Dan Smith told the Tribune.

Layoffs will begin June 22 and be completed by July 6, according to court documents.

The chain also has Southland locations in Matteson, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Calumet City, Evergreen Park, Hodgkins, Chicago and Joliet.

Locations in northwest Indiana are not affected by the bankruptcy.

Sherwin-Williams opens in New Lenox

A new Sherwin-Williams paint store opened last week at 1060 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The store is managed by Megan Campbell.

For information, call 815-463-8990 or visit Sherwin-Williamsonline.

Siam Marina closes this week

Unless they get another extension on their lease, Siam Marina will be closing its Calumet City location in River Oaks Mall on Wednesday.

The popular Asian fusion seafood restaurant will be moving into new digs at 16846 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park sometime this summer. It has already had its lease in Cal City extended a couple of times.

The restaurant combines Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cuisines together with a seafood theme.

Owners are executive chef Tammy Pham, who grew up in Saigon, and her husband Sapion Chung, who was born in the United States and who manages the restaurant.

They also own Asparagus, an Asian fusion and vegetarian restaurant, in Merrillville, Ind.

Evergreen Menards kicks off grand opening

The Evergreen Park Menards grand opening celebration will run through May 19 at 9100 S. Western Ave. Scheduled events and appearances include:

• John Cage, chainsaw carver, daily demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11 through May 14.
• Dan Hampton, legendary Chicago Bears player, from 6-8 p.m. May 13.
• Otis Wilson, legendary Chicago Bears player, from 6-8 p.m. May 15.
• Jack McDowall, 1993 Cy Young winner for the Chicago White Sox, from 6-8 p.m. May 16.
• Paul Menard’s 2011 Indy Brickyard No. 27 car and Matt Crafton’s No. 88 truck, from noon to 8 p.m., May 13-15
• Matt Crafton, NASCAR truck series driver, Menards-sponsored Toyota Tundra No. 88, 5-7 p.m. May 14.
• Mr. Clean from noon to 5 p.m. May 18.

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.com.

Bridgeview’s Under the Dome Car Show celebrates 10th anniversary

Jimmy & Jerrie Jones of Bridgeview.

By Howard Ludwig
Desplaines Valley News

Even the slightest chance of rain can kill a car show. Gearheads aren’t willing to get their prized possessions wet. Spectators aren’t interested in pouring over hot rods when it’s pouring outside.

The Under the Dome Car Show has a distinct advantage in this regard. The show celebrated its 10th anniversary on Saturday within the climate-controlled confines of the Bridgeview Sports Dome at 8900 S. 77^th Ave. in Bridgeview.

Roughly 125 vehicles parked beneath the dome, alongside 45 vendors selling various gifts and crafts. The event was free to attend. Tom Landek, director of Parks and Recreation for the Bridgeview Park District, estimated a crowd of some 1,000 onlookers.

Jimmy and Jerri Jones, of Bridgeview, arrived in their 1978 Corvette. This was the couple’s first car show. They were surprised to see so many neighbors and friends, unknowingly parking alongside fellow parishioner from church.

“I’ll definitely be back next year,” Jimmy Jones said.

Glenn Lubas, of Bridgeview, has missed the Under the Dome Car Show only once in its 10-year history. He stood proudly beside his 1960 Oldsmobile Super 88, sharing stories of the car he’s owned for 29 years.

“I’ve only been married for 21 years. She (his wife) said I’m gonna bury you in this car,” Lubas said.

Lubas lives three blocks away from the Bridgeview Sports Dome. He used to take his red Oldsmobile on longer trips. That was before the price of gasoline topped $4 per gallon. Nowadays, he puts less than 200 miles per year on his classic car.

Lenny Bradley, of Burbank, stood out for many reasons on Saturday. His 1975 Honda 360T was the only motorcycle at the car show. The bike was also painted neon green and black. Ornate artwork adorned his ride, including a portrait of Marilyn Monroe on the gas tank.

“I was gonna paint it white and black, but everybody does white and black,” Bradley said.

He’s owned his Honda motorcycle for five years. The design is intended to match his many tattoos, which are also inspired by classic Hollywood. His hair was colored deep blue. Between the motorcycle and the driver, it was difficult not to take notice.

Ralph Aufmann, of Franklin Park, almost skipped the car show. He knew his replica 1934 Ford would stay dry inside the dome, but he was worried the rain might start falling during the commute.

He’s owned his fiberglass car for three years. It’s only been in the rain three times. One of those times, the electric doors malfunctioned. Thankfully, the window was open, and he was able get inside.

Aufmann also dressed the part. He wore a purple undershirt and gray sweatshirt on Saturday. It was no coincidence that his attire matched the gray hot rod with purple pinstripes. He admitted his car isn’t perfect. The gearing is less than ideal for highway driving, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“I’m 72 years old. Where the hell am I going?” he said.

CherryBerry yogurt shop opens in Orland

CherryBerry yogurt is now open in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Orland Park’s frozen yogurt scene added another player with the April 26 opening of CherryBerry at 15890 S. LaGrange Road.

The shop’s self-serve style is apparent in its mantra, said general manager Mary Whiteman.

“Swirl it, top it, weigh it and pay it,” she said with a laugh.

“Customers choose from a 16-ounce or 20-ounce cup,” she said. “You decide what you want. You pick out whatever yogurt you want and then your toppings and then we weigh it.”

The cost is then 57 cents per ounce.

“What separates us from most other frozen yogurt shops is that we use real products,” she said. “None of our yogurts are made from mixes or syrups.”

CherryBerry offers 50 different flavors of yogurts with 14 that rotate and 21 more that can be swirled together, she said.

Then there are the 50 toppings.

“I think we have every kind of topping you can imagine,” Whiteman said. “From peanuts to fresh fruit. I also have a cold bar that holds little chocolates that could melt.”

Unless specified, all of the yogurt flavors are gluten-free and peanut free.

“We have non-fat, reduced fat and no sugar added yogurts,” Whiteman said.

“We also have non-dairy sorbets.”

The store has a party room that can used for free for meetings and there are party packages available for birthdays parties and other celebrations.

The store is the first in the south suburbs though the company has other locations are in Plainfield and Bolingbrook.

Store hours are Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

CherryBerry joins three frozen yogurt shops that opened in Orland Park last year. TCBY, Red Mango and Trugurt all opened stores on LaGrange Road.

For information, call 708-349-8800, visit CherryBerry online or check out the shop’s Facebook page.

Back to Bed opens in Frankfort

Back to Bed has reopened its mattress store at 19959 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 815-464-8003.

Martial arts studio opens in Willow Springs

Team United Martial Arts Academy opened its new sports center at 8695 S. Archer Ave. in Willow Springs on May 1.

The school will offer classes for everyone from 3 years old and up.

For information, call 630-340-2263 or visit Team United online.

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.