Comings & Goings: Chester’s Tavern adds gaming machines to its menu

Danny Zygmunt and Pete Orsi stand in front of Chester's Tavern.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Chester’s Tavern and Orsi’s Pizza at 6255 S. Archer Road in Summit is the latest area establishment to add video gaming to its list of offerings.

Owner Pete Orsi said the five gaming machines went live a couple of weeks ago and he’s even added early morning hours and treats for his customers.

“We are now open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and I have doughnuts and coffee for early bird customers,” Orsi said.

The kitchen still opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch.

Orsi has been busy making improvements. Last year, he bought the building next door and turned it into a grand party room complete with a small bar, pool table and video games. So far, the room has accommodated birthday parties for guests of honor ranging from 1 to 70 years of age.

Dotty’s gaming cafes coming to Illinois

A Naperville-based chain of cafes has big plans for video gaming in Illinois.

Dotty’s, which got its start in 1992 in Nevada, has a unique approach to video gaming.

Dotty’s CEO Dan Fischer plans to open 150 warm, cozy and inviting cafes equipped with video gaming machines as opposed to dark bars that are the usual location for machines in Illinois.

“We cater to women,” he said. “They like to play at Dotty’s because of the atmosphere. It’s nothing like a regular bar.

“Our locations are small, about 1,500 square feet,” he said. “They will have liquor licenses but our emphasis will be more grandma’s kitchen than tavern.”

Fischer, who hails from Minnesota, last year moved his base of operations to Naperville.

“I’m a Midwesterner,” he said.

So far, Dotty’s has 13 leases signed, including one for Lyons.

“We’re negotiating another 75-80 leases,” he said. “I come in and tell the town fathers, ‘We don’t compete with any businesses in your town. We’re a new niche’.”

The first Dotty’s will open this summer, he said. “I’m guessing Lemont will be the first one to go live.”

Bridgeview ribbon cuttings on tap

The Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce will hold two ribbon cuttings on Tuesday, June 11.

First up, at 2 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting for Bargain Center by Lucy at 7735 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.

That will be followed by a ribbon cutting and grand opening for Sno Daze Tropical Sno at 7777 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.

“We’re cutting the ribbon on our first anniversary,” said Lucy Reinhart, owner of Bargain Center by Lucy.

The Tropical Sno shaved ice parlor is owned by her son, Ed Reinhart

Gala grand opening in Lyons

Gala Floral Designs will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at its new location at 7947 W. Ogden Ave. in Lyons.

Owner Veronica Casteneda said she opened the shop six years in Chicago and moved to Lyons earlier this year.

The shop has flowers and floral arrangements for all occasions.

For information, call 708-442-3900 or visit their websites at www.galafloraldesigns.com and www.galauniquedesigns.com.
 

Davern’s Tavern to host veterans benefit

Davern's Tavern and Lounge, which celebrated its first anniversary at 8527 W. 79^th St. in Justice in March, is holding a veterans benefit the weekend of June 14-16.

There will be bands, food, giveaways, and plenty of other entertainment. 

Davern's is looking for any monetary donations or food donation to help out for the event. The goal is $5,000 to help local veterans.

If you are willing to donate, call Joe at 708-715-6182 or stop at the bar.

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 police collect thousands of dollars for Special Olympics

Bridgeview police collect donations for the Special Olympics at the Dunkin' Donuts in Summit.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Bridgeview police raised almost $5,000 for the Special Olympics by collecting donations last week at three area Dunkin’ Donut locations.

“This is a program that we enjoy being a part of,” said Bridgeview Police Chief Russ Harvey while collecting donations in a plastic bucket in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Harlem Avenue in Summit.

“It’s a very good cause,” he said.

Harvey thanked police in Summit, Hickory Hills and Burbank for letting the Bridgeview PD set up shop at Dunkin’ Donut locations in their towns.

“Since we no longer have a Dunkin’ Donuts in town, our neighboring police departments have been kind enough to allow us to take temporary occupation of theirs,” he said.

Harvey said donations totaled $4,845.63 from all three coffee shops.

The morning crew at the Summit Dunkin'Donuts.

“We raised $1,270.22 in Burbank, $2,530.46 in Hickory Hills and $1,044.95 in Summit,” he said.

Inside the shop, owner Kathy Anczerewicz was happy to see the police presence.

“I try to do this every year,” she said. “Here and my other location in Palos Heights. It’s a program that’s close to my heart.

“Those kids deserve everything they can get,” she said. “This is our way of helping them out.”

This was the 11th year in a row that police patrolled the rooftops and parking lots of Dunkin’ Donut coffee shops on the lookout for donations for the Special Olympics.

The police wanted to heighten awareness of the Special Olympics and to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics.

“More than $1.3 million has been raised from this event over the last 10 years and we’re hoping to set new records this year,” said Illinois Torch Run Director and Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith.  “It’s a wonderfully fun event that works.”

A total amount raised in the Chicago area was not available.

Summit woman awaits trial date for fatal collision

By Bob Rakow
Desplaines Valley News

A trial date for a Summit woman whose car struck and killed a man in front of his Summit home is scheduled to be set on Aug. 21.

Salatiel Mendoza, 46, was killed April 29 when he was struck by a car in front of his house in the 7200 block of 61^st Place in Summit. Mendoza was loading wooden boards onto his truck at the time of the accident.

Mendoza was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:55 a.m. about 25 minutes after he was struck, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The driver, Jessica Munoz, 21, also of Summit, appeared to be distracted at the time of the accident, Summit police said.

Munoz appeared in Bridgeview court Tuesday morning accompanied by her attorney, Victor Armendariz.

Armendariz and Summit village attorney Gustavo Munoz agreed to an Aug. 21 status hearing before Judge Patrick Rogers. A trial date will set at that hearing.

Munoz said he will talk to witnesses and prepare for the trial during the weeks leading to the Aug. 21 hearing.

Jessica Munoz, who lives only a few blocks away from Mendoza, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to exercise due care, according to police reports.

A charge of driving without insurance was dropped, Gustavo Munoz said. There were no indications that speeding or alcohol were factors, said Summit police Lt. Bruce Koenig.

Munoz was not texting at the time of the accident, police said. A witness at the scene told police she had a cell phone in her hand when she struck Mendoza, police said.

Mendoza’s truck was double-parked as he loaded it, but there was still enough room for a car to go around the vehicle, Koenig said.