Justice to proudly fly Stars and Stripes on major streets in village

By Bob Rakow
Desplaines Valley News

The Stars and Stripes will fly throughout Justice on the Fourth of July and other patriotic holidays after  the village board’s decision to purchase American flags for display on utility poles that line major thoroughfares in the village.

Trustees on Monday agreed to spend $2,000 to purchase 48 embroidered flags that will be displayed on 88^th Avenue, 79^th Street, Roberts Road and Archer Avenue.

“Everybody will immediately notice a change in the village’s appearance,” Mayor Krzysztof Wasowicz said.

The village ultimately wants to display flags on all of the 105 utility poles that line the four major streets, but plans to purchase the remaining flags over the next two years.

“Let’s not go crazy. Let’s start small,” Wasowicz said. “We can always purchase more.”

Funds for the flags will come from the village’s special events fund.

Trustee Sue Small said the village has not flown American flags in several years because it could not afford them.

“We finally have a little money in the budget to do this kind of stuff,” Small said. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Plans call for the flags to be flown on Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day, Small said.

The special events committee has not yet decided how best to display the limited number of flags this year, Small said. They could be posted on every third utility pole or concentrated around major intersections, she said.

Vera Bradley opens store at Orland Square

Workmen install the sign at Vera Bradley at Orland Square Mall.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Vera Bradley, a Fort Wayne-based retailer that specializes in women's bags and accessories, opened a retail store last week at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park.

"Response has been fantastic," said store manager Stephanie Erickson on Monday. "The community has been very supportive and anxious for our arrival."

Erickson said people were calling the mall office asking when the store was going to open and posting the same question repeatedly on the mall's Facebook page.

"We saw lots of people peeking in the windows while we were having training sessions for our new associates," she said with a laugh.

The store is about 2,000 square feet and is located on the lower level near Macy's.

"We're across from the food court," Erickson said.

The Orland location is the company's fifth store in Illinois and the first in the Southland. 

The company was founded with $500 in 1982 and sold its merchandise through retail outlets such as boutiques and department stores like Neiman Marcus. The company didn't open its first store until 2007. Now it has more than 75 retail outlets.

Erickson said there were 18 associates on staff at the Orland Park store. “That’s full-timers and part-timers,” she said.

The store carries a full line of Vera Bradley products, including its well-known handbags. Other products include luggage, tableware, stationery, sunglasses, readers and even rolling luggage. All luggage and bags can be personalized.

Store hours are the same as the mall, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call the store at 708-403-8565.

Tropical Sno now open in Willow Springs

Tropical Sno shaved ice at 8695 S. Archer Road in Willow Springs reopened last month for its seasonal run until around Labor Day. The popular summer spot is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Floyd’s Ale House replaces Charley Horse in New Lenox

Floyd’s Ale House opened recently in the former Charley Horse restaurant at 901 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.

The eatery was remodeled and sports new floor tiles, tables and a paint job and there are still plenty of televisions throughout.

For information, call 815-463-1111.

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.

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.