New deli opens in Mokena

Owner Gil Rimsnider stands inside his new restaurant D'Marie's Deli at 19031 Old LaGrange Road in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

D'Marie's Deli, a new sandwich shop, opened a few weeks ago at 19031 Old LaGrange Road in Mokena, next door to the Stoney Point Grill and off-track betting parlor.

The deli replaces that Burrito Joint Caliente, which lasted less than a year in the same location.

Owner Gil Rimsnider said he chose that location for a couple of reasons.

"I knew the burrito joint was closing and I worked in this location years ago as manager of a Sanfratello's," he said. "This is kind of my building."

While admitting that running his own restaurant is "a little bit of a new thing," Rimsnider was confident.

"I think I have a handle on it," he said. "I have some experience."

Rimsnider said the shop would sell sandwiches, for now, but at some point would probably start selling cuts of meat.

The shop sells an extensive selection of burgers and sandwiches including a build-your-own version, but Rimsnider said he had his favorites.

"One of our specialties is called a New York Minute and features corned beef, pastrami, sauerkraut and swiss cheese on marble rye. Kind of a super reuben with the pastrami," he said.

Another favorite, he said, is one called Free Bird, which is grilled citrus chicken breast with bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado and pepper jack cheese on either a plain or pretzel roll.

Rimsnider's favorite cold sandwich is called the Four Horseman and features corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey, banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, muenster cheese and horseradish mayo on a hero roll.

D'Marie's Deli has six tables for dining inside and offers carryout. "We may add delivery down the road," Rimsnider said.

Besides the sandwiches, Rimsnider said the shop has an extensive selection of craft soda pop.

"We have 24 different flavors of craft sodas from throughout the country," he said.

The deli at present is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday.
"We might add hours when the weather gets nicer," he said.

For information and to place an order, call 708-995-7257.

Champs remodeling Chicago Ridge

The Champs store at Chicago Ridge Mall is preparing for a $200,000 remodeling of the 6,000-square-foot sports gear store.

Home Depot hiring for spring

It may not seem like it yet, with more snow and cold in the immediate forecast, but spring is really right around the corner. And Home Depot is planning to hire more than 80,000 people in preparation for the spring, which is its busiest selling season.

Job seekers must apply online at www.careers.homepot.com.

Home Depot has about 30 stores in the Chicago area.

Antiques store opens in Tinley

Different Decades, a store that specializes in antiques, jewelry, artwork, decor and artisan objects, is now open at 17210 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

The store opened in early December in the former location of My Bike Pro.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call the shop at 708-770-9552.

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.

Sentry Foods closing in Midlothian

Sentry Foods is closing in Midlothian.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Independent grocery store Sentry Foods is in its final days at 4640 W. 147th St. in Midlothian.

Employees said the store's last day would be Monday, March 17, unless it runs out of food and other merchandise over the weekend.

The store opened in 1992 and employed more than two dozen workers.

Calls for comment were not returned, but one employee said the reason they were told for the closing was "not enough business."

The store is not affiliated with the Sentry supermarket chain in Wisconsin.

Yogurt shop to replace Wonderburger

Wonderburger, a restaurant that had been serving some of the best burgers and fries on Chicago's Southwest Side for almost 60 years to the day, called it quits for good last week.

Wonderburger closed abruptly Tuesday night at 11045 S. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. The closing was announced on the restaurant's website and in a Tweet. 

"It has been an emotional few months for our family, and we will miss this place dearly! We cannot thank our customers, family, and friends enough for all the love and support you have given us throughout the years. 60 years — it's been a great ride!!" was the message posted on its Facebook page.

A day after the closing, Blue Island businessman Amit Patel said he bought the business and would be reopening the eatery as an Orange Leaf frozen yogurt shop.

Patel also owns a Jimmy John sandwich shop at 12601 S. Western Ave.

An original deal to sell the restaurant collapsed in early January.

Frankfort Chamber Community Showcase

The Frankfort Chamber of Commerce invites you and your family to its 30th annual Community Showcase on Saturday,  March 15, at the Lincoln-Way East High School Field House, 201 Colorado Ave. in Frankfort. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking is free.

Local businesses will be selling their products at the Showcase, so come prepared to purchase some great items. Businesses will also be eager to share information, offer raffles and promotional items to visitors. Artworks will have more than 800 pieces of student artwork in this year's art exhibit that comes from 31 different schools in the Lincoln-Way area.

The Frankfort Lions Club will again sponsor the Heartland Blood Drive Mobile, outside the Field House, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Official Showcase ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 9:45 a.m. inside the Field House and the doors for the event will open immediately after the ceremony at 10 a.m.

Palermo’s Pizza will be onsite selling treats in the food court area.

For complete information, visit Frankfort Chamber of Commerce. 

Funkie Fashions grand opening

Funkie Fashion, which recently moved from Chicago's Mount Greenwood community to Palos Park, will hold its grand opening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at its new location at 131st Street and LaGrange Road, next to the Jewel.

The shop offers a mix of tops, tunics, maxi dresses, jeans, shorts, sweaters, jackets, jewelry, fragrances, footwear, swim suits, spanx, hats, gloves and more.

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.

Noodles & Company opens Monday in Frankfort

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


Noodles & Company, a restaurant that features noodles and pasta dishes, will open its 50th location in Illinois Monday morning at 21075 S. LaGrange Road in an outlot in front of Walgreens and Mariano's Fresh Market in Frankfort.

The 2,434-square-foot restaurant has seating for 64 inside the dining room and 14 on an outside patio.

The Colorado-based chain has more than 380 restaurant locations across the United States. Its menu consists of two dozen customizable dishes such as sweet and spicy Japanese Pan Noodles, zesty Pesto Cavatappi and Wisconsin Mac & Cheese.

Regular restaurant hours will be Monday through Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, call the restaurant at 815- 464-1775.

Last week, Physicians Immediate Care opened a sixth clinic at 21035 S. LaGrange Road in the same outlot building.

The 3,700-square-foot office was the first business to open in the building, which will also house a Jersey Mike's sandwich shop.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. It features an X-ray room, labs, six exam rooms, including two trauma rooms and a pediatric room.

The clinic offers a three-tier pricing plan for patients who do not have health insurance.

Nearby clinics are in New Lenox and Orland Park.

Martini Blu closes in Orland Hills

Martini Blu, a nightclub that specialized in martinis, closed early this year at 8927 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills.

The owner said the club closed on New Year's Day because its landlord would not renew the lease after 11 years.

In a posting on the club's Facebook page, the owner said he would reopen in a new location but did not say when or where.

Self-Storage to open in Lansing

Compass Self Storage will celebrate a new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at 2556 Bernice Road in Lansing. The public is invited.

For information, call 708-418-5950 or visit Compass Self Storage.

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.