AMC shuts down 16-screen theater in Country Club Hills

A rental truck sits in front of the closed AMC theater in Country Club Hills a few days after it closed. (Photo by Bob Bong)

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The AMC movie chain has closed its 16-screen theater at 167th Street and Interstate 57 in Country Club Hills.

"AMC was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord and the theatre’s final day of operations was Sunday, Jan. 10," Ryan Noonan, director of corporate communications for AMC, said in an email. "We thank our guests at AMC Country Club Hills and invite them to continue enjoying their AMC experience a few miles away at AMC Loews Crestwood 18."

Thrift center moves to Lansing

The Harvest Thrift Store has moved from its longtime home in Calumet City to a new location in Lansing and renamed itself the New 2 You Quality Resale Shop in the process.

The thrift store recently moved into its new digs at 18230 S. Torrence Ave. in the former Dekker Electric building.

The thrift store has been operated for the past 15 years by parents, alumni and staff of Lansing Christian School in Lansing and Calvin Christian School in South Holland. All proceeds are divided between the two schools to help parents pay for tuition to the two private schools. Since opening, the store has contributed about $2.8 million to the two schools.

The schools decided to move the store because of the deterioration of the Wentworth Woods shopping center building and surrounding area, the high cost of rent and the reduced amount of customer traffic in the area. 

Store managers said they hope the new location would result in an increase in sales, a renewed enthusiasm for the store, and a more pleasant and inviting environment for shoppers and volunteers.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Donations are accepted during store hours, or furniture items can be scheduled for pick up. Accepted items include: clothing, furniture, house wares, books, shoes, sporting goods, toys, magazines, seasonal items and tools. The store does not accept infant car seats, mattresses, bowling balls and appliances. 

For information or to volunteer, call 708-889-6369.

Panera adds drive-through

The Panera Bread store at 11069 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort recently added a drive-through lane to accommodate motorists.

Hours of operation for the Frankfort location are Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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 

Fajitas opens fourth location in Mokena

ByBob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant, a local chain based in Countryside, opened its fourth location a few weeks ago in a strip mall at 88th Avenue and 191st Street in Mokena.

Owner Walter Narsolis opened his first location in Countryside before branching out and opening Fajitas locations in Tinley Park in 2010 and Frankfort in 2012.

The newest location is at 19118 S. 88th Avenue in the former Chef Paul's steakhouse that closed several years ago.

The restaurants specialize in chicken and steak fajitas but offer a full menu with Mexican dishes such as burritos, tacos and tamales. They all offer beer, wine and margaritas.

Narsolis said the restaurants are family friendly and he has a kids menu for younger guests.

The Mokena location has a dining room and a separate door for takeout orders. Delivery may be offered at a later date.

Narsolis has three video gaming machines at his Tinley and Countryside locations and may add them to the Mokena restaurant at a later date. Video gaming is not allowed in Frankfort.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call the restaurant at 708-336-3750 or visit Fajitas Mokena, 

Studio 63 closes in Summit

Studio 63 held a farewell party on Saturday after losing its lease at its longtime home in Summit.

"We started having landlord issues about a year ago," said co-owner Nick Goutos. "They doubled the lease amount, which we agreed to pay, but then kept changing the terms of the lease. You could say they dealt unfairly with us."

A call to Arrow Real Estate in LaGrange, which is the leasing agent for the property, was not returned.

Goutos said his family had leased the building at 7225 W. 63rd St. in Summit since his father George Goutos built it 50 years ago in a land-lease deal with the property owner.

The building was home for several years to the Prime N Tender steakhouse.

For a short time it was a country bar called Kickers Corral. For the last 17 years, it has been a nightclub called Studio 63.

Goutos owns the business with his brother Jerry Goutos.

"We are still looking to relocate somewhere in Summit with the same name," Goutos said. "If we can find the right venue."

He said the farewell party would run from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Dec. 12. He said some of the more popular DJs who have played music at the club would make a final appearance.

"I expect a sold out crowd," he said. "In excess of 1,000 people."

There will be an auction at the club at 10 a.m. Tuesday, to sell everything in the club. Items for sale include electronics, glassware, furniture and liquor. For information, call 847-854-9913.

Mariano's now hiring for Orland store

Mariano's Fresh Market, which is expected to open early next year at Orland Crossing shopping center at 14225 S. 95th Avenue in Orland Park, has opened a recruiting center for the 400 or so employees the supermarket expects to hire to staff the store.

The center is located at 14432 S. John Humphrey Drive and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interested applicants can also apply online at Mariano's Orland Park.

The store, which is owned by the Roundy's chain based in Milwaukee, is looking for both full-time and part-time workers for such positions as baker, cake decorator, cashier, catering, floral designer and general staffers.

Kroger plans to buy out Roundy’s grocery stores, including the Mariano’s chain, for $3.60 a share, a total purchase price of about $178 million, the company announced last month.

The company is open to experienced workers as well as entry-level employees.

Sanfratello's closed in Tinley Park

Sanfratello's restaurant at 17823 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park has been closed since mid-September because of a sprinkler leak, according to messages on the eatery's Facebook page.

The most recent message from the restaurant to customers was posted Oct. 22: "We are sad to say that we will be closed while we repair water damage from a sprinkler system malfunction. Please continue to check back, as our Facebook page will be updated when we have a re-opening day in sight. We appreciate your loyal patronage and can't wait to serve you all again soon!"

Sanfratello's locations in Highland and Dyer in northwest Indiana remain open for business.

The original Sanfratello's in Glenwood closed in April 2014.

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 

Tilted Kilt closes in Chicago Ridge

The Tilted Kilt closed in October at Chicago Ridge Mall. (Photo by Bob Bong)

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Las Vegas-based Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery at Chicago Ridge Mall closed without warning Oct. 29 and workers have leveled the building.

The pub — sort of a Gaelic cousin of Hooters with bosomy waitresses wearing plaid miniskirts and open midriffs — occupied an out lot at the mall, according to a mall spokeswoman. She said the pub closed at 2 a.m. Oct. 29 and never reopened.

Kelly McNamara, an account manager with FishmanPR who represents Tilted Kilt, said in an email, "We were notified yesterday (Thursday) at 2:30pm PST of the closure and are still gathering the details. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available."

An extensive renovation of the building is planned, Matt Robitaille, a superintendent with Venture Construction Co., based in Greensboro, N.C., said last week.

The plans call for an expansion, he said, and the opening of Miller’s Alehouse is tentatively scheduled for April, he said.

The Chicago Ridge location was the chain's only spot in the south suburbs. It opened several years ago in a former Bennigan's restaurant.

There were plans in 2012 to open a Tilted Kilt in the former Fat Ricky’s at 16255 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, but that project never moved forward.

There were rumors about the same time that a Tilted Kilt was planned for the Boulevard Plaza at 191st Street and LaGrange Road in Mokena – fueled in part because a Tilted Kilt van was parked there for several weeks – but nothing ever materialized.

There are still nearby Tilted Kilt locations in Joliet, Bolingbrook and Merrillville in northwest Indiana.

Durbin's opens in Summit

The Burbank-based Durbin's Restaurant chain opened its latest location earlier this month on Archer Road in Summit.

"It's a nice fit for us," said Durbin's owner Tom McAuliffe, of Palos Hills.

The restaurant at 5719 S. Archer Road is smaller than most Durbin's locations at about 2,000-square-foot, but serves a typical Durbin's menu including pizza as well as burgers, sandwiches, steak, pasta and seafood.

"All of our food is homemade," he said.

"It's a smaller location," McAuliffe said. "It's a lot like the location in Frankfort."

The Summit location opened Nov. 6 and was several weeks behind its original projected opening date.

The restaurant has a staff of a couple of dozen people. All Durbin's are owned and operated by family members.

"We've been doing this for 28 years," McAuliffe said, adding that he wasn't done opening new locations.

"We're also looking for a spot in Lyons and, if everything works out, we'll be opening at Toyota Park," he said.

Other Durbin locations are in Tinley Park, Plainfield, Evergreen Park, Palos Hills, Manteno and Midlothian.

For information, call 708-924-6000 or visit www.durbinspizza.com.

Taco and tequila bar opens in Frankfort

A new Mexican flavored restaurant opened recently in downtown Frankfort.

Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar opened Tuesday in the former Cottage Creations at 28 Kansas St., which just opened in a new location in downtown Frankfort.

Rosie's is owned by Scott Harris, who also owns Francesca Italian restaurants in Frankfort, Oak Lawn and Palos Park, Davanti Enoteca Italian restaurants and Glazed & Infused doughnut shops.

Fat Rosie’s  serves authentic Mexican street fare, including handmade margaritas, fresh sangrias and local craft beers. The bar features nearly 50 different types of tequilas and mezcals.

The restaurant specializes in small plates and shareable items including tacos, a variety of salsas, and regionally inspired braised meat and seafood entrees.

The restaurant seats 100 with patio seating for 80 more.

The restaurant is now open for dinner at 5 p.m. Lunch service will be offered beginning at 11 a.m. Carryout and catering is available.

For information, visit www.fatrosies.com or call 815-534-1640.

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