Orland mall demolished but stores live on

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Orland Park’s Continental Center may be gone, but some of the businesses that used to inhabit the strip center at 157th Street and Harlem Avenue live on.

Thai food fans who used to frequent the Bangkok Thai restaurant can still enjoy the cucumber salad, pad Thai noodles and ginger duck at the Jewel of Siam, 9216 W. 159th St. in Orland Park in the Park Hill Plaza.

Both restaurants had the same owner who says gift cards or gift certificates purchased at Bangkok Thai can be used at Jewel of Siam. The phone number is 708-349-9922. The Web site is www.jewelofsiam.com

Riddles Comedy Club, which closed a couple of years before the mall was demolished, has reopened at 5055 W. 111th St. in Alsip. Comedian Jimmy “JJ” Walker is the headliner this weekend with tickets at $15.

For show times, ticket prices and a calendar of upcoming comedians, check their Web site at www.myriddlescomedyclub.com or call 708-422-5055. The club also has a page on Facebook.

Jim’s Pro Shop relocated to 19456 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena (Comings & Goings Sept. 2, 2009).

Sabor do Brasil’s Web site says construction will begin this summer on their new location at 9613 W. 191st St. in Mokena in The Falls of Hickory Creek development.

One that won’t be coming back is Asian Ginger Bistro, a restaurant in the parking lot that is the only building still standing. Bistro has closed its doors for good.

Dunkin reopens

The Dunkin’ Donuts at 15609 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park has reopened after being closed for remodeling.

Relocated

RSVP has moved from 11139 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort to the JC Penny mall at 11337 W. Lincoln Highway in Mokena. Their Web site is www.rsvpinvites.com
Girlfriend’s Closet has moved to 22 White St. in downtown Frankfort. The Web site is www.girlfriendscloset.com

Now open

Sally Beauty Supply opened a few weeks ago at 11335 W. Lincoln Highway in Mokena in the Penny’s mall.

Deal of the weekend

South Side Cards & Collectibles, which opened in December at 11325 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park, has a 10 percent off coupon on its Web site at www.southsidecards.com The phone number is 708-873-5088.

Frankfort native runs for Congress in Arizona's fall GOP primary

Dr. Chris Salvino, a Frankfort native who's now a surgeon in Arizona, is running for Congress. A 1979 Lincoln-Way Central graduate, he's touting the Reagan legacy as a motivating force in his campaign.

Don Olivieri, president of Olivieri Brothers Inc. of Frankfort, was a high school classmate of Salvino. Olivieri told Sun-Times Media "he's a pretty bright guy."

Want to know more about "Dr. Chris for Congress"? Check out Salvino's campaign bio.

Will Oak Lawn cash in big on video gambling machines in local bars?

Oak Lawn is debating whether to allow video gambling in local bars and restaurants. But will the village make any money off this?

Oak Lawn could get $540,000 in tax revenue from the machines, according to Back to Work Illinois, a civic and labor group. That assumes every business that holds one of the 48 liquor licenses in town installs the maximum five gaming machines, reports Casey Cora in his On the Lawn blog.

Says Mayor Dave Heilmann: "My personal belief is that it's not the way you should try to get revenue ... I'm just not a big fan of it."