Durbin’s opens in Frankfort

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Durbin’s, a popular Southland restaurant chain, opened its newest location earlier this month at 14 Elwood St. in downtown Frankfort in the former Miritello’s Pizza.

The newest Durbin’s is trying something different, said manager Randy Averilla.

“We’re dine-in, carryout and delivery only without any of the bar scene the other Durbin’s have,” he said. “We’re also trying to be strictly counter service without any wait staff.”

Averilla said the restaurant has seating for about 50 people.

Otherwise, the menu is the same as at other Durbin’s with Branding Iron ribs, pasta dinners, sandwiches and pizza.

The Frankfort location is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 3 p.m. to midnight on Friday.

This weekend, the restaurant will start opening at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call the restaurant at 815-464-1007 or visit their Web site at http://www.durbinspub.com/.

Quick exit for South Holland Bakery

South Holland Bakery and Coffee Shop, which opened Oct. 11 at 629 E. 162nd St. in South Holland, has closed less than three months after opening. The phone number is disconnected and there’s a “for lease” sign in the window. That may be the shortest record for a business I’ve come across.

Diana’s Kitchen

A sign in the window at 16707 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park says Diana’s Kitchen is coming soon. Good luck, the place hasn’t been very good for business since Just Joe’s was forced out of that spot more than a decade ago. Since then, it has been home to Toothpicks, Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon, Gold Coast Dogs and Lazy Dogz Burgers (I don’t think I missed any).

Bears deal of the weekend

Jordan’s Pub, 13500 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, has a free halftime buffet during Bears games. The phone number is 708-460-8330. Its Website is http://www.jordanspub.com/.

Andy’s Frozen Custard holds grand opening in Oak Lawn

Andy's Frozen Custard is holding its grand opening tomorrow in Oak Lawn. Photo from Facebook.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

You can’t miss the giant ice cream cone at Andy’s Frozen Custard, 9507 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn. It has become an Oak Lawn landmark since the store opened last month in the former Del Taco.

The ice cream parlor features more than two dozen toppings for its cones. The menu also features concretes, sundaes, malts, splits and seasonal specialties. Soft drinks and ice tea are also available.

The store is holding its grand opening tomorrow Dec. 29 with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. The first 100 visitors will be entered into a drawing for two gift cards that entitle the bearers to free treats for all of 2011.

Owner Andy Kuntz is also giving away free ice cream cones from noon to 5 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening.

The ice cream parlor is open daily in the winter from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The phone number is 708-499-1400. The web site is http://www.eatandys.com/.

Auto Zone opens in New LenoxThe Auto Zone parts store opened Dec. 18 in front of the new Wal-Mart at 671 E. Lincoln Highway. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 815-462-0917. The web site is http://www.autozone.com/.

Prime Jewelers open in The PlazaA new jewelry store called Prime opened just before Christmas in The Plaza shopping center at 9500 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park. The store is located on the upper level near National Wholesale. The phone number is 708-907-5691. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Also at the Plaza, Daddy & Me, a men’s and children’s clothing store, relocated to a spot on the lower level near the food court. The phone number is 708-229-8600. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Bears deal of the weekTom Kelly’s Chop House & Pub, 495 Degroate Road in New Lenox, has a free halftime buffet during Bears games.

Businesses begin to recover after last week's fire in Oak Lawn



Oak Lawn firefighters battle the blaze on 95th Street. Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Patch

 By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

One week after an extra-alarm blaze destroyed Eva’s Bridals and Radio Shack and damaged three other businesses in the 4800 block of 95th Street in Oak Lawn, the businesses are bouncing back.

Eva’s, which was where the fire started late that afternoon, has reopened in a former Men’s Wearhouse at 6101 W. 95th St. The phone number remains the same – 708-422-5599 – and the website has more information at http://www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com/.

The Bedding Experts, 4803 W. 95th St., sustained smoke damage from the fire but reopened on Saturday.

Advantage Chiropractic, 4809 W. 95th St., is next door to Eva’s and sustained heavy damage. A message on the company’s answering machine says the owner is looking to open a satellite office in Oak Lawn until the 95th Street office is ready to reopen.

Radio Shack, also next door to Eva’s, also sustained heavy damage and remains closed. A call to the corporate office in Texas was not returned.

Miss Fantasia Boutique, 4823 W. 95th St., also remains closed. The store was on the corner of the block and missed any structural damage but did sustain smoke damage. Its phone number is constantly busy, but the company’s website http://www.missfantasiaboutique.com/ appears to be up and running.

Dekker Lighting to close in LansingDekker Lighting, a fixture at 18230 S. Torrence Ave. for the past 40 years, is closing its doors with hopes of reopening along U.S. 30 in northwest Indiana in the future.

“If we do well enough with the closing sale, we hope to reopen in northwest Indiana,” says Jeff Dekker.

In the meantime, prices on lighting are slashed 50 percent in the Lansing showroom. Everything in the store is for sale, says Dekker. He expects the sale to last through December and possibly into January.

The phone number is 708-474-9800, and their website is http://www.dekkerlighting.com/.

Kris Kringle Haus back in OrlandA holiday tradition for 20 years, Kris Kringle Haus has returned to Orland Park.

The store, which features Christmas decorations and is only around for a few weeks before Christmas, opened last month at 15210 S. LaGrange Road in the Ravinia Plaza.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The phone number is 708-364-9860. Their website is http://www.kriskringlehaus.com/.

Learning store opens in OrlandLakeshore Learning Store has opened at 15780 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. Its phone number is 708-403-6300. It has a website at http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/.

Sissy’s Home Décor closing in FrankfortSissy’s Home Décor is closing at 20867 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort in the Walt’s Plaza. The phone number is 815-469-5339.

Deal of the week at Ed and Joe’sEd and Joe’s Pizza is offering $5 off any size thin crust pizza from Friday to Sunday at either its Tinley Park or Mokena locations. Offer is valid on dine-in, delivery or carry-out orders. The restaurant also is offering $50 in promotional certificates if you buy $100 in gift cards from Friday to Sunday.