Tropical Smoothie Coming to New Lenox

A Tropical Smoothie Cafe is coming to New Lenox.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A Florida-based smoothie restaurant has put up signs that it will be moving this spring into the former Quiznos at 1872 W. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School.

The Tropical Smoothie Café franchise in Lombard will be relocating to New Lenox soon, according to its Facebook page. The Lombard location’s phone number has already been disconnected, and calls to the Florida corporate offices were not returned.

The restaurant features smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, salads and breakfast, according to its website menu. It also has a kids menu and limited-time specials.

Interestingly, it will around be literally around the corner from a Paradise Smoothie shop.

Pepe’s Closes in Hickory Hills

The Pepe’s Mexican restaurant closed recently at 8128 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills.

Smokey Barque Open in Frankfort

Smokey Barque, a barbecue smokehouse, opened recently at 20 W. Kansas St. in the former Jenny’s (which moved to 191 South in Mokena) in downtown Frankfort. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.

The restaurant will be holding grand opening events on Feb. 24-25. For information, call 815-277-2502 or visit http://www.smokeybarque.com/.

Vitamin Shoppe Opens in Matteson

A Vitamin Shoppe opened last month at 4803 W. Lincoln Highway in Matteson. Store hours are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call the store at 708-283-7059 or visit its website at http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/.

Pet Hospital Opens in Mokena Petsmart

Banfield Pet Hospital opened recently inside the Petsmart at 21430 Wolf Road in Mokena.

The hospital is hosting a grand opening free Preventive Care Seminar at 6 p.m. on Friday.

For information, call 815-464-3589 or visit http://www.banfield.com/.

Discover Tinley Registration Open

The Tinley Park Community Resources Commission will host the annual Discover Tinley community awareness expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 14 at the Convention Center. Businesses and organizations that want to participate can get more info at http://www.tinleypark.org/.

Old Navy Moving to Chicago Ridge Mall

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Old Navy plans to move its Chicago Ridge store from the Commons of Chicago Ridge to a spot inside Chicago Ridge Mall.

Construction of the new store is expected to start in early April, said assistant store manager Tina Rodriguez Bauer.

The new store is expected to cost about $700,000 and will be about 20,000 square feet.

Old Navy is shooting for a mid-June opening, Bauer said.

In September, Old Navy moved a store from Lincoln Mall in Matteson to a new location at Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

Mattress Store Closes in Tinley

Back to Bed mattress store closed recently at 7242 W. 191st St. in Tinley Park but appears to be planning a comeback in the village once the Blockbuster store closes later this month at 15970 S. Harlem Ave.

The mattress company, with 48 locations in the Chicago area, was soliciting bids in December for interior renovations for the Blockbuster location. Calls to the company for more information were not returned.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Eyes 3rd Location

O’Reilly Auto Parts, one of the top aftermarket auto parts chains in the U.S., opened two stores in the Southland last year at 6710 W. 111th St. in Worth and 921 E. 162nd St. in South Holland and plans on a third store in Hickory Hills sometime this summer.

“We’re still looking to do something in Hickory Hills in the second part of this year,” said Mark Merz, O’Reilly’s director of external reporting and investor relations.

The company announced plans last summer for a store in the former McDonald’s at 8715 W. 95th St.

O’Reilly has been on a tear the past year, opening 170 new stores nationwide in 2011 with another 170 expected to open nationwide this year.

Store hours vary by location, said Merz. But generally the store is open seven days a week from about 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from about 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

“O’Reilly Auto Parts caters to the do-it-yourself customer,” said Merz. “But we do half of our business with professional car repair businesses.”

For information, visit the store online at http://www.oreillyauto.com/.

South Suburban Hospital Opens Inpatient Pediatric Unit

Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest opened its new inpatient pediatric unit this week, which will work with Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn to provide services to Southland children and their families. The new unit has 12 beds, accommodations for family, a playroom and a full-time child life specialist.

DeVry Open House on Saturday

There will be an open house on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at DeVry University’s Tinley Park Campus, 18624 West Creek Dr. For information or to register, call 708-342-3200 or visit www.tp.devry.edu/community.html.

Business After Hours Mardi Gras for Together We Cope

Members of the Orland Park Area, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn and Oak Forest-Crestwood chambers of commerce are invited to a Mardi Gras sponsored by BMO Harris Bank and Together We Cope from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Together We Cope, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

There will be tours of the Together We Cope facility, door prizes and great food!

RSVP to the Orland Chamber by today at 708-349-2972 or http://www.orlandparkchamber.org/.

New Businesses in South Holland

The following new businesses opened recently in South Holland:

• Accessory City, 629 E. 162nd St.
• Johnsons Cleaning Co., 16417 Evans Ave.
• Johnson Omnimedia, 16417 Evans Ave.
• Molis Dental 2, 16240 Louis Ave.
• Scott Munro Photography, 17050 South Park Ave., Suite D
• SOS Full Maids and Cleaning Service, 16901 Van Dam Road, Suite 603
• Chela Dance Fitness, 705 E. 162nd St.
• Klear Kut Graphics, 16320 Woodlawn East
• Primerica Financial, 15475 South Park Ave., Suite 105

Deal of the Weekend: Free Onion Rings

Burger King restaurants are giving away free value-sized orders of its new style onion rings starting with lunch on Saturday and Sunday. The deal is good while supplies last and there is no purchase necessary. In addition to the onion ring giveaway, if you "like" Burger King on Facebook, you will be entered to win a $10 BK Crown Card.

Super Bowl Special Deals

By Bob Bong
 Southland Savvy

Super Bowl Sunday is said to be the biggest party day of the year.

In case you’re the one throwing the party, here are some deals on pizzas.

We also have a list of some local watering holes and their Super Bowl Specials.

Salina’s in Tinley Park has the "OchoCinco," which is $8.50 off a "Giants" (18-inch) pizza. Limit 10. Mention coupon code: SB2012. For information, call 708-614-9100 or visit their website at cateringbysalinas.com/.

Ed & Joe’s in Tinley Park is hosting a Super Bowl Party from 4-10 p.m. for $30 per person, which includes a raffle to win a pizza a week for 52 weeks. Call Ellen for reservations at 708-532-3051.

Ed & Joe’s also is raffling off a pizza a week to all take-out and delivery customers on Sunday. In addition to being automatically entered, customers can take $5 off any 14-inch or 16-inch pizza from 3-9 p.m. Dough Dollar Points also will be doubled.

Durbin’s is offering a $35 Super Bowl package at all of its locations, which includes pizza, nachos, dinner and four drinks. Reservations required. See manager at each location.

Bookie Magee’s Hideaway and OTB, 2450 W. Jefferson in Joliet, is hosting a Super Bowl party starting at 5 p.m. Cost is $40 per person for half-time buffet, free pop and draft beer, $2 bottles of beer and house drinks. Early birds can get free racing program and $10 in bets with their reservation. Call 815-744-6500 for reservations.

Here are some Super Bowl Specials in the Lincoln-Way area thanks to the folks at Patch. See here for the complete list.

Chicago Blu in Frankfort will have a free half-time buffet, 46-cent drafts and 46-cent wings (get it, Super Bowl XLVI).

Jameson's Pub in Frankfort starts the party at 5 p.m. For $35, customers can enjoy an open bar and a half-time party buffet.

Pete Mitchell's Bar & Grill in Frankfort will have a free half-time buffet and drink specials.

Tommy Nevin's Pub in Frankfort will have a free half-time buffet, drink specials, raffles and giveaways.

The Wild Rover in Frankfort will have a free half-time taco bar and drink specials.

191 South in Mokena has two party packages: A $60 package that includes top-shelf liquor and food and a $35 package with domestic drinks and a family-style dinner. Call 708-479-6873 for reservations.

Stoney Point Grill in Mokena is holding its second annual Steak Fry, where you pick out your ribeye and chefs cook it on a grill outside to order. It’s $25 for a 10-ounce ribeye and $30 for a 16-ounce ribeye — both come with an all-you can eat buffet of sides. A free all-you can eat taco and nacho bar will be open during halftime. Drink specials. Sports memorabilia will be raffled off throughout the night.

Charleston's Bar & Grill will host a party. $25 gets you unlimited domestic drafts and a buffet that includes a nachos bar, pizza and buffalo hot wings. Reservations are recommended.

Charleyhorse in Tinley Park, New Lenox and Munster, Ind., will have a free half-time buffet with wings, tenders, pasta, appetizers and drink specials.

Prime Time Restaurant & Bar in New Lenox will have a free half-time buffet, including pizza, pasta and salad; $10 prime rib special; $10 slab of ribs; 50-cent wings; and drink specials.

Tom Kelly's Chophouse & Pub in New Lenox will have a free half-time buffet with pizza, fried chicken, pasta, meatballs and drink specials.