New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center to Open on Friday

A Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open on Friday in New Lenox.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The New Lenox Goodwill Store and Donation Center will open at 8 a.m. Friday, March 9, at 441 E. Lincoln Highway, next to the Walmart.

The 19,034-square-foot store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with giveaways and special events including a DJ from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday with hourly contests and prizes, free reusable shopping bags with any purchase (while supplies last), and free Starbucks coffee on Saturday. The first customer of the day and donor of the day on Saturday and Sunday will win a special prize.

There will be a raffle to win a gift basket with autographed photos of Chicago Bulls players Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler, along with a $10 Goodwill gift card.

“There will be fresh inventory arriving hourly,” said Cheryl Lightholder, manager, communications of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., which oversees the Chicago area. “We will have one-of-a-kind items and new product from national retailers.”

The store and donation center will be open seven days a week. Store hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The donation center opens an hour earlier each day.

Scott Kraatz is the store manager. The store will have 41 employees with more than half being New Lenox residents and the remainder coming from Manhattan, Homer Glen, Joliet, Mokena, Rockdale and Alsip, said Lightholder.

For information, call 815-463-8832 or visit http://www.amazinggoodwill.com/.

Danny’s Corner Evicted

Cook County Sheriff’s Police on Wednesday placed an eviction notice on Danny’s Corner, 9400 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

But it looks like things may be back to normal soon. Apparently, the business was sold to a new owner who plans to reopen – possibly as soon as this week – with the same hours, staff and menu.

Merlin’s Muffler Opens in Lockport

The new Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop opened last week at 983 E. 9th St. in Lockport. For information and hours, call 815-838-1100 or visit http://www.merlins.com/lockport.

El Potro Opens in Frankfort

A Mexican restaurant called El Potro opened recently at 7818 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort, in the rear kitchen at All Star Sports Bar. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. For information, call 815-464-5664.

Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Mark your calendars for tomorrow if you love pretzels because it's Free Pretzel Day at Auntie Anne's pretzel shops in malls across the Southland.

Pretzel lovers can get a free original pretzel or a cinnamon sugar pretzel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Auntie Anne's shops at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park, Ford City Mall on Chicago's Southwest Side, River Oaks Center in Calumet City, Westfield Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet and Westfield Southlake Mall in Merrillville (or is it Hobart) in northwest Indiana.

5 Guys Burgers Opens in Matteson

Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened this week in Matteson.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Virginia-based Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened its fourth Southland location this week in a strip center at U.S. 30 and Cicero Avenue in Matteson.

The gourmet burger joint opened on Monday and is the 29th Illinois restaurant for the chain that started 25 years ago in Arlington, Virginia.

The restaurant serves burgers with up to 15 different toppings, hot dogs, three veggie sandwiches and fries.

The Matteson location, like most others, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no drive-through.
For information, call 708-283-4515 or visit http://www.fiveguys.com/.

There are two Five Guys locations in Orland Park and another in Chicago Ridge.

Papa John’s Opens in Palos

Indiana-based Papa John’s pizza opened its eighth Southland location recently at 7154 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights.

The pizzeria is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for delivery and carry out orders and accepts online orders.

For information, call 708-361-5050 or visit. http://www.papajohns.com/.

Frankfort Business Expo This Saturday

The 28th annual Frankfort Business Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Lincoln-Way East High School fieldhouse in Frankfort. The public is welcome and admission is free.

More than 100 local businesses are expected to be on hand along with former Bears lineman Steve McMichael who will be signing autographs from 10 a.m. to noon.

For information, visit http://www.frankfortchamber.com/.

Garrett to Address Rotary

Jim Garrett, CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be the guest speaker for the Lansing Rotary Club meeting at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Popolano’s Restaurant. Lunch costs $10. For reservations, call Dick Turek at 708-895-0300.

Home & Garden Show in Tinley

Tinley Park is hosting the Springtime Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Convention Center, which will feature more than 250 exhibitors and offer seminars on backyard vegetable gardens, spring bulbs and perennials and backyard living spaces.

Show hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older and free for 18 and younger.

Ted’s Greenhouse in Tinley Park will have plants and perennials for sale.

For information, call 800-883-7469 or visit http://www.homeshowpros.com/ for discounted admission.