Largest doughnut plant in North America opens in Bedford Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new doughnut bakery was introduced Saturday at 5353 W. 73^rd St. in Bedford Park, though the Unified CML plant won’t actually start making doughnuts for a few more weeks.

The plant, described by Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady as the second biggest doughnut bakery in the world and the largest in North America, plans to supply 7 million dozen doughnuts to about 300 Dunkin’ Donut stores every year.

That’s more than 200,000 doughnuts per day.

Specifics are skimpy as the company’s general manager declined to answer questions, but the company has been busy for the past several weeks hiring delivery drivers and plant workers.

Brady said the plant was a little less than 100,000 square feet and was projected to hire about 100 workers when at full capacity. He said the company received some assistance from TIF district funds to buy equipment.

The company was founded in 2010.

Who knew? I always thought the doughnuts were made in the back.

Menards holds job fair in Evergreen Park

Menards, which is building a new home improvement store at 9100 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park, is holding a special job fair for Evergreen Park residents from 3-7 p.m. today in the council chambers at Village Hall, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave.

The store is also taking applications this week for full-time and part-time positions. Apply in person at the store from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Creamery locations open for the season

Creamery locations in Mokena, Frankfort and Orland Hills have opened for the season and the store in Manteno opens on Friday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Locations in Homer Glen, New Lenox and Manhattan are open all year.

For information, visit the Creamery on Facebook or check out the Creamery website.

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 follow business happenings at Comings & Goings.

Andy’s Frozen Custard coming this summer to Burbank, Countryside

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Andy’s Frozen Custard has been so impressed with the results at its Oak Lawn location on Cicero Avenue that opened two years ago that it recently agreed to open new locations in Countryside and Burbank.

“The South Side works for us,” said company President Andy Kuntz. “These two locations will help our brand awareness.”

The Missouri-based company is looking to break ground this month on former firehouse property at 5745 S. LaGrange Road in Countryside and in April at 79^th Street and Harlem Avenue in Burbank.

“We should be open in Countryside by the end of May or beginning of June and about 30 days behind that in Burbank,” Kuntz said.

Each location will employ about 25 people and feature the giant ice cream cone that rotates outside of the Oak Lawn store.

The new sites will be the company’s fourth and fifth in Illinois. A location at Block 37 in downtown Chicago closed last year.

J. Crew closes in Orland

The J. Crew clothing store closed a few weeks ago at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park.

Back to Bed closes in Frankfort

The Back to Bed store closed recently at the Hickory Creek Marketplace at LaGrange and St. Francis roads in Frankfort.

LIDS Locker Room coming to Chicago Ridge

A LIDS Locker Room store, a mall-based division of the LIDS chain, is planning a 3,100-square-foot store inside Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge. LIDS Locker Room sells sports headwear, apparel, accessories and novelties. The project has an estimated cost of $130,000.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

Burger ‘N Que closed for repairs

Burger 'N Que in Orland Park has been closed for repairs.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Burger ‘N Que will celebrate its fourth anniversary in Orland Park on May 1, as long as co-owner Alex Wise can keep the restaurant up and running again.

“We’ve been closed (since March 5) because of mechanical problems,” said Wise. “I couldn’t cook myself a hamburger if I wanted to.”

Wise said he had hoped to be open as usual today, but was now thinking Tuesday would be more realistic.

“If we’re not open by tonight, there goes the weekend,” he said. “But we’ll be open by Tuesday at the latest. I hope.”

Wise said part of the restaurant’s problem has been the condition of the building at 17400 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park.

“This is not a great building,” he said. “We’ve had to make lots of repairs over the years.”

Wise said he would keep customers apprised of the reopening on the Burger ‘N Que Facebook page.

Curves closed in Oak Forest

The Curves fitness center closed recently at 5235 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest.

Chase opens in Tinley

The Chase Bank branch is now open at 17157 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park in the Jewel-Osco plaza. The bank features drive-through and teller service as well as four ATMs. For information, call the branch at 708-781-4005.

Lansing Chamber has new digs

The Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce has a new home at 3330 181st Place in the Clock Tower office building.

The chamber was forced out of its longtime home because of building problems and spent a few days at the Lansing Airport.

The chamber will hold a ribbon cutting and grand opening at 5:30 p.m. April 18.

The phone number remains the same, 708-474-4170.

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 follow business happenings at Comings & Goings.