Orland Park florist moves to Palos Heights

Sass & Class Flowers moved last month from Orland Park to Palos Heights.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Work hasn’t even started yet on the massive LaGrange Road widening project through Orland Park and it has already claimed one business.

Courtney Twomey, owner of Sass & Class Flowers, in April moved her shop from its longtime home on LaGrange Road to new digs at 12250 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights. She now shares space with Chalet Florist, which is owned by Tim Jackson.

“I moved because I was going to lose part of my parking lot to the widening project and because business was sure to fall off during construction,” said Twomey, who opened the shop at 146^th Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park more than a decade ago.

“I really enjoyed being in Orland Park,” she said. “But it was time to make a move.”

Twomey also said she was transitioning Sass & Class from a retail flower shop into a specialty shop for weddings and events.

“My wedding business is booming,” she said. “I plan to get out of the retail side within the next six months to a year.” 

She said that despite the move the shop’s phone number, website and email stayed the same.

 For information, call 708-460-4036 or visit Sass & Class online or check out their Facebook page.

Evergreen Plaza to close interior

The Plaza in Evergreen Park, which opened in 1952, will close its interior stores on May 31, according to a story in the BeverlyReview.

Evergreen Plaza Managing General Partner Bruce Provo told the paper that the economics of running a 920,000-square-foot retail center with few existing tenants prompted the closure.

Provo said Carson’s, Planet Fitness, Enterprise and Applebee’s had long-term leases and would remain open, according to the paper.

The mall has been trying to sell or reinvent itself for several years and most recently was in talks with Tampa-based DeBartolo Development LLC to purchase a $20 million bank note for the mall, which went into foreclosure in 2011.

DeBartolo was reportedly planning to demolish most of the existing buildings and spend approximately $111 million to redevelop the property as a 450,000-square-foot retail center including a big-box tenant surrounded by smaller stores.

Alexander's closes in Palos Heights

Alexander's Restaurant and Banquets closed recently less than a year after it opened at 13248 S. 76th Avenue in Palos Heights.

A village staffer said the property had been acquired by a bank in Palos Hills.

Dental office opens in Bedford Park

Bedford Dental has opened at 7250 S. Cicero Ave. in Bedford Park. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, call 708-496-8896.

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.

Brookfield Zoo animals get a treat from Commonwealth Edison trimmers

Turns out at least some of those branches that ComEd cuts out of trees to keep power lines clear and free wind up as treats for animals at Brookfield Zoo.

Ross Dress for Less coming to Tinley Park

Ross Dress for Less is under construction at Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A Ross Dress for Less discount apparel and home goods store is under construction at Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

A spokesman for Ohio-based DDR Corp., which owns and manages the mall at 191^st Street and Harlem Avenue, said he didn’t have a timetable for when the store would be opening.

It will be the fourth Ross store in the Southland when it opens. The California-based retailer already has stores in Orland Park, Matteson and Calumet City.

Ross stores typically carry brand name products priced 20 percent to 60 percent less than at department and specialty stores

The chain has more than 1,000 stores in 27 states. Each store employs about 50 associates.

Save-A-Lot opens in Hazel Crest

Hard-discount grocery store Save-A-Lot held its grand opening on May 15 at 17531 Kedzie Ave. in Hazel Crest.

The limited assortment store is a subsidiary of Supervalu, which recently sold off its Jewel-Osco stores.

The Hazel Crest store features a fresh meat department, fresh produce and dairy products.

The store is about 15,000 square feet and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Matteson Menards unveils new look

The newly renovated Menards store at 21630 S. Cicero Ave. in Matteson is holding a grand reopening this week.

Among events this week, former Bears great Dan Hampton will make an appearance at the store from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, while former Sox star Lance Johnson will appear from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 23.

Health clinic opens in Frankfort

A Franciscan Express health care clinic operated by St. James hospital in Chicago Heights is now open at LaGrange and St. Francis roads, behind the Taco Bell restaurant. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

For information, call 815-464-2010.

Cellular Connection opens in Palos

The Cellular Connection will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting at noon Friday, May 24, at 13039 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park.

Moraine Valley business open house

Moraine Valley Community College Business and Conference Center will hold a free open house from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in Building M at the college, 9000 W. College Pky. In Palos Hills.

Guests will sample the center’s food and beverage options while touring the 12,000-square-foot venue, which features an executive board room, breakout rooms, on-site catering, Wi-Fi, computer labs and business support center.

For information, sign up at Open House or contact Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at 708-974-5690.

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.