Vera Bradley opens store at Orland Square

Workmen install the sign at Vera Bradley at Orland Square Mall.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Vera Bradley, a Fort Wayne-based retailer that specializes in women's bags and accessories, opened a retail store last week at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park.

"Response has been fantastic," said store manager Stephanie Erickson on Monday. "The community has been very supportive and anxious for our arrival."

Erickson said people were calling the mall office asking when the store was going to open and posting the same question repeatedly on the mall's Facebook page.

"We saw lots of people peeking in the windows while we were having training sessions for our new associates," she said with a laugh.

The store is about 2,000 square feet and is located on the lower level near Macy's.

"We're across from the food court," Erickson said.

The Orland location is the company's fifth store in Illinois and the first in the Southland. 

The company was founded with $500 in 1982 and sold its merchandise through retail outlets such as boutiques and department stores like Neiman Marcus. The company didn't open its first store until 2007. Now it has more than 75 retail outlets.

Erickson said there were 18 associates on staff at the Orland Park store. “That’s full-timers and part-timers,” she said.

The store carries a full line of Vera Bradley products, including its well-known handbags. Other products include luggage, tableware, stationery, sunglasses, readers and even rolling luggage. All luggage and bags can be personalized.

Store hours are the same as the mall, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call the store at 708-403-8565.

Tropical Sno now open in Willow Springs

Tropical Sno shaved ice at 8695 S. Archer Road in Willow Springs reopened last month for its seasonal run until around Labor Day. The popular summer spot is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Floyd’s Ale House replaces Charley Horse in New Lenox

Floyd’s Ale House opened recently in the former Charley Horse restaurant at 901 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.

The eatery was remodeled and sports new floor tiles, tables and a paint job and there are still plenty of televisions throughout.

For information, call 815-463-1111.

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.

Comings & Goings: Chester’s Tavern adds gaming machines to its menu

Danny Zygmunt and Pete Orsi stand in front of Chester's Tavern.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Chester’s Tavern and Orsi’s Pizza at 6255 S. Archer Road in Summit is the latest area establishment to add video gaming to its list of offerings.

Owner Pete Orsi said the five gaming machines went live a couple of weeks ago and he’s even added early morning hours and treats for his customers.

“We are now open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and I have doughnuts and coffee for early bird customers,” Orsi said.

The kitchen still opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch.

Orsi has been busy making improvements. Last year, he bought the building next door and turned it into a grand party room complete with a small bar, pool table and video games. So far, the room has accommodated birthday parties for guests of honor ranging from 1 to 70 years of age.

Dotty’s gaming cafes coming to Illinois

A Naperville-based chain of cafes has big plans for video gaming in Illinois.

Dotty’s, which got its start in 1992 in Nevada, has a unique approach to video gaming.

Dotty’s CEO Dan Fischer plans to open 150 warm, cozy and inviting cafes equipped with video gaming machines as opposed to dark bars that are the usual location for machines in Illinois.

“We cater to women,” he said. “They like to play at Dotty’s because of the atmosphere. It’s nothing like a regular bar.

“Our locations are small, about 1,500 square feet,” he said. “They will have liquor licenses but our emphasis will be more grandma’s kitchen than tavern.”

Fischer, who hails from Minnesota, last year moved his base of operations to Naperville.

“I’m a Midwesterner,” he said.

So far, Dotty’s has 13 leases signed, including one for Lyons.

“We’re negotiating another 75-80 leases,” he said. “I come in and tell the town fathers, ‘We don’t compete with any businesses in your town. We’re a new niche’.”

The first Dotty’s will open this summer, he said. “I’m guessing Lemont will be the first one to go live.”

Bridgeview ribbon cuttings on tap

The Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce will hold two ribbon cuttings on Tuesday, June 11.

First up, at 2 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting for Bargain Center by Lucy at 7735 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.

That will be followed by a ribbon cutting and grand opening for Sno Daze Tropical Sno at 7777 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview.

“We’re cutting the ribbon on our first anniversary,” said Lucy Reinhart, owner of Bargain Center by Lucy.

The Tropical Sno shaved ice parlor is owned by her son, Ed Reinhart

Gala grand opening in Lyons

Gala Floral Designs will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at its new location at 7947 W. Ogden Ave. in Lyons.

Owner Veronica Casteneda said she opened the shop six years in Chicago and moved to Lyons earlier this year.

The shop has flowers and floral arrangements for all occasions.

For information, call 708-442-3900 or visit their websites at www.galafloraldesigns.com and www.galauniquedesigns.com.
 

Davern’s Tavern to host veterans benefit

Davern's Tavern and Lounge, which celebrated its first anniversary at 8527 W. 79^th St. in Justice in March, is holding a veterans benefit the weekend of June 14-16.

There will be bands, food, giveaways, and plenty of other entertainment. 

Davern's is looking for any monetary donations or food donation to help out for the event. The goal is $5,000 to help local veterans.

If you are willing to donate, call Joe at 708-715-6182 or stop at the bar.

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 catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.com.

Bridgeview police collect thousands of dollars for Special Olympics

Bridgeview police collect donations for the Special Olympics at the Dunkin' Donuts in Summit.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

Bridgeview police raised almost $5,000 for the Special Olympics by collecting donations last week at three area Dunkin’ Donut locations.

“This is a program that we enjoy being a part of,” said Bridgeview Police Chief Russ Harvey while collecting donations in a plastic bucket in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Harlem Avenue in Summit.

“It’s a very good cause,” he said.

Harvey thanked police in Summit, Hickory Hills and Burbank for letting the Bridgeview PD set up shop at Dunkin’ Donut locations in their towns.

“Since we no longer have a Dunkin’ Donuts in town, our neighboring police departments have been kind enough to allow us to take temporary occupation of theirs,” he said.

Harvey said donations totaled $4,845.63 from all three coffee shops.

The morning crew at the Summit Dunkin'Donuts.

“We raised $1,270.22 in Burbank, $2,530.46 in Hickory Hills and $1,044.95 in Summit,” he said.

Inside the shop, owner Kathy Anczerewicz was happy to see the police presence.

“I try to do this every year,” she said. “Here and my other location in Palos Heights. It’s a program that’s close to my heart.

“Those kids deserve everything they can get,” she said. “This is our way of helping them out.”

This was the 11th year in a row that police patrolled the rooftops and parking lots of Dunkin’ Donut coffee shops on the lookout for donations for the Special Olympics.

The police wanted to heighten awareness of the Special Olympics and to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics.

“More than $1.3 million has been raised from this event over the last 10 years and we’re hoping to set new records this year,” said Illinois Torch Run Director and Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith.  “It’s a wonderfully fun event that works.”

A total amount raised in the Chicago area was not available.