Mid Villa Pizza closes in Midlothian after 44 years, Palos location remains open

A corporate-owned Harold's Chicken Shack restaurant opened earlier  this year
in the former Fatburger location at 2341 W. 95th St. in Chicago's Beverly community.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Mid Villa Pizza served up its last pie on Monday after 44 years of selling pizza at 3636 W. 147^th St. in Midlothian.

Owner John Byrnes was unavailable for comment but longtime customers said the restaurant had been for sale and that Byrnes was calling it quits after four decades of pizza-making.

The restaurant posted this message on its web site: “Thank you for your loyal patronage over the past 4 decades. After 44 years serving Midlothian and its surrounding communities, we will be closing our doors on April 1, 2013.

“We could never express the true depth of our gratitude and appreciation to all our family, friends, guests and loyal patrons.  It has been a privilege and blessing to serve this community. We will truly miss seeing everyone's smiling face.”

The Byrnes family tradition of pizza making will continue though as John’s son Michael last year opened his own pizzeria – Mid Villa Pizza of Palos Heights – which will remain open at 12226 S. Harlem Ave. using family recipes.

Mid Villa in Palos Heights is open for dine-in, carry-out and delivery from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. For information, call 708-827-5565.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car leases space in Bedford Park

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is consolidating operations in the Midway Airport area and last month leased a 38,233-square-foot building at 6600 S. Central Ave. in Bedford Park as its new base of operations.

The company signed a 15-year lease for the site, according to Paine/Wetzel/TCN Worldwide. The site was chosen for its proximity to the airport and available land for parking.

Alsip salon has new name

On Stage Salon was acquired recently by Cathy Meckley O’Hara who renamed the business at 5418 W. 127^th St. in Alsip as O’Hara and Friends Salon.

Hours for the salon are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.

For information, call 708-239-1111.

Women’s Expo this weekend in Tinley

The Chicago Women’s Expo will offer a weekend of shopping, cooking demonstrations and wellness features April 6-7 at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 183^rd Street and Harlem Avenue.

Guests will be able to get free manicures, make-up sessions and hair styling.

“We want women to come to the Women’s Expo for a day that centers exclusively on them,” said Renee Anderson, CEO of the Women’s Expo. “As women, we focus so much on other people and commitments outside ourselves. A day at the Women’s Expo is a day women can have for themselves. Guests can look forward to a great time, enjoying a day with friends, shopping, sampling new products and getting new ideas and information for all areas of their lives.”

 Admission is $5 at the door or online at www.women-expo.com. Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Sponsors include DentalWorks, Citizens Financial Bank, Paul Mitchell, Mini of Tinley Park.

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.

Cheers Liquors opens in Mokena

Cheers Liquors opened last week in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

We’re not sure everybody knows your name at Cheers Liquors but the store opened in late March at 19155 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena in the strip center between Wendy’s and the BP station.

Its owner is Emeal Rezk and the store is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, call 708-479-5200 or visit its Facebookpage.

Art Van Furniture plans job fair in Orland Park

Art Van Furniture, which is moving into the Chicago marketplace this summer, has scheduled a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Ave.

The Michigan-based retailer plans to open as many as six stores this year in the Chicago-area with the first store in Orland Park scheduled to open in July. Other locations are planned, so far, for Countryside and Batavia. The company also signed a five-year lease for an 183,000-square-foot distribution center in Bolingbrook Corporate Center West.

Jobseekers can apply in person on April 12 or online at www.artvan.com/careers. Employment information is available at 1-888-987-8190.

Jean Therapy relocates in Orland

Jean Therapy, a store that carries premium denim along with tops, jewelry, shoes and accessories, relocated recently to 14360 S. LaGrange Road in the Miroballi Plaza.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 pm. Sunday.

For information, call 708-403-9900 or visit their Facebookpage.

Club Low Key opens in Lynwood

Lynwood village officials last week approved a liquor license for Club Low Key to open at 19755 S. Torrence Ave. in the former Club Dyamonds and Club Moet.

Owner Amani Daniels said the club would open in early April.

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.

Skyn Spa now open in Orland Park

Skyn Spa opened recently in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


Skyn Spa opened recently at 18058 S. Wolf Road in the Jewel-Osco plaza in Orland Park.

Spa services include relaxation massage and microdermabrasion.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call 708-478-8330 or visit Skyn Spa online or check out its Facebook page.

Title Boxing to open Monday in Palos Park

Title Boxing Club expects to open its doors on April 1 at 9642 W. 131^st St. in Palos Park.

TBC, as it is known, is a fitness center that offers boxing and kickboxing classes for all ages taught by professional trainers.

For information, call 708-586-8700 or visit Title Boxingonline or check out its Facebook page.

America’s Best now open in Hodgkins

An America’s Best Eyeglasses store opened a couple of weeks ago at 9270 Joliet Road next to Target in The Quarry shopping mall in Hodgkins.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and is closed on Sunday.

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.

Burrito Joint opens in Mokena

The Burrito Joint opened recently in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new Mexican restaurant aptly named The Burrito Joint Caliente opened recently in the Hickory Creek Shopping Centre in Mokena.

Co-owner Jim Burke said the authentic Mexican cuisine as served up by chef Marcos Alamo is “awesome.”

Menu items feature broiled pork, cured beef, pulled chicken and fresh tamales. The restaurant even features Coke products imported from Mexico along with Jarritos, a Mexican soda pop brand.

Specials include $1 tacos on Mondays and one-pound burritos for $5 on Sunday.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

This is a second go round for this location as a Mexican restaurant. An earlier eatery closed about five years ago.

Burke is also a co-owner of the neighboring Stoney Point Grill restaurant and OTB and the plaza itself.

The Burrito Joint offers sit-down dining as well as carry out and catering.

For information, call 708-995-7742 or visit its Facebook page or Burrito Joint online.

New Beggars Pizza opens

A new Beggars Pizza opened recently at 1326 119^th St. in Whiting, Ind., across the state line from Chicago’s East Side neighborhood. For information, call 219-659-4555 or visit Beggars online.

Texas Roadhouse coming to Countryside

Texas Roadhouse, the steakhouse chain that features peanuts on the floor and hand-cut steaks, is planning a 7,163-square-foot location at 9960 Joliet Road in Countryside. 

The project has an estimated cost of $1.2 million. Construction bids went out last month. 

A late summer opening is scheduled.

Merle Norman moves in Orland

The Merle Norman cosmetic studio moved around the corner recently at the Orland Greens shopping center in Orland Park into a space about twice the size of its original location.

The store moved from 15006 to 15026 S. LaGrange Road into a spot next to Black Tie Tuxes. The new space is 1,525 square feet compared to the 810 square feet in the old location.

The studio’s hours and phone number remain the same.

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.

Tuesday Morning closing in Frankfort

Tuesday Morning is moving its Frankfort store to Joliet.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Tuesday Morning store in the Hickory Creek Marketplace at St. Francis and LaGrange roads in Frankfort is holding a closing sale as the store preps for its impending move to North Ridge Plaza mall in Joliet.

The upscale discount store specializes in domestic and international designer and name-brand closeout merchandise at more than 850 stores throughout the United States.

“We are currently in negotiations regarding the relocation … (and) we cannot confirm an opening date at this time,” said company spokeswoman Allison DuPriest in an email. “Tuesday Morning has a loyal customer following in Frankfort and Joliet, Illinois and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers.”

An employee at the store said all employees were being transferred to Joliet or another Tuesday Morning location.

She said the closing sale would continue at least through March.

Family Dollar opens in Alsip

A new Family Dollar store opened last month at 12299 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip. Store hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, call the store at 708-385-6727.

The Charlotte-based chain was founded in 1959 and has more than 7,600 stores in 45 states.

Troubled Tinley store closes

The convenience store at 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue has seen more than its share of problems since it opened almost a decade ago under the name Always Open.

The business has had several owners and has been cited by the village for a variety of offenses including selling alcohol and cigarettes to underage customers.

The last straw came recently when a manager was arrested for running a fencing ring out of the store, now named Tinley Family Food and Liquor.

Its most recent owner closed the store last month and last week surrendered his business licenses to the village.

UPDATE: Burger ‘N Que to reopen Tuesday

Mechanical problems have kept Burger ‘N Que in the dark for most of March, but the restaurant at 17400 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park posted on its Facebook page that it will be back in business as of Tuesday.

Co-owner Alex Wise said part of the restaurant’s problem has been the condition of the building.

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

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

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.

Rainbow takes over former Fashion Bugs

Rainbow has replaced Fashion Bug stores in Bridgeview and Orland Hills.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Fashion Bug stores at 9295 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills’ Orland Towne Center and 8735 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview’s Southfield Plaza didn’t stay vacant very long.

Those locations, and another in Merrillville, Ind., were quickly snapped up by Rainbow Shops, a Brooklyn-based retailer that saw an opportunity to expand and seized it.

“When we saw Fashion Bug was going out of business, we entered into a deal to pick up about 100 of its unexpired leases,” said Adin Goldberg, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. ‘Separately, we worked with landlords to acquire another 20 to 25 sites that no longer had leases.”

“We looked at it as an opportunity to expand,” Goldberg said. “It was a good opportunity for us.”

Rainbow even worked with Fashion Bug to retain as many employees as they could in the new stores.

Goldberg said the former Fashion Bugs tend to be larger than usual Rainbow stores and employ eight to 13 associates either full-time or part-time.

He said the new stores also carry a wider selection of Rainbow offerings including junior and plus sizes, children’s apparel and shoes.

Rainbow Shops were founded in 1935 and with the current expansion now have 1,150 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Blockbuster closing in Evergreen

The downsizing of Blockbuster continues with the closing of the Evergreen Park location at 2650 W. 95th St. A going out of business sale is in progress until April 21 or sooner, if the inventory runs out. For information, call the store at 708-423-0022.

Bayberry Pantry closed again in Tinley

Bayberry Pantry, 8004 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, is closed again. The convenience store had reopened in Bayberry Plaza in August 2011 after being closed.

Clark station closed in Orland

The Clark gas station at 14800 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is closed and the property has been fenced off.

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.

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.

Wienermobile to visit Frankfort

The Wienermobile will visit Frankfort on Sunday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit the new Mariano’s Fresh Market at 21001 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday.

The Wienermobile  is in the Chicago area as part of the company’s 25^th anniversary of Hot Dog High, which trains a dozen college graduates to be Hotdoggers each year to pilot the Wienermobile.

Hotdogger Deli Elliot and co-Hotdogger Cookout Kelly will hand out Wiener Whistles, play games and 

pose for pictures.

The Wienermobile will also stop at Mariano’s at 5353 N. Elston Ave. from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and

At 1720 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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.

The Softer Side closing in Frankfort

The Softer Side in Frankfort is going out of business.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Softer Side accessories store at 20881 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort is going out of business after seven years.

The biggest change for co-owner Rachel Klementzos, of Frankfort, will be having a new boss after working with her mom, Jodey Klementzos.

“I started working here with my Mom right out of high school,” said Rachel, 25, a Lincoln-East High School graduate.

She has a job lined up working in the business insurance industry.

“It’s a complete change from what I’ve been doing for the past seven years,” she said, but at least she gets to stay in Frankfort.

“It had a lot to do with the economy,” she said explaining the decision to close. “It also had a lot to do with new stores opening in the area that sell the same merchandise we do.”

The store will stay open until May or June, she said.

“It all depends on how fast we sell off the inventory,” she said adding the store has already marked down non-clearance merchandise 20 percent off.

For information, call the store at 815-469-8815 or visit the Softer Side Facebook page.

China Buffet closes in Tinley

The New China Buffet closed recently at 16141 S. Harlem Ave. in the Tinley Park Plaza shopping center.

Teavana coming to Chicago Ridge Mall

Teavana, which is a tea lover’s paradise, will be taking the place of Underground by Journeys, a footwear store, at Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge. The store carries tea and accessories and is expected to open later this year.

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 Southland Savvy.

Legends to open Tuesday in Mokena

Legends Grill and Bar will open at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mokena.

It’s a few months behind schedule, but Legends Grill and Bar will finally open its doors at 11 a.m. Tuesday at 9710 W. 191st St. in Mokena, next to Scrementi’s in the Boulevard shopping center.

It’s the long awaited second location for Legends, which has been operating in Yorkville for some years now.

Mokena’s location will be open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight with an additional hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The grill will offer lunch and dinner and appetizers.

For information, call 708-995-7278 or visit Legends Mokena or its Facebook page.  

FrancoNello’s may be opening this month

Marty Joyce, chief of staff for Ald. Matt O’Shea said he believes FrancoNello’s at 10222 S. Western Ave. in Beverly may be opening later this month.

“I know they’re making progress,” he said. “The tables and chairs are there and it looks ready to go. They have really done a nice job remodeling the upstairs bar.”

“Don’t hold me to it, but I heard they were going to open March 23.”

The Italian restaurant burned down on Labor Day 2011. Its Facebook page has been promising a reopening since October.

The restaurant also said on its Facebook page that customers holding expired Groupon offers should not despair. The restaurant promised to honor the offers once its doors are open.

Calls and emails to the restaurant haven’t been returned.

Jordan’s getting new name, look

Jordan’s Pub & Eatery at 13500 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park is getting a new name and look.

The sports bar is transitioning into the Ale House Grill, which will be more neighborhood restaurant and less sports bar. Ale House promises daily specials, fresh baked bread, two outdoor patios and an easy carry-out area.

Ale House will maintain an upstairs sports bar, which remains open while the owners turn the main floor of the building into a restaurant.

The transition started right after the Super Bowl.

A soft opening is expected soon with a grand opening to follow.

For information, check out the Ale House Grill Facebook Page.

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.

Beverly Bank to open new bank on former village site in Oak Lawn

 

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Beverly Bank & Trust closed a deal on Jan. 7 to buy a parcel of land owned by Oak Lawn on 95^th Street between Raymond Avenue and 53^rd Street for $1.8 million.

Beverly Bank, which is part of the Wintrust financial group, will build a new bank at the site that will include space for a senior community center.

“We are planning a spring groundbreaking and anticipate opening in the fourth quarter,” said Mike Johnstone, CEO of Beverly Bank & Trust. Johnstone said a temporary facility will be erected on the site prior to the permanent structure being completed.

“We still have to go through the planning process with the village,” Johnstone said. “There are lots of moving pieces with a bank.”

Johnstone said the new building would be from 20,000 to 24,000 square feet.

“It will be modeled on our facility at 103^rd Street and Western Avenue,” he said.

Village officials said the project is expected to cost about $6 million and would create about 20 new jobs.

Tria Architecture Inc. of Burr Ridge is handling the design.

Johnstone said no name has been chosen but it will reflect the Oak Lawn community. Village officials called the new facility Oak Lawn Bank & Trust.

“We are all about the community,” Johnstone said. “We think the community will identify with us.”

Sanford-Brown Closing Tinley Campus

Career education Corp. is closing all three of its Chicago-area Sanford-Brown College campuses in Tinley Park, Hillside and Skokie.

The Tinley campus will be the first one to close in January 2014.

The company is closing 23 campuses as part of a massive restructuring that includes 900 job cuts.

The campuses have stopped accepting new students and will continue to operate until current students finish their degrees.

Fitness center opens in Orland

Anytime Fitness recently opened at 11025 W. 179^th St. in Orland Park. The co-ed gym, which is owned by Kenneth Howard, is staffed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and on Sundays by appointment, but the facility is accessible by members 24 hours a day seven days a week.

For information, call 708-995-7581 or visit the website.

Middle Eastern restaurant opens in Bridgeview

A new restaurant called Yazor Kabob, which features Middle Eastern food, opened last month at 9052 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview in the former Sheeba restaurant.

Chef Yonis Abdullah, who is one of three owners, said the restaurant specializes in what he called Jerusalem salad.

The menu also includes a variety of kabobs including lamb, beef, chicken and mushroom. Other entrees are lamb chops and steak as well as shawarma plates, which is similar to gyros.

Drinks include Middle Eastern favorites almond juice and Arabic tea.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For information, call the restaurant at 708-599-0012.

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.blogspot.com

Outriggers Closes in Tinley Park

Outriggers Fish House closed without warning Saturday night in Tinley Park.

 By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Outriggers Fish House at 15917 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park has served its last calamari – at least for a while.

The Greek seafood restaurant abruptly closed its doors for the last time Saturday night.

“We lost our lease,” said Dimitri, a manager who declined to give his last name but promised the restaurant would be back soon in a new location.

“We won’t be gone for too long,” he said. “We don’t want our customers to forget us.”

Dimitri said he wasn’t sure the restaurant would reopen in Tinley. “It will be somewhere in the neighborhood, we like this area,” he said.

Outriggers, which has had other Southland locations over the years including a restaurant a block north in Orland Park, has been in the Tinley location for several years.

The property manager for Brixmoor Property Group, which owns the Tinley Plaza at 159^th Street and Harlem Avenue, did not respond to an email.

Last call at Limestone

Limestone City Grill and Lounge at 13415 S. Ridgeland in neighboring Palos Heights gave its last call Saturday night. An employee who answered the phone Sunday said there was a private property going on but confirmed the business had closed without warning.

“I’m just here to answer the phone,” he said. “We’re closed. I don’t know why.”

Thai Rickshaw closes in Homewood

Dec. 29 was the last day of business for Thai Rickshaw at 18102 S. Martin in Homewood. The Thai restaurant closed after three years of operation.

Tobacco House snuffed in Frankfort

Tobacco House called it quits last month at 19985 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort. Owners said three burglaries in the last six months were too much.

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.blogspot.com.