Justice Tobacco Mart to open July 1

Justice Tobacco Mart owner Moe Zeidn helps put up the sign on his new store.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Trustees in Justice voted this week to approve a new convenience store for 8400 S. Roberts Road.

 

Justice Tobacco Mart was granted a business license though its owners can't use the building's marquee sign until it's brought up to code.

Owner Moe Zeidn said the store would open on July 1.

Trustees earlier this year turned down plans for the same business.

"It was approved this time because they changed their business plan," said Village Clerk Kathy Svoboda. "They are now going to be more of a convenience store with a section for tobacco products instead of being only a tobacco store."

Svoboda said part of the delay in granting the license was the amount of work needed for the building.

"It took some time readying the property for occupancy," she said.

Trustees also approved a deal with Classic Truck & Trailer to accept a piece of the company's property at 8650 W. 82nd Place that was part of a local detention area.

"That way they don't have to pay taxes on a piece of property that they can't use," she said.

Qdoba to close Southland locations

The Qdoba Mexican Grill chain is closing both of its locations in the Southland on Friday as part of a 67-store closing the company is planning to help grow the brand and improve customer satisfaction.

The store at 5141 W. 95^th St. in Oak Lawn and in a LaGrange Road outlot at Orland Square Mall in Orland Park will both close by 3 p.m. The chain will also close 16 more stores in the Chicago area on Friday.

The chain, which is owned by Jack in the Box, will keep four Chicago-area locations open, at least for now, in Wheaton, Schaumburg, Lincoln Park and the Loop.

For a complete list of closing locations, visit Qdoba Closings.

The company said in a news release that despite the 67 closings it plans to open 70-75 new locations this year and 60-70 more next year.

Applebee’s shuts down complete

AppleIllinois LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April, this week completed the sale of 15 of its 33 Illinois Applebee’s restaurants and closed 18 others, including locations in Homewood, Mokena, Matteson and Tinley Park.

AppleIllinois sold the restaurants for $2.4 million to RMH Illinois LLC as part of an auction supervised by the U.S. bankruptcy court. 

Remaining open in the Chicago area are Applebee’s in Calumet City, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Hodgkins, Evergreen Park, in Chicago at 7519 S. Cicero Ave. and 6656 Grand Ave., in Joliet at 2795 Plainfield Road and 2400 W. Jefferson. 

Other locations remaining open are in Bradley, DeKalb, Elgin, McHenry, Peru and Zion.

Applebee’s has 2,000 U.S. restaurants, of which all but two dozen are owned by independent business owners.

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.

Battery Giant opens in Orland Park

Brian Nolen II stands in his new Battery Giant store in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new business that promises to help power up your lives is now open in Orland Park.

Battery Giant, which carries everything from car batteries to hearing aid batteries, held its grand opening on June 22 at 15006 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park in the Orland Greens shopping center.

The franchise is located in an 810-square-foot shop co-owned by father and son, Brian Nolen Sr. and Brian Nolen II.

“We carry batteries for everything,” said the younger Nolen, who lives in Hazel Crest. “We also can rebuild battery packs for power tools, lanterns and laptops. That is very handy if you have an older model of a device. Some of them they don’t make battery packs for anymore. We can fix those.”

The Nolens can also order key fobs that have batteries sealed inside of them, such as for a car.

Battery Giant is a smaller player in the battery marketplace, admitted Nolen. Their chief rival is Batteries Plus, which has been around for much longer than Battery Giant.

“Battery Giant has been around for less than 10 years,” said Nolen. “My comparison is we’re Burger King to their being McDonald’s.”

The Nolens have the company’s 16^th store and the first in the Chicago Southland. There are two other stores in the north suburbs.

“For sure, we’re looking for another location in the south suburbs or northwest Indiana,” Nolen said. “But not until we get this one going good.”

Nolen said he and his father are equal partners and share all of the duties.

The store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call the store at 708-460-4664.

Pepe’s reopens in Hickory Hills

A new Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant reopened recently at 8128 W. 95^th St. in Hickory Hills under new ownership.

The restaurant has a full bar with televisions and is open for lunch with a buffet served from Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Specials include half-price margaritas on Tuesday and Thursday, all you can eat tacos on Monday and kids eat free on Sunday.

For information, call 708-430-0700.

Giordano’s hosts Orland Business After Hours

Giordano’s of Orland Park is hosting a Business After Hours event for the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 14325 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

Giordano’s is sampling its new menu.

This will be the chamber’s last Business After Hours until September.

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

Dotty’s gaming cafes coming to Southland

Dotty's has signed leases in 13 communities including Oak Forest.

By Bob Bong 
Southland Savvy 

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 at least 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 from Las Vegas.

“I’m a Midwesterner,” he said.

So far, Dotty’s has 13 leases signed, including locations in Lemont, Crestwood, Midlothian, Worth, Oak Forest, Matteson, Alsip, Country Club Hills, Blue Island, Joliet, Dolton, Romeoville and 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.”

Two towns that you won’t see on Dotty’s list are Orland Park and Tinley Park, which have both voted to keep out the gaming machines.

But that doesn’t deter Fischer.

“I believe that every town in Illinois will eventually break down and allow the machines,” he said. “When they do, I’ll be ready.”

Illness forces closing of Frankfort Meats

A recent stroke suffered by owner Tom Fetherling has led to the closing of Frankfort Meats and Deli in downtown Frankfort’s Trolley Barn.

The store, which has been providing meats for more than three decades, will close for the last time on Sunday.

"Thank you for all of your business & years of friendship," is part of the closing message written on a sign in front of the store. The sign also encourages customers to come in and leave contact information.

For information, call the store at 815-469-1145.

Sweet Annie’s reopens in Flossmoor

After some initial indecision on whether to move from Flossmoor to Homewood, Sweet Annie’s bakery stayed in town but moved into new and bigger quarters at 1050 Sterling Ave.

The bakery opened its door on June 11 less than two weeks after closing its original location that owner Anne Aboushouna opened five years ago.

The bakery now shares space with Drew’s Coffee, a coffee shop modeled on a French café.

Hours at the new location are from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Texas steakhouse opens in Oak Lawn

Texas Corral, a small steakhouse chain based in northwest Indiana and modeled on the honky tonk Western theme of the highly successful Texas Roadhouse chain of restaurants right down to the peanuts on the floor, held its soft opening this week in the former Leona’s restaurant at 6616 W. 95^th St. in Oak Lawn.

The Oak Lawn location is the ninth for the chain and its first in Illinois. There are six in Indiana, including its flagship location in Highland, and two in Michigan.

The steakhouse is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

This is the second go-round as a steakhouse for this location. The building was the home to Regency Steak House years ago.

For information, call 708-459-8761.

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 & Going.

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Cycle Gear store for motorcyclists to open Friday in Tinley Park

Cycle Gear will open its 99th store on Friday in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Cycle Gear, a national retailer of motorcycle apparel and accessories, will open its second store in the Chicago area at 10 a.m. Friday at 6905 W. 159^th St. in Tinley Park. The grand opening will be June 28-30.

It will be the second Midwestern location for the retailer, which opened in 1974 and is based in Benicia, Calif., near San Francisco.

“We opened the first Midwestern store in November in Schaumburg,” said Johnny Lin, chief marketing officer. “We wanted to make sure we could sell motorcycle accessories in the winter in Chicago. Our biggest fear was that sales would disappear in the winter months. That didn’t happen.”

Lin said the Tinley store would be about 3,500 square feet, about average for a regular store. The company has some superstores that range from 15,000 square feet in Mesa, Arizona, to 30,000 square feet in Sacramento, Caif.

“We sell everything except the bike itself,” Lin said. “That includes everything from boots to helmets to parts.”

Lin said Cycle Gear carries accessories for all brands of motorcycles except Harleys.

“They have their own chain of retail stores,” Lin said.

Lin said the company is in growth mode and the Tinley store will be the retailer’s 99^th store. The 100^th store will open later this summer in Harrisburg, Penn.

“We’ve opened four stores in the last year,” he said.

Lin said the company will probably open a third Chicago-area store in the future, but he didn’t have a timetable or location for that store.

He said the Tinley store would have a staff of 10-12 team members led by store manager Nycool (pronounced Nicole) Yarnall.

“We’re recruiting team members for both the Tinley and Schaumburg stores,” Lin said. “Just visit the stores or apply at the company website.”

Lin said there would be lots of giveaways for the grand opening weekend in particular as well as for the next month. Raffle prizes will include a GoPro Camera, Shoei Helmet and a Cycle Gear shopping spree. 

“We’ll have a lot of swag to give away,” he said.

The Tinley store will be open seven days a week, which Lin said was unusual for motorcycle shops.

“Most cycle shops are closed on Sunday and a lot are also closed on Monday,” he said. “We pride ourselves on being open seven days a week.”

Hours for the Tinley store will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, visit Cycle Gear online or check out Cycle Gear Tinley Park on Facebook.

Stay of execution for Rand Hallmark stores

Closing of the Rand Hallmark stores in Frankfort, Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Joliet, Lockport and Oswego has been delayed until the end of the month as owner Gary Watland tries to find buyers for the shops, which had been planning on closing Monday night before hitting the auction block Tuesday.

Charter Fitness opens new facility in New Lenox

Charter Fitness has opened its new larger facility at 1325 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox and closed two locations that were former Cardinal Fitness centers at 2465 E. Joliet Highway and 800 Laraway Road.

The new facility has longer hours, more parking and better fitness equipment including cardio exercisers and an outdoor running track. The new gym is also planning free Wi-Fi and child care.

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

For information, call 815-463-8500 or visit Charter Fitness of New Lenox on Facebook.

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.

Lawn Funeral Home to open new location this summer in Tinley

Lawn Funeral Home is expecting to open in Tinley Park this summer.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Lawn Funeral Home, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary, is about ready to open its third location in Tinley Park.

The funeral home was founded in Burbank in 1962 by Don Jarka Sr. A second location opened at 7732 W. 159^th St. in Orland Park in 1987. Now a third location is under construction at 179^th Street and 94^th Avenue in Tinley Park.

“We just thought it was a good move,” said Don Jarka Jr. “We’re kind of excited about it.”

Construction started early this year on the 16,000-square-foot funeral home, which should be ready by July, Jarka said.

“Definitely before the summer is over with,” Jarka said. “The guys are out there every day making progress.” 

When completed, the new full-service facility will provide all the same services as Lawn provides at its Burbank and Orland Park locations. The new facility will feature a chapel, viewing rooms and a family lounge.

 For information, call 708-429-3200 or visit Lawn Funeral Homes.

The funeral home construction is being handled by Miller Architects & Builders of St. Cloud, Minn.

J.D. Byrider opens in South Holland

J.D. Byrider, a used car dealer that caters to buyers with iffy credit, opened earlier this year in South Holland and celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting recently at 300 W. 162^nd St. 

Roger Swerbit owns the franchise that has a staff of 12. 

The dealership showroom is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The service department is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The dealership is closed on Sunday. 

For information, call 708-232-1740.

Kerry Funeral Home grand opening today

Kerry Funeral Home will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting from 4:30-7 p.m. today at 7020 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights.

Ribbon cutting for Dollar Does It on Thursday

The Mokena Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting and Business after Hours from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Dollar Does It at 19826 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena.

RSVP to the chamber office at 708-479-2468.

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.

Ricobene’s closes in Orland Hills

Ricobene's closed June 2 in Orland Hills.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Ricobene’s, which boasted that it was the home of the famous “breaded steak sandwich” since 1946, earlier this month closed its location at 9135 w. 159th St. in Orland Hills after being open for 15 years. 

The company posted a sign on the doors at the Orland Hills location saying the restaurant was closed as of June 2 because of downsizing “in these economic times.”

The sign also said, “The Ricobene family thanks you all for the love and support you have given us over the many years. We look forward to seeing you again.”

Also closed was a location at 51^st and Pulaski in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood. The family posted a note on its Facebook page that the Archer Heights location was closed for good despite a sign in the window stating it was closed for remodeling.

The company said the closings were necessary in order to keep the original location at 252 W. 26^th St. open. Also remaining open, for now, was a location in Bolingbrook.

Calls to the company’s store on 26^th Street were not returned.

Blackhawks store opens in Mokena

One of those pop-up stores that sells team merchandise in cities involved in championships has opened in the parking lot of the Gas-n-Wash at 8810 W. 191^st St. in Mokena. Blackhawks clothes and other memorabilia is available.

Other pop-up stores have been reported at 111^th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, 135^th Street and Ridgeland and Harlem Avenue and Southwest Highway.

Teavana now open at Chicago Ridge Mall

Teavana, a team emporium and tea bar, opened last month at Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge.

The store features tea from more than 14 countries.

For more information, call 708-423-5245.

Sears closing South Side stores

Once mighty Sears continues to close longtime stores as the retailer tries to right a sinking ship. The latest closings are locations at 1334 E. 79^th St. and 6153 S. Western Ave., both in Chicago.

Both stores are holding store closing sales.

Sears last week closed its store at the River Oaks Mall in Calumet City, which opened almost 50 years ago. Last year, the retailer closed its store in Lincoln Mall in Matteson.

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.

Porky's Rib Fest to feature Foghat at Toyota Park on June 29

Foghat will perform June 29 at Toyota Park.

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News


Porky's Rib Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival that offers something for practically everyone.

The inaugural four-day festival is bringing premier barbecue restaurants and vendors, live music, a carnival, car show, fireworks and classic rockers Foghat to Toyota Park, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, from June 27-30.

"We will have four days of great food, great music and fun for all ages," said organizer John Zapa.

Headlining the musical offerings will be Foghat, who will perform from 9-11 p.m. on June 29. The British band scored a number of hits including "Slow Ride," "Fool for the City" and "I Just Want to Make Love to You."

Other performers on the schedule are country singer Jared Blake, who was a contestant on the first season of "The Voice"; classic rock cover band Hairbangers Ball, Kiss cover band Kings, Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir and Jimmy Buffet cover band South of Disorder. For a complete list of bands and times, visit http://www.porkysribfest.com.

Rib vendors will include local favorites Chicago BBQ Company and Uncle Bub's BBQ from Westmont as well as Big Boned BBQ from Tennessee, Texas Thunder BBQ from the Lone Star State and even Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ from Down Under.

Other food choices will include ice cream and pizza.

Porky's Rib Fest is a show for all ages and that means there will be a daily carnival for the kids, a car show for adults from 1-5 p.m. on June 30, a huge fireworks show for everyone at dusk on June 29.

Fest hours are 4-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 27-28, from 1-11 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, and from noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.

Tickets range from $30 for a four-day pass to $10 for a daily pass. There is a $25 Foghat VIP pass that includes front of stage seating. Tickets for kids 6-12 are $5 per day ($15 for four-day pass). Admission is free for children under 6.

Parking is free if tickets are purchased online at www.porkysribfest.com.

Sponsors and vendors are still being sought. If interested, please call 708-378-0102 or visit www.porkysribfest.com.