Louie’s Pizza Closes in Frankfort

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Louie's Pizza has closed in Frankfort.

Louie’s Pizza and Pasta, which offered 28-inch pizzas, the biggest pizzas in the area, has apparently closed at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort.

The restaurant had a checkered history in its brief run. There were repeated management changes and, most recently, it was supposed to be part of Baja Italiana, a restaurant from Carol Stream that sells Italian and Mexican cuisine. Coupons announcing the merger, management change and announcing a new grand opening were delivered over the summer.

A manager at Baja Italiana said Friday that restaurant’s owner had acquired and then sold Louie’s.

Calls to the Frankfort location are answered by an automated system that asks you to leave a message because of the call volume.

On Friday afternoon, the restaurant was closed and there was a notice on the door from the Village of Frankfort that its water service had been disconnected for failure to pay a utility bill. The restaurant’s Facebook page also has been taken down.

Corn Maze Open House
Odyssey Fun Farm will hold an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at its corn maze at Oak Park Avenue and Harlem Avenue at noon on Sunday, and the $10 admission fee is being waived only for members of the Tinley Park, Orland Park, New Lenox, Frankfort and Mokena chambers of commerce. Members can RSVP to their respective chambers.

Aqua Lounge Replaces Club 30 West
Club 30 West has been renamed Aqua Lounge at 7905 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort. For information, call 815-513-2782 or visit their website at http://aqualoungefrankfort.com/  or their Facebook page.

New Lenox Restaurants Close
The Station House, which used to be the second location of the House of Hughes, closed last week at 201 E. Maple St. in New Lenox.

A resident said she saw workers removing furniture and other items from the building.

The restaurant was renamed after the House of Hughes closed its original location in Crestwood back in March.

Also closing recently in New Lenox was the original location of Lazy Dogz Burgers & Beef at 108 W. Illinois Highway. The fast food joint closed its Tinley Park location just about a year ago, which has since reopened as Diana’s Kitchen.

Bears Deal of the Weekend
Joe Daniel’s Neighborhood Eatery & Pub, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary at 12218 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights with a bean bag tournament, prizes, entertainment and free barbecue on Saturday, offers a free halftime buffet during Bears games. The only catch is you have to be on hand before the start of the second quarter. There are drink specials, as well, including buckets of beer and a $5 bloody Mary bar. The doors open as soon as fans start showing up. For information, call 708-923-9902 or visit http://www.joedanielsbar.com/.

Odyssey Fun World to Open Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park will open a corn maze and pumpkin patch on Friday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Halloween season in Tinley Park will officially kick off this week when Odyssey Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maize opens on Friday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. across the street from the Odyssey Fun World arcade at Harlem Avenue and Oak Park Avenue.

The 15-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday to Halloween. Admission will be $10 per person (children 1 and younger get in for free), which includes unlimited use of our courtyard attractions such as hay rides, cow train, inflatable Kids Zone, two corn mazes, petting zoo and pig races.

Children under 12 who visit can also get free ice cream cones at the Culver’s in Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Matteson and Homewood, and a free kids meal at Chili’s in Orland Park, New Lenox, Homewood, Calumet City and Chicago Ridge.

Available at additional cost are pony rides for $3, entry to the Beast for $3 and Corn Cannon shots (3 for $3 or 6 for $5).

General manager Clint Paraday said the spelling of maize (which is a Native Indian word for corn) was simple word play, and was the way the company that cuts the maze spells it.

“This is our first year in the business of farming and we are hoping to really bring a fun-filled fall season for all the families,” he said.

The grand opening ribbon cutting and open house will take place at noon Sunday, Sept. 25. The $10 admission fee will be waived for everyone who attends the ribbon cutting and open house.

For more information, call 708-429-3800 or visit Odyssey Fun Farm online.

HomeGoods To Open Sunday
The second new store at Brookside Marketplace opens this week when HomeGoods, a discount retailer that specializes in home fashions, opens on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 8 a.m. at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.

The 25,000-square-foot store is next to the recently opened Five Below location. It will have about 60 full-time and part-time workers. It will be the 21st HomeGoods location in the Chicago-area.

Grand opening hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and afterward will be Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As part of the grand opening, Massachusetts-based HomeGoods will donate $5,000 to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia shelter.

For more information, visit HomeGoods Tinley Park online.

Neat Repeats Resale Shop Open Again
Neat Repeats Resale is sporting a new, bigger look in its new digs at 9028 W. 159th St. in Orland Park.

The store now has 3,650 feet of space to display its selection of small household items, giftware and clothing.

The grand reopening will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Regular hours will be Monday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“It’s been a long process, with more than a year of planning and several weeks of actual construction,” Joyce Athey, Director of Neat Repeats Resale, said in a release. “But the result is just fabulous! Our volunteers and customers are really excited about the new space.”

All proceeds support the Crisis Center for South Suburbia shelter.

For information or to volunteer, stop in or call 708-364-7605.

Crab House To Reopen

N’awlins Crab House has closed at 200 Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights but never fear seafood lovers, the restaurant is expected to open soon under new ownership.

The old phone number has been disconnected but the chain’s website says the Chicago Heights location is opening soon.

For information, visit N’awlins Crab House online.

Hhgregg Opens Store in Orland Park

hhgregg opened its largest Chicago-area store on Thursday in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Appliance and electronics retailer hhgregg would not have opened a new store in Orland Park this week without the failure of other retailers such as Circuit City and Linens-N-Things.

“We are coming to Chicago because we were able to get real estate at reasonable prices,” said Jeff Pearson, vice president of marketing for the Indianapolis-based retailer of electronics and appliances. Attempts to enter the Chicago market earlier were thwarted by high rents and few desirable locations.

Hhgregg officially opened 14 stores on Thursday, including the Orland Park store at 1385 Orland Park Place Dr. at Orland Park Place Mall. All of the stores are taking space vacated by other retailers.

In this case, hhgregg is moving into the former Sports Authority store, which moved recently into the former Circuit City location at 94th Avenue and 159th Street in Orland Hills.
Pearson said that hhgregg, which was founded in 1955, was able to finally crack the Chicago marketplace when big box locations started becoming available thanks to the sour economy.
“We were able to take advantage of an opportunity that exists because some retailers were unable to make a go of it,” he said.

Pearson said hhgregg will succeed because “consumers like our retail model. We have fantastic prices, a wide selection and a better level of service” than rival retailers.

“A lot of retailers believe in self-serve,” he said. “We believe in associates who know about all of our products and who can help consumers make an informed decision on what to buy.”

Approximately 700 people have been hired to staff the new Chicago-area stores, he said. All of them have undergone a comprehensive training program and are regularly updated on products, he said.

Pearson said each store will have more than 100 digital televisions and 500 appliances in stock every day.

Pearson said a grand opening sale will run until Sept. 24 with low prices, special financing options and a chance to win prizes including a Frigidaire Stainless Steel Appliance Package, a 55-inch LG 3D TV or a Magellan GPS.

He said hhgregg also has a newly designed website that consumers can use to search and compare products as well as make online purchases.

The 14 openings make Chicago hhgregg’s largest market, and another six stores are expected to open before Christmas including one at Ford City Mall on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Pearson said the Orland Park store will be 44,000 square feet, which is the largest one opening Thursday. Other area stores are in Joliet, Naperville, and Merrillville, Ind. Store hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

With the addition of the Chicago-area stores, hhgregg will operate 204 stores in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

James & Sons Opens Gold Exchange

James & Sons closed their Olympia Fields jewelry store back in 2008 but continued to buy gold a couple of days a week at the store at 3474 Vollmer Road in the Olympia Square Shopping Center.

The retailer moved back into the community full time recently when it opened J&S Gold & Diamond Exchange in that same location.

The company buys gold and diamonds as well as makes short-term loans much like a pawn shop.

The Sunderland family remains involved with the store, which still operates jewelry stores in Orland Square, Chicago and Schererville, Ind.

J&S is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 708-481-1500 or visit their website at http://www.jandsgold.com/.

Hallmark Store Closes

Rand’s Hallmark closed recently at 91 Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights.

Bears Deal of the Weekend

Watch the Bears take on the Saints on Sunday and get free appetizers at halftime at Oliver’s Bar & Grill, 6150 W. 159th St., Oak Forest.

Jewel Sells Gas Stations to Circle K

Jewel is selling its gas stations to Circle K.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

SuperValu Inc. agreed last week to sell its Jewel Express gas stations in the Chicago area, including the one at 16625 W. 159th St. in Lockport, to Couche-Tard/Circle K.

Other fuel centers in the Southland are in Orland Park, Oak Forest, New Lenox, Homewood and 9400 S. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

The stations are among 107 SuperValu is selling to raise money to strengthen other parts of its core grocery business.

The sale is expected to close this fall.

Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau's annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Tinley Park Convention Center. Keynote speaker will be Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. For information, contact Elizabeth Baun at 708-895-8200. To register, go to http://budurl.com/AnnualMeeting.

Chamber Doings
Bananas Restaurant is hosting a Business After Hours on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tinley Park, 18335 S. Harlem Ave. The restaurant was recently renovated. RSVP to the chamber at 708-532-5700, info@tinleychamber.org or http://www.tinleychamber.org/.

Wehmeier Portraits is hosting a Business After Hours on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 4:30 p.m. at 9540 W. 144th Place, Suite A, in Orland Park. RSVP to the Orland Area Chamber at (708) 349-2972 or http://www.orlandparkchamber.org/calresp.asp?id=14786

Archer Bank is hosting a Business After Hours on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 5-7:30 p.m. at 16700 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. RSVP to the chamber at 708-532-5700, info@tinleychamber.org or http://www.tinleychamber.org/.

Ribbon Cutting for Billy’s Char-House
Billy’s Char-House at 703 E. Ninth St. in Lockport will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Ribbon Cutting for Pompei
Pompei Little Italy will hold a ribbon cutting grand opening on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 11:45 a.m. at the Riviera Country Club at 8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

Educator to Speak to Rotary
A Lincoln-Way educator and Rotarian who travelled to Uganda this summer to work with teachers and students at a school for orphans and underprivileged children will talk about his experiences with the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Tim Reilly, director of instruction for Lincoln-Way High School District 210, spent eight days in Uganda this past summer observing and coaching eight teachers at Miracle Destiny School.

“I went to visit our `sister school’ and help their teachers,” said Reilly. “But I was impacted by the kids and teachers more than I helped.

“I thought I knew what to expect from the pictures and correspondences over the years,” he said. “But until I could see the school and community and feel their need personally, I really didn’t understand. That school is doing incredible work with so few resources. I was honored to work with them.”

Reilly will share stories and photographs from his trip at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 15 in Phoenix Hall. The community is invited to attend.

Each year, the club presents dictionaries to third-graders in Harvey School District 152, raises money for the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, donates eyeglasses for use in underprivileged countries and awards scholarships to graduating seniors from Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North, Tinley Park and Andrew high schools who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and service to the community.

For information, contact President Karen Wegrzyn at 708-359-4715 or visit the club’s website at http://www.tinleyparkfrankfortrotary.com/.

Postal Connections Announces Winner
Cary Sheehan, of Mokena, takes home an Apple iPod Touch as winner of the grand opening sweepstakes at Postal Connections, which opened recently at 18090 S. Wolf Road at the Marley Creek Shopping Center in Orland Park. Postal Connections is a retailer of postal, business and communication services. For information, contact owner Eric Czerwonka at 708-478-4965 or online at http://www.postalconnections.org/.

Fire Closes Franconello
A fire and explosion over the Labor Day weekend has temporarily closed Franconello Italian Restaurant at 10222 S. Western Ave. in Chicago’s Beverly community. The popular restaurant opened in 1993. Its owners told the Beverly Review they fully intend to reopen the establishment.

By Name Here
Southland Savvy

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By Name Here
Southland Savvy

Write your lede here. Make sure there's one line of space between the byline credit and the lede. One or two grafs of info. Make sure the following line of code separates your lede from the rest of your story. Continue your story here. To create subheads, just bold the text. Do not change the font sizes, please. You can bold text by putting these codes around the words. The "span" code below should be at the end of your story. HELPFUL TIP: To get web site links in stories to open in a new window, change the URLs in HTML mode. When you see this: Web site title Add this info: target="_blank" Web site title

Walmart, Ticketmaster Team Up

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fans of family shows, concerts and sporting events can now buy their tickets at the Walmart store at 9245 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills or any of 77 Walmarts in the Chicago area that are now offering tickets to Ticketmaster events.

Fans can use touch screens in the store’s electronics department to buy tickets to any Ticketmaster live events. Once the desired event is selected by the fan, a Walmart employee helps complete the transaction and immediately prints the tickets.

"By integrating ticketing into Walmart stores, we are able to offer fans this very convenient way to learn about upcoming events, purchase and take home tickets without leaving their neighborhood," said Nathan Hubbard, CEO of Ticketmaster, I a release. "In addition, Ticketmaster will continue to work closely with our clients to create exclusive high value offers for Walmart customers."

The service also is available at Walmarts in Bedford Park, Bolingbrook, Bourbonnais, Bridgeview, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Glenwood, Joliet, Lansing, Lockport, Matteson, Naperville, Plainfield, Romeoville and Shorewood.

Orland Square Story Hour
The Simon Kidgits Club is teaming up with Simon & Schuster to bring a monthly story hour to Orland Square Mall.

Read.Play.Shop. will entertain children through stories, activities and games while stirring their imaginations at the same time.

Visit the Orland Square Mall Play Area sponsored by Bettenhausen Dodge at 10 a.m. on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 13 or Dec. 13.

All About Me Relocates
All About Me It's A London Thing has relocated to the lower JC Penney Court at Orland Square Mall.

Orland Bakery Delivers for Free
Orland Bakery, which will be relocating soon from its longtime home at 143rd Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park, has started offering free delivery anywhere in the village for orders of $25 or more. For information, call 708-349-8516 or visit their website at http://www.orlandparkbakery.com/.

Jersey Mike’s Joins Mokena French MarketJersey Mike’s Subs in Orland Park will have a booth at the Mokena French Market for the next eight Saturdays. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Metra parking lot at Front Street and Wolf Road in downtown Mokena.

Deal of the monthFrom now until Sept. 26, shoppers who frequent the Aldi food store inside the Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge will receive a $10 Westfield gift card for every $75 they spend at Aldi. Just take your Aldi receipt to the Mall Office or Westfield Concierge to get your gift card.

Bears deal of the weekend
Every week, we will feature a Southland establishment that has a great deal for Bears fans. For the opener, Chicago Blu at 19917 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort has lots of flat screen TVs, cheap pitchers of Miller and Bud and domestic buckets as well as a free halftime buffet. For information, call 815-469-2204. Game starts at noon.

Plaza Cafe to Close Wednesday in Orland Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The Plaza Café will become the latest business to leave Orland Plaza when it closes its doors at 143rd Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park at the end of business on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Owner Tom Demacopoulos said he was “99 percent certain” the café would relocate, but didn’t want to say more until it was a certainty.

Book and Bean Opens in New Lenox Library

The New Lenox Library is going to try again with a coffee shop inside the library at 120 Veterans Parkway.

Kim Stoltz, who runs the Book and Bean café at the Joliet Library, has opened Book and Bean Too inside the New Lenox Library.

The café is now open and serves beverages, soup and sandwiches from 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m.

Its official opening is Monday, Sept. 12, and its hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The library will start being open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays on Sept. 1, but Stoltz is holding off on Friday hours for Book and Bean for the time being.

Stoltz eventually will offer coffeehouse events such as open mic nights, artist receptions and poetry slams.

Pompei Little Italy Opens in Orland

Pompei Little Italy had its grand opening on Monday in the former R.C. Mulligan’s location at the Riviera Country Club and Sports Center at 8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. For information and hours, call 708-349-1100.

Orland Mall Demolition

Work began Monday on the demolition of the former movie theaters at 49 Orland Square Dr. in Orland Square Mall, which will be the site of a Dave & Buster’s adult arcade, bar and restaurant sometime next year. The mall also started repaving the parking lot last week as part of its renovation.

Francesca’s Collections

Francesca’s Collections had its grand opening on Saturday in their new location in the lower level Macy’s Court at Orland Square Mall.

New Sugar-Free Bakery to Open Saturday in Mokena

Richard and Marie Martinez are opening a sugar-free baker in Mokena on Saturday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sugarless World Bakery, a new bakery that specializes in sugar-free pastries and desserts, will hold its grand opening at 6 a.m. tomorrow at 19458 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena.

Owner Marie Martinez said the first 50 people through the doors tomorrow will each get a special treat.

Martinez, who is opening the business with her father, Richard Martinez, said the shop is catering to diabetics, senior citizens and anyone who is conscious about how much sugar is in their diet.

Sugarless World Bakery will initially be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays.

“We will be closed on Sundays for at least the first couple of months,” Martinez said. “After that we may add some Sunday hours.”

For information, call Sugarless World Bakery at 708-995-5923 or visit their Facebook page.

Wendy’s Opens in Orland
A new Wendy’s restaurant has opened in the former Boston Market at 7360 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. It is the second Wendy’s in Orland Park and is around the corner from the site of a Wendy’s that was closed years ago and converted into a bank. The phone number is (708) 444-0565.

Pompei Pizza Open in Riviera Country Club
A grand opening is scheduled for Monday for the new Pompei Pizza at the Riviera Country Club and Sports Center at 8801 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. For information, call 708-349-1100.

New Pharmacy Opens in Lansing
Quik Scripts held its grand opening today at 3330 Ridge Road in Lansing. The business promises to offer old fashioned prescription service including free delivery to your home or office. For information, call 708-474-9540 and ask for Dave the Pharmacist.

Free Gyros on Tuesday
Our deal of the week comes from Kronos, the purveyor of meat and other foods to many Greek restaurants in the Southland, which is again offering free gyros on Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. You have to download a coupon and indicate the restaurant you will be visiting for your free sandwich.

Participating restaurants can be for at the Kronos website but they include Antoni’s in Lockport, Baby’s Steak & Lemonade in Orland Park and Joliet, Cyprus in Tinley Park, Goody’s & Gyros in Homer Glen, Johnny’s Wee-Nee Wagon in Markham, Nick’s BBQ in Palos Heights, Burbank, Homer Glen, Romeoville and Tinley Park, and Pop’s in Lockport, Crown Point, Dyer, Tinley Park, Romeoville, Orland Park, Mokena, Homewood and Palos Heights.

Warm Reception for Five Below in Tinley Park

Becky Harrison and her daughter Brianna at the new Five Below store in Tinley Park.

Margaret DeRe and her daughter Catharine shop at the new Five Below store.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Area moms and daughters welcomed the new Five Below discount store to Tinley Park with open arms on Friday at Brookside Marketplace at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue.

“I’m a little excited,” said Catharine DeRe, 11, of Mokena, while shopping with her Mom, Margaret, a couple of hours after the store opened. “I like it.”

Mom was excited about the prices at the store that caters to teens and pre-teens, “A backpack and T-shirts for $5, that’s a great price. And it’s a fun atmosphere.”

“I love it,” said Becky Harrison, of Tinley Park, who was doing back-to-school shopping with her daughter Brianna, 10.

“There’s something for everyone, and they have great prices,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for this store to open after I went a couple of times to the store in Orland Hills.”

“We’ve had a steady stream of customers,” said Sandy, the store manager, who added the store has about 25 employees.

An employee on loan for a few days from a store in New Jersey said the Tinley Park store was just over 7,500 square feet. “All of the stores are about that size,” he said.

Another employee who was handing out free T-shirts to customers said she had already given away more than 300 in the first two hours the store was open.

Five Below is the first of three new stores coming to Brookside Marketplace. A HomeGoods store is set to open next month and is hiring for the Tinley Park store, and work is under way on an Old Navy store, but no opening date has been set yet for that site.

Parmida Opens at Orland Park Crossing
Parmida Home Store held a grand opening recently for its eighth store at 14225 S. 95th Avenue at Orland Park Crossing in Orland Park.

The store, which specializes in home living and entertainment merchandise, is the chain’s second store in Illinois.

Store manager is longtime Orland Park resident Monica Rose.

For information, call 708-226-6680.

New Home for Pedigree Junction
Pedigree Junction, a dog and cat grooming spa, moved recently from one strip center to an adjoining one at 7659 W. St. Francis Road in Frankfort Square in the former Susan's Accessories store. The hours remain the same as does the phone number 815-464-4404.

Five Below to Open In Tinley on Friday

Five Below will open at 9:30 a.m. Friday at 191st and Harlem in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Five Below will open at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park.

Five Below, a national discount retailer that caters to teens and tweens, will open five new stores in the Chicago area at 9:30 a.m. on Friday including one in the Brookside Marketplace at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.

Store hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Each day during opening weekend, the stores will be giving away free Five Below T-shirts with any purchase to the first 300 customers. The stores will also offer 5-cent hot dogs, and other giveaways including a $100 Five Below shopping spree. In addition, Benny the Bull from the Chicago Bulls, Southpaw from the Chicago White Sox, and Staley Da Bear from the Chicago Bears will make special appearances at the stores throughout the weekend.

The new store is part of an expansion of the mall between Kohl's and Dick's Sporting Goods. Also opening soon will be an Old Navy and HomeGoods stores.

The opening is part of a surge of Five Below stores into the Chicago market. A store opened earlier this year at 94th Avenue and 159th Street in Orland Hills.

Other stores opening Friday include Woodfield Village Green, 1465 East Golf Road in Schaumburg; Woodgrove Festival, 1001 W. 75th St., Suite 171 in Woodbridge; Oakridge Court, 802 Randall Road in Algonquin; and North Riverside Mall, 7501 W. Cermak St. in North Riverside.

A sixth location, in Kennedy Plaza in Chicago, will open this fall, bringing the total number of Five Below stores in the Chicago market to 16.

“We took Chicago by storm this year,” says David Schlessinger, co-founder of Five Below, in a news release. “Never before have we opened so many stores in one region in such a short period of time. In 2012, we’re going to continue to penetrate the marketplace, and give even more Chicago customers access to our product offerings.”

The opening of these stores is part of a rapid growth initiative that will see Five Below open 50 new stores in 2011, increasing its total number of stores to just under 200 by year-end.

Zante Lounge Holds Anniversary Party
Zante Lounge will celebrate its second anniversary at 8888 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills with a party starting at 3 p.m. Sunday featuring the music of Maggie Speaks, a $1,000 bean bag tournament, a free pig roast, a dunk tank, burger eating contest and a chance to win a 9-day trip to Jamaica. For information, call 708-364-0100.

Breakfast Nook Now Open in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Daniel Luna recently decided the time was right to stop cooking for other restaurant owners and took the plunge to open his own eatery.

The result is The Breakfast Nook, which opened three weeks ago today at 19140 S. 80th Avenue in Mokena. The location has been home to at least two other restaurants, Dragon Palace 2 and Sicilian Joe’s.

Its name is appropriate, too. The space is small but cozy with a handful of booths and tables.

Luna, 34, was the chef at Mary Todd’s in Frankfort and Egg Cetera Café in Mokena and has brought his culinary skills with him to The Breakfast Nook, which has an extensive menu ranging from skillets and omelets for breakfast to wraps and burgers for lunch. Tea drinkers take note, the teapots are enormous.

While Luna lords over the kitchen, Christina Billings – who worked with Luna at Egg Cetera – runs the dining room with one other waitress, who knew Luna from their days at Mary Todd’s.

“We were leaving Egg Cetera about the same time and he asked me if I wanted to come with him,” she said.

As for business?

“So far, so good,” Billings said, noting they haven’t even done much advertising yet.

The Breakfast Nook is open for breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. The phone number is 708-478-0908.

Five Below to Open Friday in Tinley Park
Five Below, a retailer that caters to the teen and tween market with everything priced from $1 to $5, will open Friday morning in Tinley Park’s Brookside Marketplace at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue.

The chain carries an assortment of merchandise including sporting goods, games, fashion accessories, jewelry, candy and snacks, books, DVDs, room décor and school supplies.

The chain was founded in 2002 by David Schlessinger, who also founded Encore Books and Zany Brainy.

Bayberry Pantry to Reopen Soon
Bayberry Pantry, 8004 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, looks to be reopening soon under new ownership. The convenience store closed some time ago in the Bayberry Plaza at 171st and 80th Avenue.

CJ Frank Grand Reopening
CJ Frank & Son, a tax and accounting firm, is celebrating its reopening on Friday, Aug. 19, with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. at 18610 Burnham Ave. Suite A in Lansing. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Dominick's to Close in Orland Park

Dominick's is closing its store in Orland Park in early October.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Orland Park's supermarket scene, which took a hit earlier this year when Green Food and Produce closed in the former Bobak's Plaza at Wolf Road and 159th Street and then was rocked when Randy's Market shut down a couple of weeks ago, will suffer another blow on Oct. 2 when Dominick's closes its store at 15080 S. LaGrange Road.

"It was a business decision made by the company," Dominick's Director of Public Affairs Lauri Sanders said Wednesday.

"The Orland Park store is a casualty of not being able to be a part of a profitable business," she said.

Sanders did know how many workers would be affected by the shutdown, but said Dominick's was committed to helping them during the transition.

"Our goal is 100 percent transfer or absorption into the company," she said.

An employee at the Merrionette Park store on 115th Street said some workers there are afraid they will get bumped from their positions by workers with more seniority transferring from the Orland store.

A spokeswoman for Local 881 of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union said all non-management workers at the Orland store are members of the UFCW and by contract are allowed to transfer to other stores in the chain.

"Usually, transfers are done regionally," she said. "Workers from Orland Park most likely would transfer to nearby stores such as Palos Heights or Frankfort."

The Orland store was older and slightly smaller than newer stores and did not have some of the latest features such as a Blockbuster Express machine, Starbucks and an in-store Chase Bank.

Despite those losses, Orland Park grocery options are still plentiful with Aldi's, Jewel-Osco, Trader Joe's, Costco and Meijer stores open for business in the village.

Five Guys Opens Today in Orland Park, Sports Authority Open in Orland Hills

Sports Authority is holding its grand opening on Saturday.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sports Authority welcomed its newest and biggest store at noon on Friday when the sports retailer opened its store at 9231 W. 159th St. in Orland Towne Center in Orland Hills.

The 56,000-square-feet store is in the former location of Circuit City and Office Max.

Mall owner Tony Youshaei told the Orland Patch in January said the new store would be a “flagship” for the chain.

The store will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 13, starting at 8 a.m. The first 250 people in the store will receive mystery bucks with a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. The store also will have hourly drawings for a $100 gift card.

All next week, customers will be able to register to win a $1,000 shopping spree.

Helping celebrate the new store will be former Bears great Gary Fencik at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, and Cubs closer Carlos Marmol at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Hours for the new store will be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

A website has specifically been made for Sports Authority Orland Hills. For information on the new store, call 708-226-5602.

New Five Guys Opens Today
Workers were being trained Sunday at the new Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurant that will open Monday at 11 a.m. in the former Ginos East at 15840 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park (next to the Home Depot). It will be the second store location in Orland Park for the burger chain, and is affiliated with the Five Guys that has been open for a few years now at the entrance to the Target Greatland at 158th Street and LaGrange Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The phone number is 708-444-1140.

Super Fade Now Open
A new salon called Super Fade opened recently at 16709 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park. The salon is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 708-429-5034.

Johnny's Char-House Now Open in Orland Park in former Canoe Club

Johnny's Char-House is now open in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The giant aquarium is gone but the waterfall remains at Johnny’s Char-House, which opened a few weeks ago in the former Canoe Club at 15200 S. 94th Avenue in Orland Park.

Owner Jonathan Mantas is no stranger to the Southland. Johnny’s Char-House is his 17th restaurant venture. He also owns the Kingsberry restaurants in Oak Forest and Flossmoor and used to own Jonathan’s in Palos Heights.

Hours at the Char-House are Tuesday to Friday 4-11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 11 p.m.

For information, check out the Facebook page for Johnny's Char-House.

Silver Cross Encore Shop Open for Fall
The Encore Shop, Silver Cross Hospital’s resale store, is hosting its fall opening today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop is located on Walnut Street in Joliet just north of the Keck Emergency Pavilion. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are welcome. For information, call the hospital’s Volunteers Services at 815-740-7117.

Open for Lunch
JH Sweis Catering, which has been offering catering for about two years, opened a Bistro a few weeks ago that serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10110 W. 191st St. in Mokena. The lunch menu includes salads, sandwiches and sides. The phone number is 708-478-7230. For information, check out the Facebook page for JH Sweis Catering.

That strip center has become something of a foodies paradise. Besides JH Sweis there is 191 South with Joe’s Italian Villa, EggCetera Café and El Cortez Mexican restaurant.

Catching up
The Hairspray Salon opened a few months ago in the Vineyards Plaza at 20491 S. LaGrange in Frankfort. The salon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 815-469-8998. For information, check out the Facebook page for Hairspray Salon.

Pet Deal of the Weekend
Pet owners can get free samples of natural pet foods and treats from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Joy’s Best Friends Best Bites at 13034 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park. Joy’s is definitely pet friendly.

Pepper Mill Now Open in Mokena

Pepper Mill opened recently in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new restaurant called Pepper Mill opened recently at 19137 S. Wolf Road in Mokena in space that has had its share of unsuccessful restaurants in recent years.

Manager Raul Angel, brother of owner Alfonso Angel, said he and his brother have had restaurants before and he likes Pepper Mill’s chances to succeed in Mokena.

“This is a good town to be in,” he said. “We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which a lot of restaurants in Mokena are not.”

The casual, sit-down restaurant has an extensive menu and is open until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call 708-478-8748.

Pompei Pizza to debut at Taste of Orland
Visitors to this year’s Taste of Orland Park, which starts Friday in the parking lot of the Orland Park Civic Center, will get a sneak preview of the fare offered by Pompei Pizza, which is set to open Aug. 22 at the Riviera Country Club, 8801 W. 143rd St. Pompei, which has been remodeling the space formerly occupied by RC Mulligans, will be serving Egg Plant Parmesan Sandwiches, Meatball Sandwiches, Melrose Pepper Strudel and Ravioli Pasta, all for $4.

Dee’s Creative Cookin’ Now Open
Danette Richardson, a cook and kitchen supervisor at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, recently opened her own restaurant across the street from the school. Dee’s Creative Cookin’ is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 525 Ashland Ave. Richardson had a similar business in Blue Island for four years before opening earlier this year in Chicago Heights. My colleague Mary Compton recently sat down with Richardson. You can find her story in the Chicago Heights Patch.

Country Charm Grows Again
The patio experiment is over at the Country Charm restaurant in New Lenox, which recently enclosed the outdoor space and turned it into another new dining room at Lincolnway Drive and U.S. 30 in New Lenox.

Catching Up
Irene’s Bakery (formerly Jean’s Bakery) in Harvey closed its door at the end of January after 63 years. The bakery was always a popular choice for pre-Lenten paczki.

Deal of the Heat Wave
Country Charm in New Lenox is selling 8-pound bags of ice for $1.

Ed and Joe’s Closes Mokena Location

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Ed and Joe's in Mokena closed last week.

Ed and Joe's Pizza owners Michael and Ellen Clark announced last week in their email newsletter that they were closing their restaurant at 19901 S. Wolf Road in Mokena.

Here’s what they said: We will no longer be operating at our Mokena location. We want to thank all of our wonderful customers for 3 great years. We will honor any coupons or gift cards here at our Tinley Park store. Please continue to visit our Tinley Park location as we transition through this process.The Mokena location was carryout and delivery only and lacked a dining room, which means it could never match the Tinley Park’s location for events such as visits from the Grinch or offer live music.

Thai Eatery Opens
Pad Thai, a new restaurant that features Thai cuisine, opened recently at 7301 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park. It has another location in Lexington, Ky. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The eatery’s phone number is 708-532-3939.

Bath and Body Works to Reopen This Week
The Bath and Body Works store at 16035 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park Plaza is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Aug. 3, according to an email I received from the company last month. The store was closed about a month ago for remodeling.

Stoney Point Grill Expands
Stoney Point Grill is holding a grand opening this week for its new outdoor seating area at 19031 Old LaGrange Road in Mokena. The festivities climax with a Party on the Patio on Friday, Aug. 5, with drink tastings, bags tournament, free appetizers from 8-10 p.m. and live entertainment from 8-11 p.m.

Deal of the Week
Speedway has extended its gas discount at former Gas City locations to Aug. 14. Customers who use Speedy Rewards cards get 5 cents off a gallon of regular and mid-grade unleaded fuel while customers who opt for premium get 10 cents off a gallon. The company also has begun a Random Rewards program at those same stations. Customers who use their Speedy Rewards card inside the stores at those stations have a chance to win prizes including $10 gas cards, drinks, candy bars and snack bags.

Smoothie Rox Closes in Orland Park

Smoothie Rox closed recently in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Smoothie Rox, a coffee and fruit smoothie shop, has closed its doors at 13133 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

The shop is part of a company that franchises Smoothie Rox and Paradise Smoothie shops in Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

No word from owners Terry and Laura Kelly on what happened. The shop opened in May 2009.

Arthur Custom Homes closes
Home builder and remodeler Arthur Custom Homes appears to have closed. Its phone number is disconnected and its showroom has closed at 7657 St. Francis Road in Frankfort Square. The Village of Peotone is finding contractors to finish work on a subdivision that Arthur said on its website it was developing in that town.

Bettenhausen adds Fiat
Bettenhausen Auto Group has been growing like crazy since Chrysler almost went under a couple of years ago. The latest addition for the Tinley Park dealership is Fiat, which acquired the carmaker a couple of years ago.

Bettenhausen now sells Fiats at its longstanding location at 17514 S. Oak Park Ave. in downtown Tinley Park. So far, only Fiat 500s are in stock at the dealership, but more models are coming. It’s the only Fiat store in the Southland and one of only a handful in the Midwest. Also coming sometime in the future will be Alpha Romeos, another brand owned by Fiat.

Bettenhausen also moved its Dodge and Ram truck operations to the former Saturn dealership at 8355 W. 159th St. in Tinley Park.

It sells Chryslers and Jeeps from its location at 15941 S. 94th Avenue in Orland Park. There also is a used car lot south of the Fiat store on Oak Park Avenue.

Free Lego Mini-Models
Children from 6-14 can get free Lego mini-models on the first Tuesday of the month at the Orland Square Mall store. On Aug. 2, Lego is giving away Adirondack Chair models at 5 p.m. Free while supplies last.

Going Out of Business Sales at Borders, Sid’s Greenhouse

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

There are bargains to be had starting today in Orland Park and Palos Hills as Borders and Sid’s Greenhouse have each started going out of business sales.

Sid’s Greenhouse has been a fixture at 10926 Southwest Highway in Palos Hills for 50 years. The company announced earlier this week it would close its retail nursery and garden center locations in Palos and Bolingbrook because of the weak economy. More than 100 employees will lose their jobs when the stores close.

Liquidation discounts of 30-50 percent off regular prices are now being offered at both stores. Sid’s Reward Bucks are still redeemable for up to 50 percent of the regular price. Sid’s will be accepting cash, checks, credit cards, gift cards and gift certificates during the inventory closeout.

At Borders, 15620 S. LaGrange Road, discounts are starting at 40 percent of the original price. The book store is accepting gift cards throughout the liquidation sale, but Borders Bucks will expire on July 31.Borders Rewards Plus members will enjoy additional discounts for a week longer.

The retailer said Friday that up to 35 stores may reopen as Books-a-Million locations, but did not indicate which stores might be saved or how soon a deal could be reached.

Farewell for Randy’s Market
The community is invited to Randy’s Market at 14250 S. Ravinia (143rd Street and LaGrange Road) in Orland Park at 10 a.m. tomorrow for a Prayer of Thanksgiving by All Saints Lutheran Church Pastor Don Borling. The store will end its 25-year run at 6 p.m. to make way for the village’s Main Street Triangle project.

Orland Borders Open as Usual

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The last remaining Borders bookstore in the Southland at 15620 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park is open and doing business as usual, until Thursday. That's when the retailer will ask the U.S. bankruptcy court to approve liquidation of the chain's remaing 399 stores.

On Thursday, the court is expected to sign off on the plan to shutter the stores by the end of September.

A manager at the Orland store said Tuesday that details will emerge after Thursday's court hearing but what she has heard so far is that gift cards will be redeemed throughout the liquidation and rewards will be accepted for at least the first two weeks of the liquidation.

"It sounds like rewards won't be accepted after the first two weeks," said the manager, who declined to give her name.

She also said customers were pouring into the store on Tuesday.

"It's been busier today than the past three days combined," she said. "I think it's people wanting to use up their gift cards. But we've been told gift cards will be accepted until the end."

Rosati’s Takes Over Piazza’s in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Piazza’s Pizza closed last week at 19608 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. But it is expected to reopen Tuesday as a Rosati’s Pizza.

The phone number is remaining the same 708-479-9400 but there are a few changes coming. For one, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Friday. For another, the menu is changing. To get an idea of the new menu, visit http://www.rosatislockport.com/. The owner of that location is taking over the Mokena site.

There apparently are two pizza chains called Rosati’s that have a common ancestor. One is based in Warrenville and the other in Elgin. The Mokena and Lockport locations are part of the Elgin group, which uses http://www.myrosatis.com/ as its website.

Mexican restaurant closes in South Holland
Taquitos Munoz closed recently at 253 E. 162nd St. in South Holland. The eatery had been open for about a year when it shut its doors.

Oak Forest businesses relocate
Pup N Suds, a dog grooming service, recently relocated from 15159 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest to a new home a couple of blocks away at 4815 W. 155th St. The hours and phone number remain the same 708-687-4409.

Also moving was Great Clips, which moved its salon from 15825 S. Central Ave. to 5536 W. 159th St. The hours and phone number remain the same 708-535-9890.

El Cortez closes Orland location
El Cortez on June 26 closed its restaurant at 17171 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park. A manager at the nearby Mokena location said there wasn’t enough business at the Orland site to keep it open.

There had been lots of speculation that the Orland restaurant’s days were numbered after the chain opened at 10128 W. 191st St. in Mokena, which has proved to be quite popular. The flagship restaurant also remains open at 183rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Country Club Hills.

Deal of the week
A reminder that Speedway is giving discounts to Speedy Rewards card holders through July at locations acquired from Gas City earlier this summer. Card holders who swipe their cards get 5 cents off per gallon of regular and mid-range and 10 cents per gallon off premium. The chain also is selling any size iced tea or soft drink beverage for 67 cents.

Salina's Has New Home in Tinley Park

Salina's has a new home in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

In case you wondered where they went, Salina’s moved into bigger and better digs at 7551 W. 175th St. in Tinley Park.

The company, which started in Oak Lawn in 1995 moved into Tinley Park in 2000, now calls itself Salina’s Catering Pizza & Rentals, which reflects its restaurant business with pizza, sandwiches and pasta, catering business for parties large and small, and rental business that can provide tables, chairs and tents for events.

Owner Neal Hummitsch said the company moved from three storefronts on 80th Avenue into a single building with lots more space and an oversized kitchen.

Hummitsch also said that for a limited time, Salina’s is offering a large (14-inch) cheese pizza for only $4.99.

“We want to stir things up a little bit to get customers to stop by our new location,” Hummitsch said.
“We want to create a little buzz for a few weeks.”

Hours at the new location remain Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

But those hours can be expanded.
“We can cater 24 hours a day,” Hummitsch said. “In case there’s a business that has a night shift.”

For information, call Salina’s at 708-614-9100 or visit their website at Salina's Pizza & Catering. You can also follow them at Salina's on Facebook and Salina's on Twitter.

Komo’s Closes in Lansing
Another longtime southeast suburban business shut its doors recently with the closing of Komo’s Meats, Deli and Catering at 18036 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing.

Owner Skip Komorowski said he closed the business after 33 years because he was retiring and his kids have their own businesses. He started at the store 50 years ago when it was called Lan-Oak Food. He changed the name after buying the business.

Komorowski, 67, was a daily fixture at the store right until the end despite suffering a heart attack and stroke.

“The worse thing is I can’t drink anymore,” he said with a laugh.

Komorowski said he intends to do a lot of fishing from his 27-foot Ranger in the future and may “do a little catering on the side.”

Bachrach Closed Temporarily
Bachrach at Orland Square Mall is temporarily closed for remodeling as the mall makes room for Francesca’s Collections, which is coming to the lower level Macy’s Court. Bachrach will reopen later this month.

Bath and Body Works Reopening
The Bath and Body Works store at 16035 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park Plaza will be reopening Aug. 3 after a remodel.

Deal of the Week
Salina’s large cheese pizza (14-inch) $4.99. Call 708-614-9100. Or order online at http://www.cateringbysalinas.com/.

 

Jewel to Close Store in Olympia Fields

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Without a change of heart by its corporate parent, Supervalu, the Jewel-Osco at 2500 Lincoln Highway in Olympia Fields will close its Osco pharmacy next week and the supermarket by the end of August. A TCF bank inside the store will stay open until October.

Olympia Fields officials are hoping – against hope probably – that the decision could be rescinded now that ownership of the retail plaza has changed hands and its new owners may be willing to make favorable changes in its lease agreement. The village has been in talks with Supervalu for the past two years to upgrade the aging store and has reportedly offered incentives to keep the store in the village.
A news release on Friday said the decision was based in part on poor performance.

The store’s 80 employees are unionized and some may be able to transfer to other Southland Jewel-Osco stores.

Jewel stores are under assault in many areas from stores such as Aldi and Food 4 Less that are far cheaper, which is a consideration given the still iffy economic situation many are facing.

Berkot’s in Lockport
Following up on an earlier item, Mokena-based Berkot’s Foods will be officially opening its new store at 500 Summit Drive in Lockport on July 28.

Chicken Deal at Chick-fil-A
Fans of the chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-A have the chance to get free food on Friday at the restaurant at 15605 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, or any other location for that matter. There is a catch. You have to dress like a cow. Chick-fil-A is making it easy, there’s a website that you can visit to download a cow costume kit at Cow Appreciation Day. The more you dress like a cow the more free food you will get. http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

If that doesn’t appeal to you, the restaurant also is giving away free Chicken Egg & Cheese Bagels from 6-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 7.

Sonic Opens in Calumet City

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy


Sonic Drive-In fans in the Southeast Suburbs and Northwest Indiana no longer have to travel to Country Club Hills to get their fill of the chain’s hot dogs, burgers and frozen concoctions now that a restaurant has opened at 1299 Torrence Ave. in Calumet City.

The restaurant in the River Oaks Mall parking lot a couple of blocks south of 159th Street is the chain’s third in the Southland – joining Sonic eateries in Country Club Hills and Lockport. Its hours are 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

For information, visit Sonic Drive-In Calumet City.

Stateline Bakery closes
Paul and Joan Steffens have pulled the plug on their Stateline Bakery in Calumet City after decades of making some of the best atomic cakes, pastries and paczki in the Southland. The couple tried for years to sell the business but had no takers so they called it quits as of last June 26. Paul has indicated he will keep busy baking special orders such as wedding cakes but had enough of the daily grind.
Joan said the decision was “bittersweet” after so many years but she’s looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren.

Sephora opens in Orland
A Sephora beauty salon opened recently inside the J.C. Penney store in Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. The salon is open during store hours, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ashley Stewart relocates at Ford City
The Ashley Stewart women’s fashion store has moved into its new digs near Carsons at Ford City Mall in Chicago. Mall hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sarku Japan at Chicago Ridge Mall
Sarku Japan, a quick service teriyaki and sushi restaurant, opened recently in the Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall food court.

Ultimate Exposure closes in Tinley
The Ultimate Exposure tanning salon closed recently at 16650 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. But a new Ultimate Exposure took over the salon at 17821 S. 80th Avenue in the Tinley Corners shopping center.

Deal of the month: Speedway
Speedway is rolling back gas prices at gas stations it acquired recently from Gas City for holders of the chain’s Speedy Rewards card. Members can save 5 cents per gallon on regular and plus fuels and 10 cents per gallon on premium fuel from July 1-31. Stations include those in Tinley Park, Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox. For a complete list of stations, visit Speedway July Gas Deal.

Jersey Mike's Sub Shop to Open Wednesday in Orland Park

Jersey Mike's will open Wednesday in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Lisa Furleigh and Mac Shimmon are well versed in the restaurant business. Between them they have more than 60 years of experience and have toiled for several food companies including Dunkin’ Donuts, Wendy’s and, for Shimmon, a stint with the Whataburger chain in the Southwest U.S.

Once they decided it was time to open their own restaurant, they said it was an easy choice to hook up with Jersey Mike’s subs.

They will open a store on Wednesday at 15625 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. It will be the 21st Jersey Mike’s in the Chicago-area, with plans to open 28 by year's end. The chain’s first store in northern Illinois opened in Vernon Hills in 2009. A location opened last fall in Tinley Park.

Shimmon said he was particularly impressed by Jersey Mike’s corporate philosophy of giving back to the community.

“That reminded me of the way Dave Thomas ran Wendy’s. His philosophy always was ‘We need to be giving back to the community.’ And that’s the same philosophy as Jersey Mike’s.”

Toward that end, Shimmon and Furleigh are hosting grand opening fundraisers for both Andrew and Sandburg high school as well as the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National MS Society.

“If you come in and make a donation of at least $1, you get a free sandwich,” said Furleigh. “We are having two weeks of grand opening fundraisers instead of the usual one week.”

Besides the MS Society, the Orland Jersey Mike’s will be raising money for Sandburg High School and the Sandburg Music Boosters to help pay the band’s way to Hawaii in December for the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

After that fundraiser is over, the restaurant will raise money for the Andrew High School Parent Faculty Student Organization and the Andrew Music Boosters.

Furleigh said one aspect that attracted her to Jersey Mike’s was the quality of the food.
“It’s as good as what you get at home,” she said. “Everything is cooked in the store. It’s all fresh. And it tells in the sandwiches that we sell. You can taste the difference.”

She also said a New Jersey native talked her into adding something called Tasty Kakes to the menu.

“She said we weren’t a Jersey restaurant if we didn’t have Tasty Kakes,” said Furleigh with a laugh. “They are comparable to Hostess.”

Furleigh said she and Shimmon have a deal to open 10 Jersey Mike’s along LaGrange Road from U.S. 30 in Frankfort to North Avenue in Oak Park. She said their second store is expected to open next spring in Frankfort.

“This store is small (about 1,500 square feet) compared to what we’d like,” she said. The Orland Park store will have 22 employees when it opens.

The Orland Park store will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, visit Jersey Mike's Subs or check out their Facebook page at Jersey Mike’s Orland Park.

Performance Bicycle Open in Orland Park

Performance Bicycle is now open in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Performance Bicycle is holding its grand opening this weekend at 15876 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

The store in the Lake View Plaza is the chain's sixth in the Chicago area. It has a huge selection of bikes, helmets, shoes, jerseys, shorts and bike parts.

Grand opening specials include the first 100 adults through the door Friday, Saturday and Sunday each receive a free $20 Money Card. Recycle your used bike tubes, get a free $5 money card (up to three tubes). Spin the Prize Wheel until 3 p.m. each day.

Special grand opening hours: Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Regular hours will be Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, visit their website at Performance Bicycle.

Smashburger to Open Wednesday in Oak Lawn

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Brace yourselves, Oak Lawn, you are about to get smashed.

Not to worry, though, this smash tastes good and doesn’t leave a mark.

Smashburger will open its fifth Chicago-area gourmet hamburger restaurant on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at 5139 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

"We are excited to bring Smashburger to the southern suburbs and thought Oak Lawn was the ideal place to start," said Brian Beers, Regional Director of Operations.

Some lucky residents have already been picked to get an early taste of the Smashburger during an invitation-only sneak peek today. Among them is expected to be Mayor Dave Heilmann, who is scheduled to welcome the restaurant to Oak Lawn with a ceremonial smash of the first burger at 4:30 p.m.

According to its website, the smash is what makes Smashburger unique among the gourmet hamburger restaurants flocking to Chicago in recent years.

Smashburger says everything starts with a meatball of 100 percent Angus beef that is smashed onto a flat grill when ordered. The smash sears the burger and seals in the juices. Burgers are then customized with a variety of extras including traditional items such as cheese and lettuce and some not-so-traditional items such as fried egg and guacamole.

Aside from its title creation, Smashburger also serves an assortment of chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries and salads. There are also dishes for vegetarians, including fried pickles and veggie frites (flash-fried asparagus spears, carrot sticks and green beans).

You can get soft drinks, Haagen-Dazs milkshakes as well as beer and wine.

The Oak Lawn store is the fifth in the Chicago area with another five to open later this year. The Denver-based chain has more than 100 stores nationwide, and is looking for more in the Chicago-area.

"We are looking at several locations throughout Chicago, but do not have confirmed locations for 'southern' suburbs," said Beers.

Smashburger has no drive-through but can seat 65 people in its 2,000-square-foot Oak Lawn location. The company calls itself fast casual, which means customers order their food at a counter and their orders are brought to the table. The store will have 30 employees.

One unique aspect to the Oak Lawn store is its sign.

"The sign outside is one of the biggest in the company and can even be seen from airplanes departing from Midway," said Beers.

Smashburger will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Customers can join the Smash Club to get coupons and food deals sent to them via email.

For more information, visit Smashburger of Oak Lawn or check them out on Facebook.

Hibachi Grill now open
The Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, which bills itself as a Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine eatery, opened recently at 112 Town Center Road in Matteson (in the plaza with Toys R Us and Chuck E. Cheese). The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dinner is served all day on Sunday. They even offer buffet to go. The phone number is 708-679-8905.

Today's "blow-out" deal
Frederic Fekkai luxury hair products is offering free "Blow-Outs" to customers from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and from 1-4 p.m. Thursday at Ulta stores in Lakeview Plaza in Orland Park and Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park. Consumers can have either the Silky Straight or Full Blown Volume. The promotion is their way to celebrate the start of summer. The company recommends you call for an appointment. For information, visit http://www.fekkai.com/ or http://www.ulta.com/.

Berkot’s Moving Into Lockport

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

My sister-in-law was beside herself when the Fairway Finer Foods store closed in Lockport a few weeks ago.She really, really liked their potato salad and brownies.

She should be happy to learn though that the Fairway store (formerly Sterk’s) at 500 Summit Drive is being converted into a Berkot’s Super Foods store.

There’s no timetable for opening the store, but workers are inside the building getting it ready for reopening sometime this summer.

Berkot’s is based in Mokena and has 12 supermarkets throughout northern and eastern Will County.

The chain is well-regarded for its meat department and has some of the best beer prices around.

 For more information, visit their website at Berkot's Super Foods.

As for Fairway, the Dolton-based supermarket chain still has two stores in Dolton and another (former Sterk’s) store in Sauk Village.

Fat Jonnie’s Daughter closes
The Fat Jonnie’s Daughter hot dog stand closed recently at 9432 W. 191st St. in Mokena. 

Puppy Shop closes in Palos
The Puppy Shop, which opened in December at 12226 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights, has closed already. Owner Abraham Ronces said problems with permits and unexpected problems with the store’s water heater would have been too costly to repair. The store sold puppies and offered grooming services, and Ronces had ambitious plans for the future. He still sells puppies and offers grooming from his original store in Berwyn.

Deal of the week: Free pizza at Speedway
Speedway gas stations that serve fresh pizza (and not all of them do) will be giving away a free slice from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 27. Limit of one slice to a customer.

Aldi to open Friday in Chicago Ridge

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

The Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall Aldi store is holding its grand opening at 10 a.m. Friday.

Grand opening events include the chance to win groceries for an entire year, the chance to win tickets to see Glee Live on Stage, and $10 gift certificates for every $100 you spend at your favorite mall stores all weekend. Just bring your receipts dated May 20-22 to the Concierge Center.

The Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew will be on hand beginning at noon Saturday. Live entertainment will be going on from noon to 4 p.m. all three days including live music, face painting and balloon artists.

The idea of a grocery store in a mall may seem new to younger generations but Jewel supermarkets were original tenants of both Ford City shopping center on the Southwest Side and River Oaks Mall in Calumet City when they both opened in the mid-1960s; though both left within a few years.

For more information, visit their website at http://www.aldifoods.com/ or click here.

Simply Smokin’ closes
Simply Smokin, the latest restaurant to try its luck at 10211 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort, is closed, the apparent victim of an eviction.

Frankfort police told the Frankfort Station newspaper that the owners of the restaurant were evicted a couple of weeks ago. The story indicated the restaurant’s furnishings were strewn about in front of the restaurant, which would be consistent with an eviction.

Funny thing is, when the restaurant opened last summer, the Daily Southtown reported that its operators were longtime owners of the property.

Another funny thing is that the property is listed for sale with a couple of local real estate companies. The asking price is $1.3 million and all of the listings say the owner is retiring.

The string of failures there is puzzling considering all of the traffic that Lincoln Highway gets.

Gas City stations are now Speedways
The 17 Gas City stations bought by Speedway at the bankruptcy auction last month were rebranded last week. Hope you used your Gold Card rewards because they didn’t carry over to Speedway’s Speedy Rewards program. There were 4 stations in Frankfort, 3 in Homer Glen, 2 in Mokena, 2 in New Lenox and single stores in Tinley Park, Shorewood, Oswego, Naperville, Romeoville and Darien. It doesn’t appear the new Speedways will carry E85 fuel. For more information, visit their website at http://www.speedway.com/.

Golden Rose opening at Chicago Ridge
Another store opening at Chicago Ridge Mall on Friday is Golden Rose USA cosmetics. The store will be across the way from Aldi. For more information, visit their website at http://www.goldenroseusa.com/ or visit their Facebook page.

Deal of the day
If you like buffets, here’s a deal. Go to Old Country Buffet’s Facebook page and click the “Like” button. You will be able to print a coupon good for one free dinner buffet with the purchase of another dinner buffet and a beverage. The coupon is good through Wednesday night.

Five Below store for tweens and teens opens in Orland Hills

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new kind of dollar store aimed at the preteen and teen crowd opened in 10 locations in Chicagoland on Friday including stores at the Orland Town Center at 159th Street and 94th Avenue.

Grand opening promotions included nickel hot dogs, free T-shirts and a shopping spree.

Five Below carries merchandise ranging from fashions to consumer electronics to candy and snacks, all priced from $1 to $5.

The chain, which had 145 stores in 13 states mostly on the East Coast, is preparing a second wave of openings this summer including a store at 191st Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park’s Brookside Marketplace.

Store hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, call the Orland store at 708-403-2185 or visit the website at http://www.fivebelow.com/. The chain also has a Facebook page.

Gas station face-liftThe Clark gas station at 16836 Oak Park Ave. is being rebranded as a Marathon station. The station is closed while signage is changed and the station undergoes a brief remodel.

Deal of the weekThis may not appeal to everybody, but comic book lovers can get free comic books on Saturday at Amazing Fantasy Books & Comics stores in Frankfort, Tinley Park, Calumet City and Lockport. The giveaway runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or as long as supplies last. In past years, the stores have had appearances by costume characters and autograph sessions by comic book authors and artists. For more information, visit http://www.afbooks.com/.