Orland Park Whole Foods to Open Nov. 2

The Whole Foods Market under construction in Orland Park will open in November.

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy 

Whole Foods Market announced this week that its new store at 15260 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park will be opening on Friday, Nov. 2.

The Texas-based chain said Emily Conklin, who has been with the company for 14 years, would be the store manager. She will be moving over from the supermarket’s store in Chicago’s Lakeview community.

The store is one of eight the company is opening this year. It will be the chain’s 18^th store in the Chicago market and the first in the Southland. 

At 27,000 square feet, the store is on the small size, especially when compared to a Meijer or Jewel, but Whole Foods prides itself on featuring natural and organic foods that are free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats. 

Whole Foods said the store would bring 150-160 jobs. 

The store will open with a week of special events and sales.

Chipotle Opens in Homewood

Chipotle opened its latest restaurant this week at 17700 S. Halsted St. in Homewood. The restaurant features Mexican cuisine and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For information, call 708-798-1332 or visit them online at Chipotle Homewood.

Buona Beef May Be Coming to Beverly

Buona Restaurants and Catering is considering opening a location in the Beverly community, but has no specific location lined up.

“Beverly would be a good fit,” said John Gill, marketing director for the Berwyn-based restaurant chain. “But we have no timeline and no specific location picked out.”

“Our business and our menu fits in well with the Beverly community,” he said. “And Beverly is one of our most requested places for a new location.”

If Buona decides to build in Beverly, it would be the chain’s first location inside Chicago.

The chain has 14 suburban restaurants and is building a 15^th in Orland Park, which is expected to open later this year, Gill said.

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.

Bogart’s Closes in Homewood

Bogart's closed earlier this week in Homewood.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bogart’s Charhouse, 18255 Dixie Highway in Homewood, has closed its doors for the last time.

The popular restaurant reportedly hosted a party Sunday night and announced it was closing that night.

Online comments by people claiming to be employees said the owners attributed the closing to financial considerations.

Attempts to reach them were unsuccessful. The restaurant’s phone number is out of service and redirects you to a voice mailbox.

The Homewood location outlasted its Tinley Park sister by a couple of years. The Tinley location first was sold and then reacquired and then downsized and renamed Casablanca and eventually closed for good. Its location on Oak Park Avenue is still empty.

Gap Open During Construction

A new Gap store is under construction in the lower level Sears Court at Orland Square Mall, but the store will remain open in its current location until the new space is ready.

Rue 21 Now Open

Rue 21, a national fashion retailer for young men and women, opened a 5,800-square-foot store recently in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159^th Street and Harlem Avenue. The store is between Walt’s Foods and Bath & Body Works. The chain operates 770 stores in 46 states.

For information, call 708-444-2934 or visit them online at Rue 21.

Fiscal Expert to Focus on State Debt for Southland Chamber

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall, long recognized as a public policy expert, will be the guest speaker at the Sept. 10 Regional Consensus Lunch for the Southland Chamber of Commerce at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Msall will discuss steps that lawmakers could take to address the state’s fiscal mess especially dealing with millions of dollars in unfunded pensions.

A licensed attorney, Msall’s background includes being a senior advisor for economic development under former Gov. George Ryan. Msall joined the Civic Federation in 2002.

The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Reservationscan be made online at Chicago Southland Regional Consensus Lunch or by calling 708-956-6950.

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.

Chuck’s Fest Returns to Toyota Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Chuck’s Fest, a beer, food and music extravaganza, returns this weekend to Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

The fest was started in 2008 by Chuck Pine, owner of Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café in Burbank. The three-day festival moved two years ago to Toyota Park.

A new food offering this year will be smoked goat, which will be done on Saturday at the fest alongside Birrieria Zaragoza, a Mexican restaurant in Chicago renowned for its roast goat.

Back this year will be the beer tasting on Saturday featuring 80 brewers serving more than 120 craft beers.

“It’s probably the biggest beer tasting event in Chicago,” Pine said. “We’ll have VIP tasting from noon to 3 p.m. for $45 to give connoisseurs a jump on the sampling. They’ll be able to sample everything we have including some brands that we have in limited supply.”

Activities for kids include a balloon launcher, face painting and a bounce house.

Bands will be on stage throughout the festival.

There will be big screen TVs located so fans can keep tabs on their favorite college and pro games over the weekend.

For a complete list of beers and food and bands, visit Chuck’sFest 2012.

General admission is $5 per person with free parking. Hours are Friday, Sept. 7, 5-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

House of Brides Making its Move

The new House of Brides Wedding Super Center in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The House of Brides store at 15180 S. LaGrange Road in Ravinia Plaza in Orland Park has closed, and the company will be moving into a new location at 9604 W. 161st St. in Orland Park.

"They have applied for a transfer of business license and occupancy permit," Karie Friling, Orland Park's director of development services, said. "We will be inspecting the store (this) week."

 A news release on PRWeb.com stated the company will announce this week the location and opening date of its new House of Brides Wedding Super Center in Orland Park.

Calls to the House of Brides corporate office in Glen Ellyn were not returned.

The company was ordered by Cook County Judge Maureen P. Feerick to vacate the Ravinia Plaza premises by the end of August for failure to pay more than $232,000 in back rent to Inland Real Estate Corp.

The case began on March 1 when a joint action complaint was filed at the Cook County Courthouse in Bridgeview. At that time, House of Brides was $208,620 in arrears.

Inland spokeswoman Nicole Spreck declined to speak about the court decision citing company policy.

Famous Dave’s to Open at Evergreen Pointe

Minnesota-based Famous Dave’s restaurant chain last month signed a lease for a 3,600-square-foot barbecue restaurant at 2851 W. 95^th St. in the former Little Gym at Evergreen Pointe shopping center.

The village approved a business license and wine and beer liquor license for Famous Dave’s in April.

The restaurant is now hiring managers and other employees. Job candidates can apply online at Famous Dave’s Evergreen Park.

Once open, hours will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The chain operates more than 170 restaurants in the United States, including one in Orland 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 catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Advance Auto Parts Opens in Mokena

Advance Auto Parts is now open in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Virginia-based Advance Auto Parts opened its after-market auto store today in the last remaining outlot at the Mokena Town Square shopping center at LaGrange and LaPorte roads in Mokena.

The store, which is next to the A&W Root Beer and KFC restaurant, is the company’s 11th in the Chicago Southland.

For information, call 708-478-8098 or visit them online at Advance Auto.

Jos. A Bank Reopens at Orland Square Mall

Men’s clothier Jos. A. Bank opened recently its new upper level location on Aug. 18 at Orland Square Mall 

in Orland Park.

The store moved into the space vacated by Ruby Tuesday while its own former downstairs space will become home later this year to The Cheesecake Factory.

For information, call 708-226-1191 or visit them online atJos. A. Bank.

Sweet Deal for Metra Station

Tinley Park officials have selected Isn’t That Sweet of Palos Heights to provide pastries, light lunch and coffee to commuters at the 80^th Avenue Metra Station. Owner Nicole Betourney should be open for business later this year.

Home Run Inn Coming to Beverly

Home Run Inn has announced on its Facebook page that its pizzeria at 10900 S. Western Ave. in the Beverly community is scheduled to open in October. The restaurant originally was expected to be open by this spring.

The Beverly location will be the chain’s ninth restaurant in the Chicago area.

The dine-in restaurant will be about 4,000 square feet in size and is being built on two adjoining lots. It will seat about 120 people and offer liquor.

The chain was started in 1947 at 4254 W. 31^st St.

Calls to marketing director Gina Bolger were not returned.

New Look for Lady Foot Locker

The Lady Foot Locker shoe store inside Ford City Shopping Center, 7601 S. Cicero Ave. in Chicago, recently finished a remodeling project.

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.

Lou Malnati’s Coming to Oak Lawn

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy 

Lou Malnati’s pizza chain is hoping to open its latest location at 5261 W. 95^th St. in Oak Lawn by the first week of November.

The Oak Lawn location would be No. 35 for the chain, which is famous for its deep dish pizza.

“Most of our locations are in Chicago and the northern suburbs,” said Director of Marketing Mindy Kaplan. 

“But we just opened a store in Joliet and are looking more into expanding in the south suburbs.

“We’re really excited about opening a location in Oak Lawn,” Kaplan said.

Lou Malnati’s is renovating a vacant building next door to the new Eva’s Bridal shop and across the street from the library in downtown Oak Lawn.

The new restaurant will offer catering, carry-out and delivery only. The chain has 22 carry-out stores and 12 locations that offer sit-down dining.

The company was established by Lou Malnati in Lincolnwood in 1971 and is still owned by the Malnati family.

For more information, visit Lou Malnati’s online.

Carson’s to Close at River Oaks

Bon-Ton Stores announced earlier this week it would close its Carson’s store at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City when its lease expires at the end of January.

The company said the 75 employees at the store would be allowed to interview for positions at other Carson’s stores or would receive severance benefits.

Mariano’s Groundbreaking in Frankfort

Village of Frankfort officials and corporate bigwigs from Roundy’s Supermarket in Milwaukee officially broke ground this week for the company’s Mariano’s Fresh Market near U.S. 30 and LaGrange Road in the village. The store is scheduled to open in the spring.

Bedding Experts Now Open in Romeoville

A Bedding Experts store is holding its grand opening at 42 S. Weber Road in Romeoville in the Jewel-Osco plaza. For information, call 815-372-9012 or visit the store online.

Schilling Now Hiring

Schilling Design Center and Lumber Yard at 9900 W. 191^st St. in Mokena is hiring drivers, sales expeditors, warehouse workers and yard associates. For information and an online application, visit them online at Schilling Lumber in Mokena.

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.

BP says bad gas was sold at stations across the Southland, not all were BP

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

BP has updated its web site devoted to the bad gasdistributed to stations in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin to include a searchfeature for stations that sold the bad gas.

Turns out, BP stations as far west as Joliet received the fuel and that the bad gas also was sold by several non-BP stations including Speedway and Thorntons.

BP says drivers who bought the bad gas will notice immediate problems including hard starting, stalling and rough idling. Repairs require draining the gas tank and cleaning the fuel system and can run from $300 to more than $1,000.

If you think you purchased the bad gas, call the BP claim center at 800-599-9040 or visit the company’s web site at www.bpresponse.com.

Here is a list of gas stations in the Southland that sold the bad gas, according to BP.

Frankfort

BP at Lincoln Highway and LaGrange Road

Speedway stations at 19730 S. Harlem Ave., 11151 W. Lincoln Highway, 7218 W. Lincoln Highway

Evergreen Park

BP at 2620 W. 95^th St.

Independent station at 9803 S. Kedzie

Chicago Heights

BPs at 605 Dixie Highway, 322 W. Lincoln Highway

Crestwood

BP at 13459 S. Cicero Ave.

Crete

BP at 24525 S. Western Ave.

Calumet Park

BP at 12701 S. Paulina

Independent station at 12659 S. Ashland

Harvey

Marathon station at 15355 Dixie Highway

Hazel Crest

BP at 17460 Kedzie

Hickory Hills

BP at 7933 W. 95^th St.

Homer Glen

Speedway at 15060 S. Bell Road

Hometown

BP at 4721 W. 87^th St.

Joliet

BPs at 1987 W. Jefferson, 1411 Riverboat

Thornton stations at 1602 Essington Road, 2798 W. Jefferson

Justice

Citgo station at 8755 W. 79^th St.

Lansing

BP at 17002 S. Torrence Ave.

GoLo station at 18595 S. Torrence Ave.

Markham

BP at 16655 S. Crawford

Mokena

BP at 9545 W. 191^st St.

New Lenox

BP at 103 Maple St.

Matteson

BP at 21102 Governors Highway

Speedway at 19880 Crawford Ave.

Oak Forest

BP at 5548 W. 159^th St.

Oak Lawn

BPs at 5870 W. 95^th St., 10259 S. Cicero Ave., 11040 S. Crawford Ave.

Olympia Fields

Speedway at 3602 W. 211^th St.

Orland Park

BP 14299 S. LaGrange Road

Palos Heights

BP at 12700 S. Harlem Ave.

Power station at 6400 W. 127^th St.

Richton Park

BP at 4769 Sauk Trail

South Holland

BP at 951 E. 162^nd St.

Tinley Park

Delta Sonic at 6800 W. 159^th St.

Speedway stations at 18460 S. 80^th Avenue, 7201 W. 183^rd St.

University Park

Raceco station at Stuenkel Road and Cicero Avenue

Chicago

BPs at 10302 S. Torrence, 6500 S. Kedzie, 10300 S. Western Ave.

Bookie’s Paperbacks Survives Run-In

Bookie's Paperbacks is open after surviving a run-in with a car.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bookie’s Paperbacks is the second area business to survive a run-in with a vehicle this month.

A motorist plowed into the bookstore on Aug. 12 and knocked out a wall, front window and front counter at 2419 W. 103^rd St. in Chicago’s Beverly community.

“The store was crowded, but miraculously, nobody was hurt,” said owner Allison Platt.

“We were closed for three days while we cleaned up,” she said. “Now we’re open for business again.”

Platt said a brick mason was at the store last week to start putting the wall back up.

For information, visit Bookie’s Paperbacks online or checkout their Facebook page.

Earlier this month, the Hostess/Wonder Bread outlet store at 87^th Street and Ridgeland Avenue in Burbank was hit by a car after hours. An employee was in the back of the store but no one was injured in that incident.
  
Brookside Marketplace Expansion

DDR Corp., which purchased Brookside Marketplace in Tinley Park earlier this year, has proposed adding a 23,344-square-foot free-standing building for an unnamed nationally known retailer.

The development would be built between the Best Buy parking lot and a small strip of stores to the south.

It would be the first new development by DDR and the first for the shopping center since an expansion last year opened up space for Old Navy, Home Goods and Five Below.

Palos McDonald’s Being Demolished

The McDonald’s at 7100 W. 127^th St. in Palos Heights closed Saturday afternoon and demolition was to begin today on the fast-food restaurant.

Once the site has been cleared, work will begin on a new McDonald’s that will feature a new design. The children’s play area will disappear but the new building will have side-by-side ordering lanes, an upscale interior, free Wi-Fi and laptop charging stations.

Construction on the new McDonald’s should be complete by late fall or early winter.

The work is part of a nationwide remodeling campaign by McDonald’s and its franchise owners. Older McDonald’s have been torn down and rebuilt in recent months in South Holland and Munster, Ind.

Free Gyros on Tuesday

Our deal of the week comes from Kronos Foods, the purveyor of meat and other foods to many Greek restaurants in the Southland, which is offering its fourth annual free gyros day on Tuesday, Aug. 28.  

You have to download a coupon and indicate the restaurant you will be visiting for your free sandwich.

Participating restaurants also will be taking donations for the Fisher House Foundation’s Help Yourself & You Can Help a Hero campaign to raise money for Fisher House on the campus at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood.

This year, the top four restaurants whose customers raise the most money for the Fisher House Foundation will each give a free Kronos T-shirt to the first 100 customers who order a gyros sandwich on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The restaurants will be announced on Facebook, Twitter and Kronos’ website.

Participating restaurants can be found at the Kronos website but they include Bees Steak and Lemonade in Country Club Hills, Goody’s & Gyros in Homer Glen, Grill King in Palos Hills, Johnny’s Wee-Nee Wagon in Markham, Kojaks in Burbank, Nick’s BBQ in Palos Heights, Burbank, Homer Glen, Romeoville and Tinley Park, Pop’s in Lockport, Crown Point, Dyer, Tinley Park, Romeoville, Orland Park, Mokena, Homewood and Palos Heights, and The Original Babys in Country Club Hills.

Rosati’s Closes in Tinley, to Relocate

Rosati’s closed recently at 171^st Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park, but a spokesman for the company said the franchise would be reopening soon at 76^th Avenue and 159^th Street in the village.

Pure Core Nutrition Opens in Orland

Owner John Ziccarelli recently opened a Pure Core Nutrition health store at 15880 S. LaGrange Road in 

Orland Park. For information, call 708-403-1000.

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.