RoccoVino's Italian Restaurant Opening This Week in Orland Park

RoccoVino's is opening this week in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

RoccoVino’s Italian Restaurant is expected to open this week in the former Palermo’s location at 11255 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park.

General Manager Tony Gloria said the restaurant was going to have an invitation-only soft opening tonight and then probably open to the public on Friday.

“We should be ready by Friday,” he said.

Gloria said the Orland location is the chain’s fourth stand-alone restaurant and the first in the Southland. The chain also operates 10 satellite locations in places such as park district concession stands, but none are in the Southland.

“We open a new restaurant every couple of years and this year we stumbled across this location,” he said. “One of our owners knows the owner of this shopping center from Easter Seals and he told us this spot was coming open and here we are.”

Gloria said RoccoVino’s features upscale Italian in a casual atmosphere, and added the Orland location would offer a hybrid menu a little different from the other locations.

“We’ll have some creative pasta dishes, fresh seafood, veal and chops and all kinds of pizza, but with moderate pricing, especially for this area,” he said. “And our entire menu will be available for delivery.”

Gloria said the restaurant will be very involved in the community, as it elsewhere.

“We work with area groups on hot lunch programs and offer special discounts for schools. In fact, I’m catering the lunch for this year’s Orland Park Chamber golf outing.”

Gloria said in addition to dine-in, delivery, catering and carry-out, RoccoVino’s also has a small banquet room with seating for about 40.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For information, call 708-460-5900 or visit their website or their Facebook page.

Palos Driving School Opens

Palos Driving School opened recently at 8134 W. 111th St. in Palos Hills, across the street from Stagg High School.

The school says its instructors are all teachers who have at least 17 years of teaching driver's education. It says it caters to busy students who can't take driver's ed at school, as well as adults. The school offers free home pick-up and drop-off services for behind-the-wheel lessons.

For information, call 708-974-8003 or visit the company's website.

Bath & Body Works Moves

Bath & Body Works opens at 10 a.m. today in its new space (across the hall from its old location) at Orland Square Mall.

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.

Frankfort, Mokena Kick Off 2012 Farmer’s Market Season

The annual Country Market returns on Sunday to downtown Frankfort.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fans of farmer’s markets can get an early start on the season this weekend when Mokena and Frankfort bring back their respective outdoor marketplaces.

First up on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the new Mokena Downtown Farmer’s Market, which is replacing the old French Market.

The new Downtown Farmer’s Market is the brainchild of Tony Dina, Charlene Bergman and Barbara Bergman who wanted something new that might help the merchants on Front Street.

The new market has moved out of the Metra parking lot and instead will fill Front Street from Chase Bank east to Mokena Bank, said Dina.

“Hopefully, we will encourage some foot traffic for the businesses on Front Street,” he said. “The French Market didn’t do anything for the merchants. People would park in the lot, visit the market and leave.”

Dina said the idea for the new market came together very quickly and with the village’s blessing, and is being done on a shoestring budget.

Response, so far, has been good, he said.

“We will have more than 15 vendors,” he said Friday. “We’ve had some call up today that want to be here tomorrow.”

“We’ll have two musical entertainment areas, and hope to offer entertainment every weekend,” he said. “Later on, we’ll have demonstrations, like the Fire Department showing how to do CPR.”

He said the Farmer’s Market would set aside space for civic groups such as the Boy Scouts to showcase their group or promote a special event.

Dina sees the market growing, too.

“I know we’ll have some vendors in the crowd checking us out to see if they want to become part of the market,” he said.

Dina said there will be a ribbon-cutting grand opening of the new market in the next couple of weeks with Mayor Joe Werner.

For information on the market, call Dina at 708-525-0733, Charlene Bergman at 708-479-2706 or Barbara Bergman at 708-479-6182. You can also visit the Facebook page for the new Mokena Downtown Merchants Association.

Next up on Sunday will be the return of the Frankfort Country Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Frankfort.

This year’s market has its traditional site in the Breidert Green parking lot as well as additional space for vendors around the corner in a renovated Fra-Milco Cabinet Co. Parking lot. There are also new vendors coming this season.

For a map of the new layout and a list of new vendors, check out this story by Joe Vince, editor at the Frankfort Patch.

Smokin’ in Orland Park

Smokehouse, a restaurant that features burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and like fare, opened three weeks ago at 15020 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

Owned by Brian and Mary Yates, Smokehouse also will feature smoked chicken and ribs once some equipment issues have been fixed.

“I think we’ll have smoked chicken and ribs back on the menu by next week,” he said Friday.

Hours for Smokehouse are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The eatery is closed on Sunday.

“I need a day off once in a while,” Yates said with a laugh.

He decided to open the restaurant after retiring from the Evergreen Park Police Department.

Why Orland Park?

“I kinda like it out here,” he said. “The area has a little bit of everything.”

For information, call 708-403-9500.

Tom’s Closing in Homewood

This is the last weekend to enjoy a meal at Tom’s Restaurant at 1944 Ridge Road in Homewood. Longtime owner Tom Kataras is retiring after 65 years in the restaurant business and the eatery will close for the last time at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 1.

I’d expect long lines as fans of the popular restaurant make a final visit between now and Tuesday.

Bloomin' Again

Every Bloomin’ Thing has reopened at 7648 W. 159th St. in Orland Park after its winter break.

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.

Book Worm Café Nears First Anniversary in Oak Lawn, Coming to New Lenox

Lisa Abu-Samra and Mohammed Abu-Samra help a customer
at the Book Worm Cafe inside the Oak Lawn Library.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Chef Andy Vaitkus said the hardest part of opening the Book Worm Café in the Oak Lawn Public Library was having to work in such a small space.

“It’s only 550 square feet,” he said. “So, we do a lot of cooking with countertop ovens and convection ovens.”

That restraint hasn’t kept Vaitkus and his partners from making a go of the café, which will celebrate its first anniversary next month.

Vaitkus, who has 12 years of restaurant experience, said business has been great in their first year.

“We’re doing a lot of business,” he said. “But we still get a lot of new customers.”

Book Worm Café has a pretty extensive menu for such a small space. “Everything we make is from scratch,” he said.

The menu, so far, has included deli sandwiches, paninis, mini-pizzas, soups, pastries and brownies, though that’s about to change.

“In another week or so, we’re changing the menu to begin offering healthy choice items, vegetarian dishes, wraps and falafel,” he said.

The business is also expanding.

“We just signed a contract to open a Book Worm Café at the New Lenox Public Library,” Vaitkus said. “It will be opening June 1 and my wife will be running it.”

Vaitkus, his wife Nancy Jensen and sister Lisa Abu-Samra and her husband Mohammed Abu-Samra are partners.

Vaitkus and his sister grew up in Oak Lawn and his sister and her family still live in the village.

The café is located on the library’s first floor near the Raymond Avenue entrance. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

The café offers free wireless Internet access.

For information on daily specials, call 708-357-9676.

PNC Branch in Oak Forest Closes

PNC, which was one of the original businesses to locate in Oak Forest’s Gateway development at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, closed its doors last week. The branch was closed on Friday as PNC moved accounts at that location to its branch at 7151 W. 159th St. in Tinley Park.

Lockport Express Medical Opens

Lockport Express Medical opened an immediate care facility Wednesday at 16427 W. 159th St. in Lockport, just off the Interstate 355 exit.

An open house grand opening will be Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with food, music and giveaways. White Sox mascot Southpaw will pose for pictures from 10-11 a.m. WCCQ DJ Roy Gregory will broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free blood pressure screenings and child car seat inspections by the Lockport Police Department. There also will be drawings for a Kindle Fire, a Day at American Girl Place and two tickets to a White Sox game.

The clinic is open daily and accepts most insurance plans. Staff doctors are Nagui Hanna, an MD who specializes in pediatrics and emergency medicine, and Matthew Glowacki, a DO who specializes in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. No appointments are necessary.

For information, call 815-588-1111 or visit their website or check out their Facebook page.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@chotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com./

Convergence Technologies to Open New Mokena Location

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Convergence Technologies will hold its grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at its new Mokena location at 19112 Blackhawk Parkway.

Convergence, a computer and networking technology company based in Burr Ridge, is celebrating the opening of a new broadband network servicing Mokena, Alsip, Frankfort and Orland Park.

It will eventually offer its new service across the Southland and into northwest Indiana thanks to a $12 million Federal Broadband Stimulus Grant the company received.

The network provides high speed Internet phone service (Voice over IP), payment processing for merchants and cloud technology for residential and business customers.

The company has added 75 new jobs to the Mokena area.

For information on Convergence and its services, call 630-887-1000 or visit its website at http://www.converge-tech.com/.

Orland Square to Open Family Lounge

Orland Square Mall in Orland Park, which first opened in 1976 and is in the midst of a long overdue face-lift, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Family Lounge with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday on the lower level next to Bare Berry Yogurt with activities and refreshments.

The lounge will feature five family restrooms, privacy rooms for mothers who are breastfeeding, bottle warming stations and a family seating area. The lounge also will be adjacent to the children’s playing area.

Other renovations now under way at the Simon Properties mall include new entrances, new signage and resurfacing of the parking lot.

Tinley Aquarium Shop Closes

Capture the Sea, a fish and aquarium shop at 8010 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, closed recently.

Marquette Bank Offers Life Car, Estate Planning Seminar

Marquette Bank and the law offices of Stephen M. Sutera are partnering to offer a free life care and estate planning seminar at the Oak Lawn Hilton at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.

Sutera will answer questions regarding wills, trusts, estate planning and senior life care planning at the seminar entitled, Effective Senior Life Care & Estate Planning Strategies – Understanding Your Options in Today’s Complex World.

Light refreshments will be provided during the event. Anyone interested in attending should register by calling 708-460-5166 as seating will be limited.

CUB to Pay Lucky Someone’s April Electric Bill

The Citizens Utility Board announced on Earth Day that one out of every 10 families who sign up for the consumer group’s free online energy bill-cutting service, CUBenergysaver.com, will have their electric bills paid in the month of April, up to $150.

CUBenergysaver.com was launched in June 2010 as a partnership between CUB and New York City-based Efficiency 2.0. Since then, the tool has helped consumers trim their gas and electric bills by an average of $130 a year by recommending hundreds of personalized energy-saving actions.

Efficiency 2.0 has offered to cover the April electric bill, up to $150, for one out of every 10 consumers who join CUB Energy Saver before June 1. Join at www.CUBenergysaver.com/earth.

“Protecting the planet starts at your doorstep,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said in a release. “CUB Energy Saver proves that there are hundreds of ways to cut costs and reduce energy waste. It’s simple, it’s free, and it’s what Earth Month is all about.”

CUB Energy Saver links to a household's Commonwealth Edison account to track actual reductions in energy waste. It then rewards those reductions with points — two for every kilowatt-hour saved — that can be redeemed for shopping and restaurant discounts. The tool works for all residential electric consumers, including those who have signed up for alternative electric suppliers.

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.

Dry Goods Coming to Orland Park

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Iowa-based Von Maur Inc. announced Monday it will open a 4,500-square-foot Dry Goods specialty store at Orland Square Mall in the fall.

The Orland store will be the women’s specialty store chain’s third location in the Chicago area and only the seventh Dry Goods store as it builds the brand. The other Chicago-area stores are at Fox Valley and Woodfield malls.

Dry Goods offers the latest in contemporary women’s clothing and accessories and features products from brands such as Free People, Hudson, Jessica Simpson, Joe’s Jeans and Silver. The store also offers an interest-free credit card for its customers.

The store will be located on the second level of the northwest wing and will feature the chain’s turn-of-the-century look.

Von Maur said the opening is part of its strategic growth plan for Dry Goods by selecting markets in which the 140-year-old company has yet to establish a presence.

"The success and volume of business at our current Chicagoland locations has been tremendous, leaving us confident that our newest location in Orland Park will yield similar results," said Jim von Maur, president of Von Maur, in a release. "With Orland Square Mall's prominent demographic of female shoppers, coupled with our exciting mix of contemporary fashion and quality service, Dry Goods will undoubtedly be well received by shoppers."

Orland Square Mall also announced two more tenants on Monday.

Flip Flop Shoes, which offers the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals, is expected to open this summer while Love Culture, a store that sells affordable women’s fashions and accessories, is expected to open in August.

Westfield Sells Chicago Ridge, Joliet Malls

Australian-based Westfield Group announced last week that it was selling 90 percent stakes in its Chicago Ridge and Louis Joliet malls as part of a $1 billion deal with Starwood Capital Group.

Westfield will retain a 10 percent stake in the 838,608 square foot Chicago Ridge Mall and the 971,025 square foot Louis Joliet Mall and continue to manage them, the company said in a news release.

Connecticut-based Starwood also purchased majority stakes in five other Westfield-owned malls in the United States. An additional Westfield property was sold to another buyer in a separate transaction.

Westfield retains ownership of Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills.

Warehouse Sells for $64 Million

CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust announced last week that it paid $64.3 million for a 1.35 million square foot warehouse in University Park. The warehouse at 2400 Dralle Road is leased by Clorox.

Bath House Closes

The Bath House, a bath and kitchen remodeling company, closed its business and showroom recently at 4811 W. 103rd St. in Oak Lawn.

Bank to Host ID Theft Seminar

Standard Bank and Trust will host a free community seminar to protect residents against identity theft from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at the Evergreen Park location at 2400 W. 95th St. RSVP to Julie Partacz at 708-499-2000 Ext. 60110.

The same branch is holding a free neighborhood shredding event on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents can bring four banker boxes of items per household to be shredded.

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.

Two Restaurants Remodeling in Orland Park, Tinley Park

Olympic Star in Tinley Park is closed for remodeling.
 The restaurant should reopen by Mother's Day.

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Two popular and longtime restaurants in Orland Park and Tinley Park have closed for remodeling.

Pop’s at 14279 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park is closed for remodeling that a sign in front of the restaurant says will take two weeks.

Olympic Star at 7100 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park is also closed for remodeling. A sign in front of the building says the restaurant will be back in business by Mother’s Day.

The Olympic Star remodeling is well overdue. I think the décor and furniture at the 24-hour Greek diner is the same as it was when I first ate there 25 years ago after moving to the area. It may not have changed since the restaurant opened in 1978.

Can’t wait to see its fresh new look.

Tinley Brew and Vine Fest is Saturday

The third annual Tinley Park Brew and Vine Festival will take place from 2-11 p.m. on Saturday at the Tinley Park Convention Center at 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue.

Sample beer, wine and food from local vendors and enjoy live entertainment. You can also visit with former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, who will be on hand from 2-4 p.m. hawking his new The Big Hurt brand of suds.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the chamber office, 17316 S. Oak Park Ave., or online at http://www.tinleyparkbrewandvinefest.com/.

Join the Fox Team

Fox Head, which is opening its first Chicago-area store in June, is hosting a job fair starting at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday at Center Court at Orland Square Mall.

The chain made its name with a worldwide brand of motocross apparel and has since branched out into other performance sports.

The mall said the store will be moving into part of the space being vacated by Bath & Body Works, which is downsizing and moving across the way.

The company was started as Fox Racing in 1974 in Campbell, Calif.

For information, visit the company’s website at http://www.foxhead.com/us/.

Orland Rotary Seeks Host Families

The Orland Park Rotary Club is looking for International Exchange Student Host Families within the borders of Sandburg High School for a student who will be living in Orland Park from the fall of 2012 until the summer of 2013. Host families provide a safe and loving environment for approximately three months.

Students have health insurance as well as an allowance from Orland Park Rotary. Contact Debra Baker at 708-362-1058 for information.

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 at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.

Frank Thomas to Promote Big Hurt Beer at Durbin's, Beer and Vine Fest

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas will be visiting Durbin’s locations this week and the Tinley Park Beer and Vine Fest on Saturday to promote his Big Hurt Beer.

Thomas, who was known as the Big Hurt while a player, will be at the Tinley Park location tonight at 6:30 p.m. and at the Midlothian Durbin’s at 8 p.m., the Palos Hills Durbin’s at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the Evergreen Park Durbin’s at 6:30 p.m. Friday and the Burbank location at 8 p.m. Friday, and the Frankfort Durbin’s at 7 p.m. Saturday. He’ll be at the Beer and Vine Fest in Tinley Park from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday.

Tenant Found for Tinley Distribution Center

Bedford Park-based M. Block & Sons, which is the leading distributor of consumer products to retailers throughout the United States, according to its website, will be moving in to the Tinley Park Corporate Center at Oak Park Avenue and Prosperi Drive in Tinley Park.

The 915,000 square foot distribution center has never been occupied since it was built back in 2008.

The deal was announced last week by commercial real estate firm CBRE Group.

Tinley Economic Development Director Ivan Baker said some tenant build out would be required because the building was never finished in 2008.

As part of the deal, Tinley Park is going to prohibit parking on Prosperi Drive east of Oak Park Avenue so trucks using the warehouse will not have to negotiate parked cars.

CBRE said M. Block & Sons would be moving in sometime in June.

M. Block said its vendor partners include Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and their Keurig single serve coffee division, Proctor & Gamble, Kraft, Sensio, Tristar Products Inc., Applica Inc., Jarden Consumer Solutions, Blue Avocado, and Arc International. Major retail accounts include Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, Target, JC Penney, Macy's, Costco, Kohl's and other leading home retailers. M. Block manages distribution centers in Redlands, Calif., and Bedford Park.

Cicero Avenue Construction Projects

The Illinois Department of Transportation has started resurfacing Cicero Avenue from 95th Street to 127th Street and from 147th Street to 175th Street.

Milling and resurfacing work began Monday and is scheduled to end on Sept. 7. There will be intermittent lane closures in Oak Lawn, Alsip, Midlothian, Oak Forest and Country Club Hills.

Cicero already is reduced to one lane in each direction for bridge work at the Cal-Sag Channel just south of 127th Street. That project is expected to last through August.

There will be additional lane closures when work begins later this spring on the CSX Railroad overpass just south of 115th Street. That project is expected to last until mid-July.

IDOT reminds motorists to anticipate delays and allow extra time for trips through these areas.

Dunkin’ is Hiring in Indiana

Dunkin’ Donuts is holding a Career Fair tomorrow from 1-4 p.m. at its Merrillville, Ind., location at 2050 W. 81st Avenue.

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 http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Central Collision Acquires Phase 1

Central Collision Center has acquired Phase 1 Coach Works in Tinley Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Mokena-based Central Collision Center Inc. has acquired Phase 1 Coach Works at 18040 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

The new location will be the seventh for the collision repair chain owned by Michael Caruso.

The 20,000-square-foot center in Tinley Park was owned by Jack and Monika Ditmars. Central will retain the facility’s 13 employees.

“This acquisition continues our commitment to the south suburban community and the growth of the Central Collision family,” Caruso, president and CEO of Central Collision, said in a news release. “We will continue to develop high-quality repair centers to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our goal is to improve the repair process for our customers.”

Central Collision operates five traditional repair facilities in Peotone, Mokena, Crete, New Lenox and Oak Forest. The company also operates one rapid repair facility, called Central Express, in Oak Forest.

For more information, visit http://www.centralcollision.com/ or their Facebook page.

Matteson Best Buy Closing

Electronics and appliance retailer Best Buy announced over the weekend that it would be closing its store at 4707 Lincoln Mall Dr. in Matteson as part of its plan to shutter 50 stores nationwide.

The store is expected to close within the next month.

Health & Wellness Fair Coming to Oak Lawn

More than two dozen health and wellness related businesses and organizations will have booths at this year’s Health & Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday at the Senior Center, 5330 W. 95th St. The fair is free and open to all. For information, call the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce at 708-424-8300.

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.

Kup a Joe Café to Open in Frankfort

Kup a Joe Cafe is opening Monday in Frankfort.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Jim Garofalo says his decision to open a new restaurant in Frankfort was an easy one, “I missed it.”

Garofalo has been out of the game since he sold the original Egg and I in Chicago Heights to his son in 1996. Another son owns the Egg and I in Tinley Park.

“This is my first venture since I sold the Egg and I to my son.”

Garofalo and his wife, Stacey, will be hands-on owners when they open the Kup of Joe Café at 6 a.m. Monday in the former Plaza Café location at 41 Old Frankfort Way, which closed in January.

“She’ll be running the front end and I’ll be everywhere else.”
 
“This is a nice location,” he said. “The community has shown a lot of interest in the reopening.”

Garofalo said he did some remodeling inside such as painting.

“When painting, I took down pictures of servicemen that had been on the wall,” he said. “If anyone hung up a picture and wants its back, stop in and see me.”

Garofalo said the menu would be breakfast and lunch items. “We’ll have fancy French toast and some specials.”

Kup of Joe initially will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The patio will be open weather permitting, he said.

Garofalo said he eventually would be offering local delivery. “After we get off the ground,” he said.

For information, call 815-464-0909.

Designers Show Off Fancy Glasses in Oak Lawn

Complete Vision Care, 6209 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn, is taking a page out of the bridal industry handbook by hosting its own designer trunk show on Saturday.

“Normally, we carry what we think people will want,” said Dr. Sandra Bury, owner of Complete Vision Care. “The trunk show will be a fun experience for someone looking for something unusual and different.”

“If you have a certain look in mind, this is going to be the event for you,” said Bury, who started at Complete Vision Care in 1989 and took ownership in 2002.

“This will be a perfect way to shop for sunglasses,” she said. “A lot of doctors don’t offer much variety for sunglasses.”

“We will have several complete designer lines at the show,” said Bury. Designers coming on Saturday include Tiffany, Coach, D&G and Michael Kors.

“The Tiffany frames feature Swarovski crystal,” she said.

Bury said there will be doctors on duty to perform eye exams or customers can bring in their prescriptions.

“We will give a 20 percent discount for any purchases on Saturday,” Bury said. “We’re also raffling off an iPad2 and gift bags.”

Bury said her practice has been around since before 1951 and the trunk show is just a way for her to have some fun with her clients, some of whom go back that far.

“I’ve practiced all over and chose to live, work and shop in Oak Lawn,” she said. “I love this community.”

The trunk show may just be the beginning.

“I’m thinking we might have a ladies night with chocolates, wine and massages.”

The trunk show starts at 11 a.m. and runs to 2 p.m. “We’re extending our hours for the show. It will be three hours of craziness, I’m sure.”

For information, call 708-423-2500 or visit their website.

Pub Crawl is Saturday

Pete Mitchell’s Bar and Grill, 21000 Frankfort Square Road in Frankfort, along with Bud Light is sponsoring the inaugural Southwest Fun Pub Crawl from 6-11 p.m. Saturday. Crawlers will start at Pete Mitchell’s and also visit the Wild Rover and Old Plank Trail Tavern (Gracie’s) in Frankfort, Post Game Pub in Mokena and the Sweet Spot in Tinley Park. Cost is $20 per person and includes transportation via bus and a T-shirt. For information, call 815-464-8100.

Tax Time is Pizza Time

Old Town Pizza Company in Orland Park is helping ease the bite from the tax man. From now till Wednesday, April 18, you can get any large pizza with up to four toppings for only $10.40. Order online or call 708-478-7488 and use promo code 625.

Huck Finn Reopens With New Look

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

The Huck Finn restaurant at 10501 S. Cicero Ave. reopened Monday after being closed for a few weeks for remodeling.

“We have a new color scheme, new tile, new wallpaper, new tables and booths,” said general manager George Hrysikos.

“We still have some details on the outside to take care,” he said. “Eventually, we’ll do some remodeling at our other two locations, too.”

Hrysikos said Huck Finn is still open 24 hours and still has its customized jumbo doughnuts available.

McDonald’s Grand Re-opening

The McDonald’s restaurant at 801 E. 162nd St. in South Holland will hold its grand re-opening and ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The restaurant recently underwent a major remodeling.

Orland Library Hosts Business Unwrapped

The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., will host its Business Unwrapped session on Friday, April 13, at 11:45 a.m.

This month’s topic is its annual social media wrap-up. Find out how using blogs, Twitter and Facebook are just a few of the ways that you can let your customers know about your latest sales promotion or newest products. Bring your lunch and learn.

A look at new businesses coming into town and a fond farewell to those that have, for whatever reason, called it quits.

Red Velvet Closed

We’re catching up on this one. The Red Velvet Lounge at 11011 Southwest Highway in Palos Hills closed back in early February.

Presence Health Announces New Head of Continuum of Care

Mokena-based Resurrection Healthcare and Provena Healthcare, now joined as Presence Health, has appointed Connie March as President and CEO of its Continuum of Care.

The new Continuum includes a range of care, services, and support options that include a long-term acute care hospital, private duty home care, home health agencies, independent and assisted living campuses, adult and child day care centers, sub-acute/skilled nursing facilities, hospices, home and community based services, and long term care pharmacies that touch the lives of more than 5,000 persons daily.

March has served as the head of the continuum of Provena Health and its predecessor organizations since 1985, leading their operations in both Illinois and Indiana.

"I am so pleased to be a part of Presence Health and proud of our Continuum of Care services," said March. "We support patients through every stage of their life and their health, always keeping the focus on patient and family centered care."

For information, visit www.provena.org/lifeconnections and http://www.seniors.reshealth.org/.

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 http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Moo & Oink Makes a Comeback

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Fans of Moo & Oink who lamented the closings of the chain’s stores last year, including one in Hazel Crest, can once again find their favorite hamburger patties and hot links in stores across the Southland.

Best Chicago Meat Co., which bought the brand’s name, logo, characters, jingle and recipes at auction in December, has recently started selling Moo & Oink brand meats at Certified, 118 E. Jackson St. in Joliet; Michael’s Fresh Market, 856 S. Route 59 in Naperville; Ultra, 13001 S. Ashland Ave. in Calumet Park; Harvey Fresh Market, 14861 Dixie Highway in Harvey; Walt's Foods, 16145 State St. in South Holland; and Walt's Foods, 2345 183rd St. in Homewood.

The company also said Moo & Oink products will be coming soon to select Jewel locations, more Ultra locations, and Food 4 Less and Strack & Van Til locations.

For a complete list of current and coming locations, visit the Moo & Oink Facebook page.

Southwest Community Services Open House

Southwest Community Services, 6775 Prosperi Drive in Tinley Park, is hosting an Open House and Business After Hours sponsored by BMO Harris Bank from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April12, for the Chicago Southland, Mokena, Orland Park and Tinley Park chambers of commerce.

Refreshments will be provided by Crazy Fingers Catering, Polonia Catering and Dove Chocolate Discoveries.

RSVP to Kelli Cody at SCS at 708-429-1260 ext. 1263 or via email at kcody@swcsinc.org.

Discover Tinley Expo is Saturday

Meet businesses and organizations from Tinley Park at the Discover Tinley Community Awareness Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14 at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

The annual expo is free and showcases the community's businesses, non-profit organizations and government services. This family-friendly, free event also features entertainment, food samples and free giveaways at many of the booths.

This year's attractions include:

• Expanded format
• Continuous entertainment with music and dance from local groups
• Children's entertainment featuring face painting, balloon artists and more
• Food samples from some of Tinley Park's finest restaurants

Marquette Bank to Offer Scholarships

Marquette Bank, a locally-owned neighborhood bank, has announced 55 local high schools have been selected to participate in the 2012 Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, which has a 46-year tradition of providing scholarships to graduating seniors from neighborhoods near Marquette Bank’s 24 branch locations.

The scholarships are available to students who demonstrate financial need, maintain at least a B average and have an outstanding record of community service.

Since 1967, more than $2.3 million has been awarded to more than 1,281 high school students.

The 2012 scholarship amount is $2,500. Scholarship recipients are selected by their school’s principal or guidance counselors and are recognized at an awards ceremony attended by friends and family. The scholarship can be used to cover expenses at any higher education program including: four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational training or trade schools. To apply, students from participating schools can pick up an application in the guidance counselor’s office.

Southland schools participating in the program include:

• Alan B. Shepard High School
• Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
• Andrew High School
• Brother Rice High School
• Carl Sandburg High School
• Dwight D. Eisenhower High School
• Evergreen Park High School
• Lemont High School
• Leo Catholic High School
• Lincoln-Way Central High School
• Maria High School
• Marist High School
• Morgan Park High School
• Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
• Mount Assisi Academy
• Mount Carmel High School
• Oak Forest High School
• Oak Lawn Community High School
• Providence Catholic High School
• Queen of Peace High School
• Reavis High School
• Richards High School
• St. Ignatius College Prep.
• St. Laurence High School
• St. Rita of Cascia High School
• Tinley Park High School

For information on the Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit www.emarquettebank.com/about_foundation.cfm.

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 http://www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com/.

Palermo’s Reopens in New Location in Orland Park

Palermo's opened last week at 15832 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Palermo’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, which recently closed its location at 11255 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park, reopened on Friday in its new location at 15832 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park.

The new location offers carryout, delivery and catering and has a history of pizza making being home to several pizzerias over the years including Pizza Trio and Little Town Pizza.

Hours for the new location will mirror those of its location in Tinley Park, 3-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3-10 p.m. on Fridays, 1-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-9 p.m. on Sundays.

For information, call 708-349-9400 or visit its website or its Facebook page.

Another restaurant in the same retail strip, Chicago Taste Gyros closed recently at 15880 S. Wolf Road.

Rent-a-Center Coming to Tinley

Workers have begun transforming the former Hollywood Video store at 17129 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park into a Rent-a-Center store and an adjoining small office unit.

Home Show Coming to Orland

Georgio’s Comfort Inn, 8800 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills, will host the Home Show on April 14-15.

The show is free and guests will get the chance to see the latest in home remodeling and repair products and services.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

For information, call 630-385-4000 or visit http://www.chicagohomeshow.net/.

$11 Dinners at Jenny’s Steak House

Jenny’s Steak House at 5800 W. 111th St. in Chicago Ridge and Jenny’s at 191 South, 10160 W. 191st St. in Mokena are celebrating the restaurant’s 11th anniversary this month with $11 dinners from 3-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

There are 13 entrees on the $11 menu including Prime Rib Roast, Top Butt Sirloin, Pepper Rubbed London Broil, Porter House Pork Chop, 2/3 Slab Baby Back Ribs, Combo ½ Slab Ribs and Jumbo Shrimp, Fried Jumbo Shrimp, Tilapia Italiano, and Fresh Salmon, and select daily specials.

Ultra Foods Coming to Crestwood

Work is continuing on converting the former Dominick's Finer Foods in Crestwood into an Ultra Foods store.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Indiana-based supermarket chain Strack and Van Til is working on opening a new Ultra Foods grocery store in the former Dominick’s Finer Foods at 13180 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood.

The company had been shooting for a March opening, but that didn’t happen because of the amount of work involved in converting the store.

Work has taken longer than expected, said Crestwood village services director Bill Graffeo, because Dominick’s “took everything” when the grocery store chain abandoned the store about five years ago.

An employee at the Ultra store in Calumet Park said she heard the store should be opening in June or July.

Strack has been working for months on remodeling and modernizing the store, which would be the only true supermarket in the village.

Graffeo said groceries are available now at the Super Walmart and Target stores.

The company is now taking applications at the store and online. When open, the store is expected to employ about 50 employees.

Hester to Visit Chicago Ridge

Chicago Bears wide receiver and return specialist Devin Hester will be signing autographs and posing for photos from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow at Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall.

Women’s Apparel Store Opens at Chicago Ridge

Body Central, an apparel store that caters to young women, opened Friday at Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall.

The store is giving away tote bags with any purchase of $50 or more.

Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information, call 708-422-0395 or visit the company website at http://www.bodyc.com/.

New Look for Batteries Plus

The Batteries Plus store at 16205 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park has been remodeled and now also carries a full line of light bulbs for all kinds of fixtures and uses.

Plaza Jeweler Has New Home

Syman Jewelers, one of the Orland Plaza businesses that was forced to relocate, held its grand opening over the weekend at its new digs at 9428 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park. The new location has all of the previous services as well as a stained glass section.

Free Subway

At participating Subway shops in the Southland, you can get a free 6-inch sub sandwich when you buy one before 9 a.m. through the month of April. This offer is good on all of their sandwiches.

Plush Horse Now Open in Tinley

The Plush Horse in Tinley Park is now open.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The second location for the Plush Horse ice cream parlor opened a couple of weeks ago at 7903 W. 171st St. in the Tinley Downs Plaza in Tinley Park.

“Business has been pretty good,” said Mary Ellen Rydberg, whose husband Steve is the son of Ann Rydberg, who owns the original Plush Horse in Palos Park.

“We have cupcakes and a sweet section in front of the store, with carmel corn and gummi candy,” said Rydberg. “Our ice cream cupcakes, pies and cakes have been pretty popular, so far.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, but that may change. “We’ll probably extend our hours to 10 p.m. for the summer,” she said.

For information, call 708-444-1800.

Tollway Director to Address Chamber

Kristi Lafleur, executive director of the Illinois Tollway Authority, will be the guest speaker at the monthly Regional Consensus Luncheon of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, on Monday, April 9, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

Lafleur will give an update on the tollway including the Tri-State Tollway Interstate 294/Interstate 57 interchange project.

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. For information and reservations, call the chamber at 708-957-6950 or visit http://www.chicagosouthland.com/.

Boutique Hotel Planned for Homewood

Claude Gendreau, who acquired the Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood in 2009, has announced plans to turn a branch of Great Lakes Bank into what he called a “boutique hotel” to service guests attending wedding receptions at the country club and other corporate clients.

Plans call for Gendreau to acquire the bank branch at Ridge Road and Martin Avenue in downtown Homewood and to spend as much as $4 million to convert the building into a hotel with 35-45 rooms. The new hotel is expected to be open for business by the fall of 2013.

The bank branch will close in June and operations there and its seven employees would be consolidated at its other Great Lakes Bank branch in the village, which would be renovated.

99-cent Iced Tea at Dunkin

Participating Dunkin’ Donut locations are offering any size iced tea for 99 cents through the month of April.

Fairplay Foods Moving into Oak Lawn

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Supermarket choices in Oak Lawn, which took a beating in recent months with the closings of the Oak Lawn Fresh Market at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue and the Dominick’s Finer Foods at 87th Street and Cicero, will pick up with the coming addition of Fairplay Foods, a neighborhood supermarket chain with seven locations across the Southland.

“We’re celebrating,” said Fairplay’s Mike Kozlowski, Vice President of Retail Operations and a partner in the business, which will be moving in to the former Dominick’s at 87th Street.

“We had a nice meeting with town officials and some of them knew us from shopping at our store in Worth,” he said.

“We’re not sure when we’ll be ready to open,” said Kozlowski. “We are redoing the store entirely. We’re going to give it a new look. We have to bring in all new equipment.”

Kozlowski said when ready, the new Fairplay will feature a bakery and hot food department, expanded produce and deli departments as well as the company’s trademark fresh meat department.

“We concentrate on our fresh meat department,” Kozlowski said. “It’s one of the things we’re known for; great quality.”

“We are a neighborhood store,” Kozlowski said. “Unlike some of the big box supermarkets, we know what our clients are looking for and we want to give them what they are looking for.”

The Oak Lawn store will be almost 52,000 square feet, which would make it one of the bigger stores for the 40-year-old chain.

Fairplay has three locations in Chicago as well as suburban locations in Hickory Hills, Worth, Markham and Dolton.

For information, visit http://www.fairplayfoods.com/.

New Nail Salon Opens in Mokena

Kal Nails Spa opened a few weeks ago at 10148 W. 191st St. in the space next door to 191 South in Mokena.

The salon offers manicures, pedicures and similar salon services. On its website, the salon says that one thing that sets it apart from other nail salons is that all of its specialists speak English so a customer can relate exactly what kind of service is being requested. It also will take customers as young as 5 years old.

The salon is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, call 708-478-6285, or visit its Facebook page or its website.

Farmer Agent Moves into City

Jose Saldiver recently moved his Farmers Insurance office from 7236 W. Benton Drive in Frankfort Square to 5215 S. Archer Ave. in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community. The phone number is still 708-263-4493.

His office manager said the move made sense because the vast majority of their customers were from the city’s Southwest Side.

Blissful Banana Café Now Open

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

With lengthy construction delays finally behind them, Cyndi and Dennis De Zutter will open the doors today on their Blissful Banana Café at 15447 S. 94th Avenue in Orland Park.

The couple from Orland Hills originally intended to open their gourmet coffee shop and café in early January, but construction and other delays made that impossible.

They passed their village inspection last week and opened their doors at 7 a.m. Monday in a so-called soft opening.

Cyndi De Zutter said they would schedule a grand opening for later in the month.

In an earlier interview, De Zutter said everything on the menu was going to be made in-house and good for you.

“We’re steering toward healthy,” she said. “We won’t have any fryers and all of our lunch meats will be nitrate-free.”

De Zutter said the café will feature gourmet coffee, scones, muffins, side salads and a frozen concoction called a Banana Whip.

“We use pure bananas that are whipped into a custard-like soft ice cream,” she said. “Everyone who tries it will love it.”

The café will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, call 708-349-9600 or visit their Facebook page.

Paula Deen’s Kitchen Opens at Casino

Southern celebrity chef Paula Deen’s Kitchen will hold its grand opening on Thursday at Harrah’s Joliet Casino.

The restaurant and adjoining retail store have been open for a couple of weeks in redesigned space at the casino.

The restaurant features buffet stations and an ala carte menu modeled after some of Deen’s other eateries including Lady & Sons, Deen Brother’s Barbeque and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House.

For reservations, call 815-740-7800.

Weenie Wednesdays

This one is a favorite of my 5-year-old grandson. The Creamery is again offering 99-cent hot dogs on Weenie Wednesdays at all six locations in the Southland.