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I have more than 40 years in the news business and have successfully evolved into an electronic journalist. Comings & Goings and Southland Savvy track news about businesses in Chicago's Southland.

Fajitas opens fourth location in Mokena


ByBob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant, a local chain based in Countryside, opened its fourth location a few weeks ago in a strip mall at 88th Avenue and 191st Street in Mokena.

Owner Walter Narsolis opened his first location in Countryside before branching out and opening Fajitas locations in Tinley Park in 2010 and Frankfort in 2012.

The newest location is at 19118 S. 88th Avenue in the former Chef Paul's steakhouse that closed several years ago.

The restaurants specialize in chicken and steak fajitas but offer a full menu with Mexican dishes such as burritos, tacos and tamales. They all offer beer, wine and margaritas.

Narsolis said the restaurants are family friendly and he has a kids menu for younger guests.
The Mokena location has a dining room and a separate door for takeout orders. Delivery may be offered at a later date.

Narsolis has three video gaming machines at his Tinley and Countryside locations and may add them to the Mokena restaurant at a later date. Video gaming is not allowed in Frankfort.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call the restaurant at 708-336-3750 or visit Fajitas Mokena, 

Studio 63 closes in Summit

Studio 63 held a farewell party on Saturday after losing its lease at its longtime home in Summit.

"We started having landlord issues about a year ago," said co-owner Nick Goutos. "They doubled the lease amount, which we agreed to pay, but then kept changing the terms of the lease. You could say they dealt unfairly with us."

A call to Arrow Real Estate in LaGrange, which is the leasing agent for the property, was not returned.

Goutos said his family had leased the building at 7225 W. 63rd St. in Summit since his father George Goutos built it 50 years ago in a land-lease deal with the property owner.

The building was home for several years to the Prime N Tender steakhouse.

For a short time it was a country bar called Kickers Corral. For the last 17 years, it has been a nightclub called Studio 63.

Goutos owns the business with his brother Jerry Goutos.

"We are still looking to relocate somewhere in Summit with the same name," Goutos said. "If we can find the right venue."

He said the farewell party would run from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Dec. 12. He said some of the more popular DJs who have played music at the club would make a final appearance.

"I expect a sold out crowd," he said. "In excess of 1,000 people."

There will be an auction at the club at 10 a.m. Tuesday, to sell everything in the club. Items for sale include electronics, glassware, furniture and liquor. For information, call 847-854-9913.

Mariano's now hiring for Orland store

Mariano's Fresh Market, which is expected to open early next year at Orland Crossing shopping center at 14225 S. 95th Avenue in Orland Park, has opened a recruiting center for the 400 or so employees the supermarket expects to hire to staff the store.

The center is located at 14432 S. John Humphrey Drive and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Interested applicants can also apply online at Mariano's Orland Park.

The store, which is owned by the Roundy's chain based in Milwaukee, is looking for both full-time and part-time workers for such positions as baker, cake decorator, cashier, catering, floral designer and general staffers.

Kroger plans to buy out Roundy’s grocery stores, including the Mariano’s chain, for $3.60 a share, a total purchase price of about $178 million, the company announced last month.

The company is open to experienced workers as well as entry-level employees.

Sanfratello's closed in Tinley Park

Sanfratello's restaurant at 17823 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park has been closed since mid-September because of a sprinkler leak, according to messages on the eatery's Facebook page.

The most recent message from the restaurant to customers was posted Oct. 22: "We are sad to say that we will be closed while we repair water damage from a sprinkler system malfunction. Please continue to check back, as our Facebook page will be updated when we have a re-opening day in sight. We appreciate your loyal patronage and can't wait to serve you all again soon!"

Sanfratello's locations in Highland and Dyer in northwest Indiana remain open for business.

The original Sanfratello's in Glenwood closed in April 2014.

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.com