
Comings & Goings: Tona’s Pupusas begins new season at Summit Park
By BobÊ Bong
Tona’s Pupusas, a Salvadoran restaurant that has
operated at Summit Park in Summit for the past two summers, has reopened for the season. They are offering carryout only for the time being.
The eatery specializes in pupusas, a kind of thick
tortilla stuffed with a variety of savory fillings such as chicken, cheese or
beans. They are topped with curtido, a pickled kind of slaw, and tomato salsa.
The tortilla is usually folded over and eaten like a taco.
Owner Tona Mejia hails from El Salvador,
where pupusas are commonly sold by street vendors. She and other
family members staff the restaurant.
For those with less adventuresome tastes, Tona’s also serves
tamales, corn in a cup, hot dogs, hamburgers and fries. Drinks include pop,
water, bottled beverages and homemade horchatas.
For information, call 708-556-8791.
Talerico-Martin store open again
The Talerico-Martin retail store at 7320 W. 63rdÊSt.
in Summit that had closed temporarily because of the pandemic reopened to the
public last Monday.
Pier 1 to close all stores
Pier 1 Imports announced last week that it intends to shut
down all of its stores once the company is allowed to reopen after the lifting
of COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders.
The Texas-based company operates stores locally at Chicago
Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge, Ravinia Plaza in Orland Park and Brookside
Marketplace in Tinley Park.
The company had filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and
was seeking a buyer. Those efforts failed and the company decided to liquidate.
As part of the liquidation, the company intends to sell its
inventory and remaining assets, including its intellectual property and
e-commerce business.
Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer said, “We are grateful to our dedicated and hardworking
associates, millions of customers and committed vendors who have collectively
supported Pier 1 for decades. We deeply value our associates, customers,
business partners and the communities in which we operate, and this is not the
outcome we expected or hoped to achieve. This decision follows months of
working to identify a buyer who would continue to operate our business going
forward. Unfortunately, the challenging retail environment has been
significantly compounded by the profound impact of COVID-19, hindering our
ability to secure such a buyer and requiring us to wind down.”
Going out of business sales are expected to start once
stores are allowed to reopen.
Hoyne Savings, Loomis Federal to merge
Garfield Ridge-based Loomis Federal Savings and Loan
Association has announced that it will be merging with North Side-based Hoyne
Savings Bank to create a larger savings bank
that will have about $500 million is assets and $90 million in equity.
Hoyne, whose main office is in the Jefferson Park community
at 4786 N. Milwaukee Ave. will be the main institution that will retain its
mutual holding company form of ownership. Members at Loomis, 6350 W. 63rdÊSt.
will become members of Hoyne Savings.
Locally, Hoyne operates branch locations at 6858 S. Pulaski
Road in Chicago, 11139 S. Harlem Ave. in Worth and 4646 W. 103rdÊSt.
in Oak Lawn.
The merger is subject to regulatory approval, the approval
of the members of Loomis and is expected to close as early as the third quarter
of this year, according to a news release. The partnership will allow the
combined savings bank to increased lending capacity and a larger branch
network, the release said.
“This transaction is a merger of strong,
well-capitalized, customer-centric and highly respected institutions,”
Hoyne president Steven Rosenbaum said in the release. “Both Hoyne and
Loomis have a similar culture and take pride in our long traditions of
outstanding customer service and community involvement. We are very pleased to
have Loomis join with us.”
“This strategic partnership will expand resources to
the individuals and businesses in our market area. Hoyne and Loomis remain
committed to create superior and lasting banking relationships. In addition,
this merger will also expand the banks’ deposit and lending capabilities,
allowing us to better serve our customers,” Loomis president David Opas
said in the release.
Rosenbaum will continue to serve as the president and chief
operating officer of the bank while Opas will join various boards of directors
at Hoyne Savings.
Joey’s Red Hots opens patios
Joey’s Red Hots announced its outdoor patios are now open,
weather permitting, at its Orland Park location at 17400 Wolf Road and its
Morgan Park location at 11500 S. Western Ave. in Chicago.
The patio furniture has been set up so diners will be able to
observe social distancing protocols.
Olympic Star resumes service in Tinley Park
The venerable Olympic Star restaurant in Tinley Park has
resumed curbside pickup service at 7100 W. 171stÊSt.
The Greek diner, which has been serving
breakfast, lunch and since 1978, is noted for its soups.
The eatery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To place an order, call 708-532-8900. Once you arrive,
please call and tell them where you are parked and someone will bring your
order out to you.
Owners said online ordering and delivery is coming soon.
Square Links golf course opens in Frankfort
It took a little longer than most area golf courses to
reopen, but the Frankfort Square Park District’s Square Links course welcomed
duffers back on Monday.
The course on St. Francis Road is taking tee times and payments
remotely over the phone. The park district said it was working on an online
program that should become available in a few weeks, which will allow golfers
to book a tee time 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the district’s website.
Commander offers full service in Munster
The Commander Restaurant has resumed full, dine-in service
at 745 Ridge Road in Munster, Ind., thanks to that state’s lifting of
restrictions on restaurants.
Owners Danny and Bobby Sirounis are still taking
precautions.
The restaurant will only allow 50 percent capacity.
Customers are asked to observe social distancing while waiting for a table. All
servers will be wearing masks. Staff will be sanitizing every menu, table and
hot spots throughout the day.
Carryouts remain available.
Hours as of Monday are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday
and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
For information, call 219-836-4009.
If you see a new business in
town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at
[email protected] You can track business openings and closings athttp://bobbongonbusiness.com/
Local News

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