Comings & Goings
Owner dispels rumors of Royalberry closing
By Bob Bong Frank Salman, owner of Royalberry Waffle House and Restaurant in Palos Heights, has a simple message: “We’re not closed!” Salman said rumors have been rampant in the area that his restaurant of 17 years suddenly closed at the corner of 127th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. “We are not closed. We are going strong,”…
Read MoreExperienced bakers buy The Great American Bagel in Palos Heights
New owners nearly double the menu for breakfast, lunch By Cosmo Hadac When The Great American Bagel’s shop in Palos Heights changed hands late last year, the new owners who walked in the door weren’t exactly new. Manny Rios Sr. and his wife, Silvia, have nearly 50 years of combined experience in the bagel…
Read MoreComings & Goings: Smashburger opens Thursday in Orland Park
By Bob Bong Get ready Orland Park, you are about to be smashed. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt. In fact, you will probably enjoy it. Denver-based Smashburger will open its newest south suburban location on Thursday at 15061 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park near the new Raising Cane’s, Chipotle and Panera restaurants on the…
Read MorePlanet Fitness opens in Bridgeview
By Steve Metsch Calling it “a great addition to our community,” Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek and village trustees recently celebrated the grand opening of Planet Fitness. The state-of-the-art fitness center opened on Oct. 27 at 8741-51 S. Harlem Ave. “Planet Fitness’s decision to invest in this facility shows their strong commitment and belief in the economic stability and vitality…
Read MoreRestaurateur names new Palos Hills café for wife
By Bob Bong Walter Narsolis surprised his wife a few weeks ago when he converted one of his Fajitas Mexican restaurants into a new breakfast and lunch café and named it in her honor. “I sure surprised her,” Narsolis said. He closed the Fajitas location at 10296 S. 78th Avenue in Palos Hills near the Bridgeview…
Read MoreComings & Goings: USA Liquidators to open Friday in Hickory Hills
By Bob Bong USA Liquidators, a new store that features closeouts, overruns and stock from stores that went out of business, will open at noon on Friday at 8720 S. 88th Avenue in Hickory Hills. Owners Wally Aiyash and his brother Zeze have been in the real estate business for 30 years and have developed…
Read MoreComings & Goings: Raising Cane’s opens in Orland Park
By Bob Bong Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant opened the doors to its Orland Park location on Tuesday and it was an immediate hit. The restaurant was the first to open at 15011 S. LaGrange Road. It’s one of the restaurants going up on the former site of Toys R Us. It will feature indoor dining…
Read MoreAnother south suburban 5 Guys closes
Another 5 Guys Burgers and Fries has closed its doors for the last time in the south suburbs. The location at 15840 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park (in a former Ginos East pizzeria) closed at the beginning of August. No reason was given for the closing in the plaza that hosts a massive Home…
Read MoreComings & Goings: Bakers Square closes last south suburban location
Bakers Square, which once had several locations in the Chicago marketplace, has closed its last south suburban location, in Orland Park. Last year, before the pandemic hit, the chain closed without warning all but one of its south suburban locations from Lansing to Orland Park. Locations closed include 3545 Ridge Road in Lansing, 4839 W.…
Read MoreDick’s Sporting Goods to open Friday at Chicago Ridge Mall
By Bob Bong Dick’s Sporting Goods will open its newest Chicago-area store this week in the lower level of the former Carson’s store at Chicago Ridge Mall. “I think they will do gangbusters,” said Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar. He said the grand opening ribbon cutting at 9800 S. Ridgeland Ave. will be at 9…
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