Comings & Goings: Halloween stores are in full swing

biz halloween stores 2022

By Bob Bong Frost is in the air, pumpkin spice is everywhere and spooky decorations have exploded in front yards across the Southland, which means it’s time for the seasonal Halloween stores to start popping up like zombies from the boneyard. Spirit Halloween, a seasonal retailer that operates in empty storefronts in the weeks leading up…

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Glendora Banquet Hall closes as owners retire

biz glendora house closes

By Bob Bong The Glendora Banquet Hall closed August 17 in Chicago Ridge after longtime owners Stanley and Mary Bielanski decided to retire. “They want to enjoy life,” said their son, Stan Jr., explaining why the couple decided to close the restaurant at 10225 S. Harlem Ave. after operating it for 31 years. He and…

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Comings & Goings: Butera closing Frankfort supermarket

biz butera frankfort

By Bob Bong Elgin-based Butera Finer Foods, which reacquired its former supermarket at 20825 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort in 2018, announced the store would be closing sometime in October. The family-owned Butera chain took over the former Walt’s Food Center on Nov. 11, 2018, and christened the store a Butera Fruit Market. Walt’s had…

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Arrenello’s Pizza celebrates 50 years

biz arrenellos 50th

By Bob Bong Fifty years ago, Rich Matokar had to choose between buying a house or opening a business. He chose to quit his job at U.S. Steel South Works and open Arrenello’s Pizza in Glenwood and the rest, as they say, is history. “I did it on a whim,” he said. “A friend was…

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Comings & Goings: Buffalo Wild Wings Go opens in Hodgkins

dvn biz BBW Go for 7 28

By Bob Bong A new concept by Buffalo Wild Wings is now open in southwest suburban Hodgkins. Buffalo Wild Wings Go, a scaled down version of Buffalo Wild Wings that emphasizes carry outs and delivery, opened last week at 9404 Joliet Road in an outlot at the Quarry Mall. The Hodgkins location is only the…

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Comings & Goings: Macy’s to open 2 new stores in Evergreen Park

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By Bob Bong Macy’s has announced it will be opening its first dual Market by Macy’s and Macy’s Backstage stores at the Evergreen Plaza, located at 9700 S. Western Ave. Both stores will offer unique shopping experiences with Market by Macy’s offering customers the latest fashion trends and Macy’s Backstage appealing to those on the…

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Cook County 4-H Fair on Saturday

cook county fair 2022

By Bob Bong Did you know that Cook County has a county fair? That’s right, the same kind of county fair we are all aware of with projects by members of the Cook County 4-H, a parade of clubs, and even a livestock judging. The Cook County Fair was moved to Toyota Park in Bridgeview…

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Rainbow Cone goes mobile with summer locations

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By Bob Bong Venerable Rainbow Cone in recent years has stretched its reach beyond the Beverly neighborhood where it has ruled as the premier ice cream destination for almost a century. Brick-and-mortar locations can now be found in Lombard, Darien, Lakemoor and Skokie. In addition, the company began experimenting with mobile sales in 2020 when…

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Comings & Goings: Duke’s opens new drive-in Mokena 

dvn biz dukes cruise night 2022

By Bob Bong Duke’s Drive-In Mokena held its grand opening last month and a huge crowd of fans showed up to greet Bill Humphrey upon the return. Upwards of 100 cars packed the parking lot on June 17 behind the restaurant at 19990 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena and the adjoining parking lot of Belle…

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Comings & Goings: Dukes to finally re-open, in Mokena

biz dukes mokena location

By Bob Bong When Dukes Drive-In closed its longtime home in Bridgeview in 2019 to make way for a Panera Bread, people wanted to know where the restaurant would be relocating and how soon before it was open again. There were all kinds of rumors. None came true. Until now. Dukes Drive-In will be reopening…

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