Longtime friends Tony Twohill and April France have wanted to open a business together for several years, but the timing has never been quite right. This spring, however, the pair began looking at the vacant spaces in Lemont’s Archview Plaza, located at 12420 S. Archer Ave. The plaza was everything they wanted as they started their new business venture—a family hair salon. Hair Clippers opened in Archview Plaza on July 16. The salon offers haircuts for men, women and children, as well as coloring and styling services, perms, conditioning treatments and waxing. Manicures and pedicures are …
Sweetwater Deli, the quaint café and grocery shop in downtown Lemont, will be featured Sunday on the popular WGN program "Chicago's Best." The deli, located at 316 Canal St., was one of several restaurants visited by "Chicago's Best" last month for an episode that will showcase the best of the Southwest suburbs. During the show, host Brittney Payton will show off Sweetwater's homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken salad and some of their popular sandwiches. The episode is set to air Sunday at 10 p.m. Annette Gioiosa and her husband Dan opened Sweetwater Deli in October 2010. The café menu …
After years of playing professional baseball and coaching at the collegiate level, Lemont resident Chris Knollin is taking on a new challenge, one he calls a "sports guy's dream job." In January, Knollin opened Next Level Training Academy, 12301 S. New Ave., in Lemont's Resicom Business Park. The 10,000-square-foot-facility offers fitness and athletic programs led by former professional athletes and certified trainers. Knollin, a three-year resident of Lemont, came up with the idea of starting a training academy after he was approached by his friend, who owns the Resicom park. The space now …
A Lemont-based theater group will debut a new stage this spring in the former Blockbuster Video location. NightBlue Performing Arts Company is set to open a small theater at 1232 State Street in May or June, according to co-founder Dave Walters. The company hopes to bring a number of live productions to Lemont—including dramas, musicals, comedies and improv. Plans are also in the works for a youth immersion program this summer. Walters, a Lemont resident, said NightBlue has been operating out of a small space on Holly Court since it was founded in 2005. Many of its early productions were put …
When brothers Kevin and Jeff Metz opened 3 Corners Grill and Tap in March 2010, the goal was simple: provide quality food at a fair price in a casual, comfortable environment. Two years later, their plan seems to have paid off. The Lemont restaurant has slowly built a loyal customer base of everyone from families to local golfers, Kevin Metz said. "There are some Friday nights when the wait is an hour long," he said. "We're incredibly lucky to have so much support from people in this area." To commemorate its second anniversary, 3 Corners has been offering various food and drink specials …
Renee Sokolis is a new mother – not of a child, but of a new website, 11 Eureka. “To say that I’m a little obsessed about it, like the whole getting the website going, is kind of an understatement,” the 29-year-old Lemont native said. “But I think when you love something and it’s your baby that’s what you do.” Launched this past August, 11 Eureka is an online store that features what Sokolis calls “indie, Bohemian and vintage-inspired” clothing and accessories that she handpicks. “I really want it to reflect the themes that I love – I love pattern, I love color, I love animals and I love …
Sweetwater Deli, the quaint café and grocery shop in downtown Lemont, will be visited this week by the popular WGN program "Chicago's Best." Owner Annette Gioiosa made the announcement on the Sweetwater Deli Facebook page Friday, and said the show plans to feature the deli's homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken salad and some of their popular sandwiches. Crews will be at the deli, 316 Canal St., from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 9. Gioiosa said customers are welcome to stop by during filming. "Please stop in and join us for this exciting event," she wrote. "We are very thankful for …
Chef John Yi and his wife, Carrie, have a passion for sushi—and they want their customers to love it, too. The couple opened Kitaro Grill and Sushi Lounge in Lemont in 2009 with hopes of sharing their love of Japanese food and culture. Earlier this month they celebrated the restaurant's third anniversary, and are now expanding their services to provide lessons on making sushi. For John Yi, a chef of nearly 30 years, Kitaro has been a labor of love. "He loves what he does, and he's very good," Carrie Yi says of her husband. Patch spoke with Carrie on Thursday about Kitaro's third anniversary, …
It's Valentine's Day, the biggest day of the year for the floral industry, and local florists have been working tirelessly for days to prepare. According to the National Retail Federation's 2012 Valentine's Day survey, U.S. consumers will spend about $1.8 billion on flowers this year. The average person will shell out $126—an 8.5-percent increase from 2011. On Monday afternoon, Patch stopped by four Lemont flower shops to get the scoop on their Valentine's Day specials and how owners have been getting ready for the big day. At Lange's Woodland Flowers, 219 Main St., owner Nancy Eriksen and …
Orange 13—Lemont's new, upscale restaurant and lounge—hosted about 100 guests for a swanky grand opening celebration Monday night. Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves, village officials and the Lemont Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Orange 13 to town with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and champagne toast. The event also featured special hors d'oeuvres and live music by vocalist Diva Montell. Orange 13, 14196 McCarthy Road, opened quietly Jan. 25, and business is now in full swing. The restaurant offers fusion cuisine and delicious cocktails from all over the world in a Las Vegas-inspired lounge …
Critter Cleaners, the pet grooming business formerly located in downtown Lemont, opened its doors at a new location on State Street on Monday, joining a new food and supply store. Kim Walter, owner of Critter Cleaners, moved from her former location, 170 Lemont St., to the Chipain's shopping plaza, 1120 State St., with hopes of seeing better foot traffic. She shares the space with All Pet Pantry, a new feed store specializing in all-natural products. "We're excited to finally move in and get our customers in here," Walter said. "Hopefully the new location, combined with the addition of the …
Business name: Ats-A-Nice Pizza & Pasta Address: 334 N. Independence Blvd. Owner’s name: Paul D. Heatherington, who lives in Lemont with his wife, Cathy, and his sons, Luke and Zak Phone number: 815-886-5200 Web site: www.atsanice.com Opening date: March 1, 1988 Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday; 10 am. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday Type of business: Pizzeria/Italian restaurant Q: How long have have you been in this line of work, and how did you get your start in the business? A: "Thirty-plus years. I worked as a bus boy, waiter, bartender …
A long-awaited upscale restaurant and lounge will open Wednesday evening in Lemont's Derby Plaza. Orange 13, 14196 McCarthy Road, will serve fusion cuisine from all over the world in a Las Vegas-inspired lounge environment. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday after months of preparation, owners said. Patch spoke with co-owner Christopher Dabek about why he and his business partners are so excited to bring this club vibe to Lemont. PATCH: What inspired you about the Vegas experience that you wanted to bring to Orange 13? DABEK: In Vegas, it’s the five-star restaurants inspired by live …
For the past decade, Lemont couple Gary and Sue Roy have turned their passion for antiques into a dream job.Last month, the Roys celebrated the 10th anniversary and grand re-opening of their store, Smokey Row Antiques, which is located at 112 Stephen St. in downtown Lemont. The store specializes in jewelry, specialty gifts and eclectic home decor. In addition, the Roys conduct estate sales and restore dolls and teddy bears.“I’ve had a passion for antiques since I was a child,” Sue Roy said. “So has Gary. We’ve both always been drawn to history and vintage items.”And the duo is always on the …
A downtown Lemont sporting goods store is under new ownership.The family-owned Eich’s Sports, which has two other Chicagoland locations, has taken the place of Main Street Sports.Like it’s predecessor, the store, located at at 216 Main St., carries much of the same merchandise and does customized screenprinting and embroidery. Eich’s, however, is also offering uniforms and a small selection Under Armour apparel, as well as sports equipment. Tracy Eich Mueller, who owns the business, is excited about the venture. The Lemont location joins the other Eich’s Sports stores in Plainfield and Coal …
When Lemont resident Marge Fox noticed her mother’s dementia and Alzheimer’s progressing at a rapid rate about two years ago, she became concerned.“She was throwing things away that shouldn't have been thrown away, waking up in the night and getting dressed because she thought it was morning,” Fox said. “My fear was I wouldn't hear her and she'd fall down the 12 stairs not remembering they were there.”Initially, Fox tried adult day care for her mother while she was at work.“But it got hard to get her up in the morning to get her ready and get me to work on time,” she said.Fox soon started …
After moving to Lemont from the south side of Chicago more than a decade ago, Jim Mandra found himself missing the pizza pies he grew up with.“I just started making my own pizza out of my house,” Mandra said. “Then one thing led to another and I kind of got into the business.”These days, he is owner and operator of Jimbo's Pizza at 12267 Walker Road, which recently won the Patch Business of the Year poll. Seven nominees were vying for the inaugural honor, all of whom were suggested by members of the community.Jimbo's Pizza nabbed 6,897 votes.Mandra said he is thrilled with the honor.“When I …
Kim Cochrane doesn’t know quite what to expect when she walks into work every day.But the owner of the upscale Lemont consignment boutique Déjá Vu Rack likes that.“It’s exciting for me,” she said. “I never know what’s coming in. I like to say, ‘We’re a new store every day.’”In November, Cochrane celebrated the shop’s one year anniversary in Lemont. The boutique is located at 1243 State St.Her clientele ranges in age from junior high students to senior citizens. Déjá Vu Rack carries pre-owned and new merchandise in sizes from 0 to 26.“We have something for every woman,” Cochrane said.With …
When Celina Mrozek moved to Lemont 10 years ago, she planned to return to her beloved church in Chicago every Sunday and keep close ties to the neighborhood of her youth. But the minute she walked in the door at SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, she knew she had found her true home. "It was Easter and we were standing in the doorway,” she said. “I saw the top of the church and never went back [to my old parish].” In fact, Mrozek has had several old friends move to Lemont since then. “It’s like home,” she said. “I wouldn’t move.” That’s good news for the many loyal Lemont customers she has …
These days, Lemont businesswoman Mary Ellen Troc is swapping her computer and file folders for tulle and satin.A legal assistant working in Chicago for the past 30 years, when Troc’s company was undergoing a transition, she decided she also needed a change.“I decided I wanted to do something else instead of sitting behind a desk typing something,” she said.Recently she opened up Martellen's Dress & Bridal Boutique, 220 Main St., in the former home of All About the Dress.“I’ve always loved retail and fashion,” Troc said. “I think I have a good eye for it. And I love to dress people up.”Her …
