Business Comings & Goings: Berkot's Foods Eyes Orland Site; Kids Hit the Streets in Downtown Tinley

Orland Park looks like it will be getting a new grocery store to replace Green Food and Produce, which closed earlier this year at 11333 W. 159th St. in the Wolf Crossing plaza at 159th and Wolf Road.

Mokena-based Berkot’s Super Foods has applied for building permits and the village is reviewing plans, Karie Friling, director of development services, said recently.

“It’s no secret,” she said.

Indeed not, I have received emails from a couple of readers asking me when Berkot’s was going to open.

For its part, Berkot’s is staying mum. I received an email recently from Luke Kotara at Berkot’s who said he would contact me when he could confirm the plan.

Berkot’s has a nice history of taking former supermarkets and breathing new life into them. They did it most recently this past summer in Lockport when they converted a former Sterk’s and Fairway Foods into the company’s 13th location.

Season of the Witch

Remember when Halloween was all about candy and carving pumpkins?

Those days are long gone. Halloween is now the second biggest retail season behind Christmas and several seasonal shops have opened in Orland Park in advance of next week’s holiday.

Spirit Halloween has set up shop in the former Borders store in Ravinia Plaza, Halloween City is occupying a space at 15852 S. LaGrange Road, and a Halloween Express is open at 7260 W. 159th St. in the Home Depot Plaza.

Celebrates Anniversary With Free Food

Chick-fil-A will celebrate its first anniversary at 15605 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park by giving away free chicken sandwiches from 6-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The eatery is also offering free kitchen tours from 2-4 p.m. Tour sign up is required.

The restaurant is also sponsoring a pumpkin contest with a Chick-fil-A theme. Pumpkins must be turned in to the store by 9 p.m. today. Winner will get Chick-fil-A free for a year. For information, call the store at 708-460-4663. Judging will be on Facebook.

Happy Halloween at

Simon Kidgets Club is hosting a free Halloween party for kids 3-8 at Orland Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event, presented by Dole, will include activities and games, crafts, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating through the mall. Dole will be handing out Real Fruit Bites sample. Free Trick-or-Treat Bags will also be distributed while supplies last.

Announces New Home

Orland Park Bakery, which is losing its longtime home at Orland Plaza, has finally announced it will be moving into new and larger digs at 14850 S. LaGrange Road next to Dania furniture.

“We’re very excited about moving there,” Dan Major said last week about the bakery’s new location. There’s plenty of parking there, and it’s easy to access both from LaGrange and Ravinia.”

See what Major had to say to Orland Patch editor Ben Feldheim about the move.

Café Gaston Ribbon Cutting

is unveiling its new look and menu to the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 14438 John Humphrey Drive in Orland Park.

The chamber asks that you note whether you plan to attend.

Halloween Kiddie Parade

The Oak Park Avenue Mainstreet Association is holding its 13th Annual Halloween Kiddie Parade and Party on Sunday, Oct. 30, from noon to 3 p.m. outside its office at 170th Street and Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley Park.

There will be a walking parade, trick-or-treating at local businesses, games, prizes, snacks and refreshments. Prizes will be awarded in “Best of” categories.

Businesses are invited to set up a table and pass out treats to the kids along with a coupon or promotional item to the parents. In past years, there have been 450-500 children, not including their parents, grandparents and pets. Go to www.opama.org to download an entry form.

Looking for more business news?

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bob@chicago-patch.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.