Business Comings & Goings: Chuck's House of Magic Evolves; Capri Express Closes in Tinley

Chuck’s House of Magic may have sold its last deck of trick cards but the longtime shop has not pulled a disappearing act.

Call it a business evolution.

The south suburban fixture was most recently at 18725 Dixie Highway in Homewood. Though some things about it remain the same—the phone and fax numbers, for instance—its focus has changed. The company, owned by Garrett and Joyce Gruberman, is expanding its popular balloon and event décor side.

“Half of the business remains the same,” said Garrett Gruberman, who became co-owner with his mom, Joyce, after his dad, Chuck, retired in 2005. “We’re just getting more into that end of the business.”

The Nov. 1 change from Chuck’s House of Magic to the Garrett Design Group was “bittersweet,” he said, noting that the store has survived numerous moves, including a failed balloon venture in Orland Park and a devastating fire.

“One woman came here crying,” he said. “She said she was here the day the store opened. She was very emotional. I almost wanted to say, ‘We’re staying open.’ “

Although the new company will emphasize its balloon and event décor along with services such as lighting, backdrops and draping, it will continue to offer to local residents the services they have come to associate with Chuck’s.

“If someone local wants a balloon pickup, we’ll still do it,” Gruberman, 29, said. “They just need to call ahead to make sure someone is here. We won’t be staffed like the store was.”

“We’ll also continue to rent mascot costumes and seasonal costumes like Santa and the Easter Bunny,” he said.

The company will also keep providing entertainers such as clowns, face painters, balloon twisters and magicians to local businesses— Denny’s in Mokena features a magician or balloon twister on most weekends.

But the transition was inevitable, Gruberman said.

“For 25 years, the balloon and event décor side of the business was always expanding,” he said. “We go everywhere. I’m going to Denver for a New Year’s Eve show for a band that used us here in Chicago.”

Clients have included the City of Chicago, which asked Chuck’s to decorate Daley Plaza when the city won the right to bid for the Summer Olympics; Columbia College and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Gruberman is bracing for the loss next summer of his business partner, who will join her husband in retirement.

“Mom plans to retire in June, but said she’ll still be around if we need an extra set of hands,” he said. “And my wife has joined the business helping with designs.”

As for Chuck?

“He showed up to turn off the neon sign for the last time and to scrape the name off of the door,” Gruberman said with a laugh. “He’s 70 now and likes to work once in a while, if it’s not too hard.”

For information, call 708-798-2111, or email info@garrettdesigngroup.com or visit Garrett Design Group online.

Rises from the Ashes

Eva’s Bridals in Oak Lawn, which was destroyed , reopened last week at 5269 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.

In the year since the fire, the shop has been working out of rented storefronts and opened a satellite store in .

For information, call the shop at 708-422-5599 or visit http://www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com/

IDES Veterans Job Fair

The state will hold a Veterans Job Fair from 10 am. To 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at the , 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. For information, call Bob Smith at 630-234-1830.

Car Care Clinic and Business After Hours

, 9544 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, will host an Business After Hours and a Car Care Clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 4:30 p.m.

Guests will learn what needs to be done to keep your car running through the winter.

RSVP to the chamber at 708-349-2972 or online.

Santa Now at

Santa has arrived at Orland Square Mall and is seeing children daily in the lower level Sears Court. Keepsake pictures are available for purchase.

Santa’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Capri Express Closes in Tinley Park

The Capri Express restaurant at 16703 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park has closed only a few months after opening. A sign on the door says the location is temporarily closed for renovation. There’s also a notice from the Village of Tinley Park that the restaurant may not reopen without proper permits and an inspection. Calls to the company's Burr Ridge location were not returned.

Yogurt Shop Opens at

Bare Berry, a frozen yogurt shop, has opened at Orland Square Mall in the lower level JCPenney Court. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, visit http://bareberryyogurt.com.

Free Fall Wine Tasting

, 8600 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, will host a wine tasting on Saturday, Nov. 12, from noon to 5 p.m.

Visitors will sample wines from around the globe.

Special guests will be Pastry Chef Kimberly Zarobsky from Sweet as Cake, who will be showcasing her liquor-infused cupcakes; Andrea Turner from Tassos Gourmet Foods, who will feature olives and spreads for the holidays; Nicole Shepherd from Scentsy Products, who will have a sample of fine fragrances.

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.