Comings & Goings: Caribou Coffee Closes; New Owners for Dickey's

closed its location near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue on July 8 with little notice. The company closed its shop in Homewood last month in much the same way. They were the company’s only Southland locations.

The closest locations for the nation’s second largest coffee chain are now Willowbrook and LaGrange.

Calls and an email to the company offices in Minnesota were not returned but speculation has been that the locations were closed because neither one had a drive-up window.

Calls to the management team at the Tinley Park Plaza shopping center also were not returned.

A few years ago, Starbucks closed a nearby retail strip location after opening a new location – with a drive-up window – across the street.

New Owners Take On Dickey's BBQ in Orland

Sonny DeWitt and Joe Pirelli have taken over as owners of the

DeWitt and Pirelli took ownership of their second Dickey's location at 15110 S. LaGrange Road on July 6. They have owned a Dickey’s in Schererville, Ind. for three years.

“He’s a Chicago guy and I’m from northwest Indiana,” he said. “Joe is the meat guy and I take care of the rest of it.”

“We always knew we were going to open another Dickey’s,” said DeWitt, 46, who lives in Highland, Ind. “We just didn’t know it would be so soon.”

DeWitt and Pirelli bought the Orland location from brothers John and Joseph Bak, who opened the smokehouse in January. The Texas-based chain is noted for its beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, smoked turkey, smoked ham, ribs and sausage.

“They had decided to sell the restaurant and asked if we wanted to buy it,” said DeWitt. “They closed on Thursday and we opened on Friday. No one even noticed the change it was that smooth.”

DeWitt said he and Pirelli are hands-on owners and added customers should expect to see either one of them at the Orland location.

“We will walk the floor and make sure everybody knows who we are and make sure they are having a great experience,” DeWitt said.

DeWitt said while he is concentrating efforts on the Orland location, he knows the Schererville location is in good hands: his cousin’s.

DeWitt, who also is Midwest Area Manager for the Texas-based chain, said one of his jobs is talking with prospective franchisees about Dickey’s.

“That’s how I got to know the Bak brothers,” he said.

Hours will remain the same from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and the food will meet Dickey’s highest standards, DeWitt said. The Orland location has seating for about 55 people.

For information on the Orland location, call the restaurant at 708-226-3090 or visit its Facebook page. For information on Dickey’s, visit the company’s website.

Regus Grand Opening

Regus Orland Executive Pointe will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 15255 S. 94th Avenue in Orland Park.

Mayor Dan McLaughlin is expected to cut the ribbon.

Appetizers and beverages will be served.

RSVP to Joanne Sicher at 708-428-6200 or joanne.sicher@regus.com.

Wrestling Show at Convention Center

Purely Obsessed Wrestling World is bringing pro wrestling to the on Saturday, July 21.

Former WWE stars “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn and Bob “Hardcore” Holly highlight the night’s action.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for a meet and greet with Gunn and Holly. General admission starts at 6 p.m. and the action starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

For information, visit POWW Entertainment.

Tinley Chamber to Tee Off

The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual golf outing on Wednesday, July 18, at 8 a.m. at the in Tinley Park. Golf begins with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m.

Cost is $125 per golfer for 18 holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast prior to start, complimentary beverages and lunch on the course and dinner buffet with open bar. Dinner only tickets are $40 per person.

For information or to reserve a tee time, call the chamber office at 708.532.5700 or email info@tinleychamber.org.

Tinley Hosts Workshop on Starting a Business

CenterPoint at Governors State University is sponsoring a free Starting a Business in Illinois workshops from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, at Kallsen Center in the .

The workshop will focus on personal, financial and legal aspects of starting a business. Participants will learn what steps to take and what resources are available to help new business owners succeed.

Dan McAllister, Regional Representative for GSU CenterPoint, will present the program, sponsored by the Village of Tinley Park.

For information, contact CenterPoint at (708) 534-4927.

Orland Park Fine Art Fair

The and the are hosting a Fine Art Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Orland Park Crossing, 14225 S. 95th Avenue.

In addition to the arts, free entertainment will be provided by local musicians, dancers and performing groups. Children attending the fair will also have the opportunity to participate in a community art project that will be seen throughout Orland Park once it is completed. Artists also will be selling their pieces.

Family Fun Night at Odyssey

Members of the Orland Park and Tinley Park chambers are invited to a multichamber Family Fun Night from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at , 19111 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. For information, call 708-429-3800. Members should RSVP to their respective chambers.

If you're interested in more local happenings, check out Orland Park business news and Tinley Park 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.

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