Comings & Goings: Savers to Open Next Week in Orland Park

will be opening its Orland Park thrift store at 15625 S. 94th Avenue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16.

As part of the opening celebration, Savers is working with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. Donations to the store will directly benefit the Foundation.

The company was founded in 1954 and has alliances with more than 140 nonprofit organizations and charities.

The Bellevue, Wash.-based retailer has been expanding its presence for the past few years and plans on opening more than 100 new stores in the next couple of years. The chain has more than 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Savers will be opening three stores in the Chicago area that day including locations in Carol Stream and Arlington Heights. They will join three stores already open in Downers Grove, Naperville and St. Charles.

For information, visit Savers.

Old Plank Trail Bank Opens Orland Branch

Old Plank Trail Community Bank, which is part of Wintrust Financial Corp., opened a new branch earlier this year at 15330 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The new branch is called Orland Park Bank and Trust. For information, call 708-460-1100 or visit Orland Park Bank.

Thomas Place Under Construction

Construction is moving along on Thomas Place Orland Park, a community for independent seniors being built at 15555 S. Harlem Ave. on the former site of Rizza Oldsmobile.

The senior complex is being built by the Ryan Companies and will have 80 apartments for rent when completed next spring.

Big Tuna Now Woow

Big Tuna Sushi restaurants in and Frankfort recently changed their name to Woow Japanese restaurants. The change was made by owner Chang Wu to reflect his family’s name. The menu and hours remain the same.

Wu also recently opened a third Woow restaurant location in LaGrange.

Marquette Bank, Charter Fitness Seek School Supplies

and are holding school supply drives in August.

Marquette Bank is holding its annual drive through Friday, Aug. 10. Customers, employees, neighbors and businesses can donate school supplies at any of the bank’s 23 locations. For information, call 1-888-254-9500.

Charter Fitness is hosting its annual drive through Sunday, Aug. 19.  Brand-new school supplies may be dropped off at any participating locations.  The donations will benefit local students and schools in each of the communities Charter Fitness serves. 

For information, ask at your local center or visit Charter Fitness. 

Calling for Business Champions

The Economic Development Council for the Southwest Suburbs is seeking nominations for its 2012 Business Champion Awards.

Nominations are being accepted in five categories:

• Training and Development
• Sustainability
• Excellence in Government
• Philanthropy
• Best Place to Work

Eligible individuals or businesses must be clients of Moraine Valley Community College’s Corporate, Community and Continuing Education subdivision or be located in or provide services in one of the 26 communities in the college’s district.

Nominees can enter as many categories for which they qualify, but they can only win once. Entries must include a nomination form and a brief description of the business or individual. Self-nominations are accepted. 

The awards will be presented at the 18th annual Business Champion Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 1.

For information, call Eda Schrimple, Economic Development Council for the Southwest Suburbs coordinator, at 708-974-5714.   

Durbin’s Celebrating 25th Anniversary

is celebrating its 25th anniversary and its Tinley Park location is holding a pizza eating contest and a karaoke contest on Wednesday night. For information, call 708-429-1000.

The chain is also opening its new Plainfield location today at 11 a.m.

Salina’s Hosting Ice Cream Social

7551 W. 175th St. in Tinley Park, is hosting an Ice Cream Social Business after Hours for the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Members are asked to RSVP to the chamber office by Aug. 10.

Jason Aldean to Hit Tinley Amphiteatre

Country stars Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, D.J. Silver and Rachel Farley will bring their tour to the on Saturday, Aug. 18. For tickets, call 312-540-2180 or email ChicagoVIP@livenation.com.

The Lorax Invades Orland Square Mall

Simon Kidgets Club at will celebrate the release on DVD and Blue-ray of “The Lorax” by holding a Seuss party on Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. in the upper level Carsons Court. Families are encouraged to get creative and enjoy an imaginative adventure. For information, call 708-349-1647.    

Mall Celebrates Back-to-School Saturday

Teen Vogue magazine has dubbed Aug. 11 as national Back-to-School Saturday and Orland Square Mall has teamed up with Radio Disney to celebrate from 10 a.m. to noon. Families will enjoy crafts, activities, entertainment, giveaways, samplings, goodie bags and more. 

The mall is also looking for family-friendly vendors looking to reach the back-to-school crowd. For information, contact ggleespen@simon.com. 

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.

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

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