Writing's on the Window: Sam & Jake's Closes Sunday

Because its lease at its Oak Park Avenue wasn't renewed, Sam & Jake's Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor's last day at that location will be Sunday, May 12, according to a large, window message, written in bright-yellow washable paint.

"Good Bye Tinley Park," the message reads, accented by a yellow frowny face. "Non Renewal of Lease—YES we are being EVICTED!!!"

READ: An Old-Fashioned Parlor With a New Age Twist

The ice cream shop's phone number has been temporarily disconnected, and the business was closed during the hours posted on its website and Facebook page. As of late Thursday night, those sites, along with Sam & Jake's Twitter feed, left no indication that the sweet shop was closing or possibly moving to a new location.

However, one customer, Thomas Lusk, left the following message April 30 on the shop's Facebook page:

Sam & Jake's is part of the fabric and personality of downtown Tinley Park that keeps it from becoming 'Anywhere, USA.' The character, decor, and location gives a small-town, nostalgic, old-fashioned feel that is a rare find these days. It's like it was taken right out of the Willy Wonka movie set. I was truly upset to find out you will no longer be around after May 31st and I wish there was something all of us could do to make sure the shop sticks around for years to come. Whatever business the owner tries to replace you with will have big shoes to fill and a lot of work ahead of them to fill the void left behind in the community. Good luck to you and let the public know if there is any action that might be taken to help. Small businesses deserve better! In the meantime, I will be sure to stop by again before the doors close for the last time.

Sam & Jake's has been owned by Tim and Tracy Leo since 2007, and the ice cream shop has been there since 2002. The building at 17348 Oak Park Ave., was built in 1927 and had been the home of hardware and drug stores over the years.

READ: What Will You Do If Tinley Park's Applebee's Closes?

Sam & Jake's tried to evoke a nostalgic early 20th century atmosphere, keeping the building's original tin ceiling, selling penny candy and operating an original 1927 soda fountain behind the counter.

Patch will continue to update this story.

YOUR TURN: What do you think of the closing of Sam & Jake's? Are you sad to see it shut its doors? What do you think should go in its place? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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