Sweet Dreams Cakes: Bakery's Grand Opening a Savory Reality for Two Close Friends

Vicki O'Bryant and Lauren Tanzillo have turned their baking business into a bricks-and-mortar bakery in Frankfort, which opens Saturday. Find out how their shop is giving others' dreams a chance to come true.

There's something very appropriate about the fact that Vicki O'Bryant and Lauren Tanzillo call their new bakery in Frankfort Sweet Dreams Cakes. This venture not only has been the culmination of their shared dream of having their own bakery, but it's become the catalyst of making the dreams come true for many of the people they've hired. Sweet Dreams Cakes will have its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, with a carnival-like party that will include face painting, raffles and free samples of their freshly made desserts and baked goods. Some of the other neighboring businesses along U.S. Route 30, such as Hawgs 'N Dawgs, also will be participating in the opening. "We wanted to make it a big event because we're celebrating…

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Obama's 'You Didn't Build That' Business Comments: Is He Wrong?

The president's small-business comments upset many people and gave Republican Mitt Romney a point of attack. But Barack Obama said the comments were taken out of context. What do you think? Take the Patch Poll.

President Barack Obama's recent comments about small business created a firestorm that could become a focus of the 2012 election — even as Obama and his supporters say his comments were taken out of context.  "Look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own," he said during a July 13 speech in Virginia. "If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help ... If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen." Take the Patch poll below: Who plays the most significant role in creating jobs and economic growth? That's not the entire speech, which you can read on the independent FactCheck.org. According to that post, the comments were taken out of context: "There’s no question …

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Dennis Robaugh

10:34 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Say good night, Gracie.   more ›

Business Owners: Improve Your Online Presence With Help From Patch

Patch wants to help you, the local business owners, learn more about your online presence. We'll teach you how to use various resources, including Patch and social media sites.

Patch knows that local business owners are local experts, and we want to help you get that message out to the rest of the community. That's why we're bringing our popular workshop series for business owners to Tinley Park on July 31. The free event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31 at Gatto's Restaurant in Tinley Park. Join us at the club to learn how to improve your online presence via Patch and other social media platforms. Please RSVP in the form above so we can make sure we'll have enough seating. Once you've RSVP'd, we'll update this article and give a shoutout to your business. The Main Street U workshop series has reached hundreds of businesses in Patch towns across the country and elevated the local profile of those …

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Tinley Park Couple to Open New Bakery by End of June

Dion and Vicki O'Bryant have built a name for Sweet Dreams Cakes, selling baked goods at farmers markets throughout the area. Soon, they'll have a central location in Frankfort, along Lincoln Highway.

This might be the first Dion and Vicki O'Bryant have owned a bake shop, but the couple are no strangers to the bakery business. Under the name Sweet Dreams Cakes, the O'Bryants, along with Lauren Tanzillo, have been selling freshly made baked goods, such as cupcakes, specialty cakes, cupcakes and other desserts and pastries, throughout the area for about two years. To do that, they've been using commercial kitchens from Tinley Park to downtown Chicago. But their bakery at 7956 Lincoln Hwy., near Ryan's Pub, will put that behind them and give them a central location for their business. "We're an old-fashioned bakery with a bit of flair," said Vicki, who graduated from the culinary school at the Illinois Institute of Art. The O'Bryants, who …

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JoAnn Maloney

12:48 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012

Congratulations & best wishes in Tinley from The Maloney's at Classy Flowers in downtown Tinley Park!   more ›

Nailing It: Who Is Tops for Your Tips?

Have a favorite business in town? Or one that hasn't made you happy? Please join the discussion on Patch and leave reviews in our business directory.

Each week Patch focuses on a different product or service. This week it's about the hand that soothes yours during a much-needed manicure. Raise your hand if yours are taking a beating this winter. With paper cuts from wrapping paper, or splinters from a shovel, or just the basic wear and tear of cold weather—some of us don't take very good care of our hands during the winter months. The skin tightens and dries, and nails start to look a little ragged—but that's where mittens come in handy. If folks are starting to shun your handshake, stop into one of these local nail salons. Tell us which one you frequent, and what you like about them. Oak Forest Tinley Park Orland Park Did we miss one? Email us your nail salon of choice in Oak Forest, …

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Have You Had Your Eyes Checked Lately?

Have a favorite business in town? Or one that hasn't made you happy? Please join the discussion on Patch and leave reviews in our business directory.

Each week Patch focuses on a different product or service. This week it's about the eyes. Was one of your New Year's resolutions to get your eyes checked? Eye doctors recommend adults have their eyes checked every year, resolution or not. If you suffer headaches, watery eyes, blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night (especially while driving) or if you feel the need to rub your eyes frequently, you might need glasses. Children who need glasses might experience similar symptoms (but might be less inclined to admit them). Watch children for behaviors like sitting too close to the television or computer, holding a book to close to the face and rubbing eyes frequently.  If you suspect someone in your family needs glasses, or your eyeglass …

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UPDATED: Frankfort's Aurelio's, Parent Company Settle Infringement Suit

Details weren't disclosed, but Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise and the owner of the chain's Frankfort location came to terms over a lawsuit claiming the owner sold improperly prepared frozen pizzas under Aurelio's name, the Chicago Tribune reports.

An Aurelio's Pizza franchise owner and the restaurant's parent company reached a settlement over a trademark infringement lawsuit that accused the Frankfort location of selling counterfeit pizzas at a fundraiser for the Homewood-Flossmoor High School girls’ field hockey team, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Kirk Mauriello, director of franchising for the Homewood-based Aurelio’s Is Pizza Franchise, wouldn't go into details about the settlement but said the company and Joseph Pascale, owner of the Frankfort franchise agreed to terms that would keep that location in the chain's system, the Tribune said. Mauriello said the company had received complaints and questions regarding the ingredients used in the pizzas Pascale provided for …

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Darnell

6:52 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Thank You Frank,, your comment said it all! It's pizza people,,Jeebus, get a life!!!   more ›

Who Dishes Out the Best Pizza in Tinley Park?

Have a favorite business in town? Or one that hasn't made you happy? Please join the discussion on Patch and leave reviews in our business directory.

Each week Patch focuses on a different product or service. This week, since we're all probably tired of cooking, we're focusing on pizza places. What's your preference? Who makes the best pie? Whether you like it thin, stuffed, or somewhere in between, we want to hear from you. When a new family moves into your neighborhood and they ask for your recommendations for stores, take-out places or professional services, what do you say? Because Patch has an extensive directory of businesses, we want all of our readers to benefit from your experience the way your neighbors do. What are your go-to places for dinner on those nights when you don't want to cook? Who do you call when a raccoon has made your chimney home? Share your knowledge with …

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Out, Damn Spot! Which Dry Cleaner Gets Out All Your Spots?

Have a favorite business in town? Or one that hasn't made you happy? Please join the discussion on Patch and leave reviews in our business directory.

Each week Patch focuses on a different product or service. This week, we're talking about dry cleaners. This time of year more than any other, we need to have things cleaned. Whether it's an eggnog stain in a favorite tie, the little black dress we want to wear to a New Year's Eve party, the musty down comforter or Grandma's handmade tablecloth (a red wine stain!), is there a local cleaner you trust over the others? Share your experiences, good and bad, by leaving reviews in our directory.  When a new family moves into your neighborhood and they ask for your recommendations for stores, take-out places or professional services, what do you say? Because Patch has an extensive directory of businesses, we want all of our readers to benefit …

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Business Comings 'n Goings

Comings & Goings: Racing Board to Consider OTB for Orland Hills; Fudgi Island Cookie Crumbles

The Illinois Racing Board will consider on Dec. 20 an application for an Arlington Park Trackside OTB in Orland Hills.

Updated, 4:25 p.m. with new Sears opening date. Soon, you can place your off-track bets in Orland Hills. The Illinois Racing Board is expected to approve a license next week for Arlington Park to open an off-track betting parlor in the former Hertz lot at 9201 W. 159th St., officials said. “The site totally fits the parameters for an OTB license by the Illinois Racing Board,” said Orland Hills Village Administrator John Daly. “I don’t see how the license couldn’t be approved.” The village has been talking about the plan for the past decade and Daly said trustees, "have long embraced to opportunity." The betting center should off-set the village's need to increase property taxes, he noted. If given the go-ahead, the former Hertz building …

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