On March 16, Wolf’s Bakery in Evergreen Park said it was temporarily closing its doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The bakery, which just celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019, reopened Monday at 3241 W. 95th St. with some changes to deal with the ongoing health emergency.
The owners said store hours would be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
For the time being, Wolf’s will only allow five people in the store at a time. Curbside pickup and delivery will be coming.
The menu has not changed and Wolf’s Bakery remains the home of the original Lemon Fluff cake, as well as South Side Irish Soda Bread, Butter Pecan Coffeecake, Atomic Cake, Chocolate Donuts, and Paczki.
Evergreen Plaza listed for sale
A joint venture including Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Lormax Stern has hired HFF to sell the 175,000-square-foot Evergreen Plaza property at 9500 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Plaza, according to an HFF listing on its website.
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Tenants at the new plaza include Carson’s, Whole Foods, Burlington and Petco.
The shopping center opened about four years ago on the site of the former Evergreen Plaza Mall, which the developers bought out of foreclosure in 2015 and tore down.
Evergreen Plaza is about 95 percent occupied.
Pop’s helps out during pandemic
Palos Heights-based Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage restaurants will present the Greater Chicago Food Depository with a donation of $2,500.
The chain hosted a campaign throughout January, for proceeds from onion ring orders to go towards the local food bank. The Illinois restaurants raised the combined total and will present the donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
“During these unprecedented times, we’re looking forward to being able to give back to an organization that continuously goes above and beyond to serve the community,” said Kacie Radochonski, director of operations for Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage. “Our donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository would not be possible without our loyal customers and we’re grateful for their generous contributions to an organization we all value.”
Art Van subject of employee lawsuit
Art Van Furniture employees had the rug pulled out from under them on March 20 when the Michigan-based retailer closed its stores because of the coronavirus pandemic and then reneged on a plan to provide employees salary and benefits that was part of an announced going out of business sale.
The company immediately laid off all store and warehouse employees.
A company spokeswoman said Art Van couldn’t afford to keep employees after liquidation sales were halted because of COVID-19 concerns.
Employees affected by the decision in the south suburbs said a class-action lawsuit has been filed against the company.
Macy’s, Kohl’s announce pandemic furloughs
National retailers Macy’s and Kohl’s announced on Monday they would start to furlough thousands of employees as U.S. retailers keep their stores shut to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
The furlough will impact a majority of its about 130,000 employees, Macy’s said. All workers at store and store distribution centers, as well as some corporate office associates will be affected by the decision, Kohl’s said.
“Given these extraordinary circumstances, we are taking difficult and decisive actions to strengthen our financial liquidity,” Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass said in a statement. Gass said she will not take a salary.
Kohl’s said furloughed employees would continue to get health benefits and added that those impacted could benefit from the new government stimulus package. Macy’s specified that employees enrolled in health benefits will continue to receive coverage, at least through May.
Newspapers halt publication
Orland Park-based 22nd Century Media announced Tuesday because of the collapse of advertising related to the coronavirus pandemic, it would suspend operation of its seven newspapers in the south and southwest suburbs along with eight other publications in the north suburbs and southern California.
The company was started in 2005 by Jack Ryan after his aborted 2004 Senate campaign against Barack Obama. He left the company in 2015.
Most staffers and freelancers at the company said they were let go as of last week.
New owners at Lindy’s Chili
The Gahagan Family are the new owners of Lindy’s Chili/Gertie’s Ice Cream, 6544 W. Archer Ave. in Chicago.
The menu features the same chili and other offerings for now and the new owners promise an improved menu is coming.
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The restaurant is currently open for pick-up and delivery only from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Bob Bong is a freelancer. He can be reached at [email protected].