Once mighty Sears, founded in Chicago in 1892 and for years America’s retail giant, announced last week it would be closing its last south suburban store in the Chicago Ridge Mall.
The store opened in Chicago Ridge in 1981 and featured a 25-bay auto center, photo studio, optical department and even a Sears Financial Center.
The closing will leave Sears with only the Woodfield Mall location in Schaumburg in the state where it opened its first store, in 1925 in Chicago. Earlier closings claimed Sears stores in several southern suburbs, including Park Forest, Matteson, Calumet City, Joliet and Orland Park, which closed in 2018.
The Chicago Ridge closing was added quietly Friday to a list of store closings announced earlier by Transformco, the retailer’s parent.
Liquidation sales started this week. The store is expected to close on April 25.
Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar said he believes Chicago Ridge Mall will be able to fill the Sears space.
“Yesterday, we were informed of the Sears closing at the Chicago Ridge Mall. We greatly appreciate their many years of being a wonderful retail resource for our community. As retail has changed, the village has continuously worked with mall ownership to modernize and adapt with the times to keep our mall fresh and vibrant.
“Just recently, we were able to attract Dick’s Sporting Goods to help anchor the southern part of the mall. This addition is rare in the mall industry and shows how well regarded our mall is.
“Today, I talked with the CEO of Starwood LLC who is the owner of our mall. We discussed future development and are encouraged about the ability to fill the Sears area quickly. Like me, he has received great feedback about the mall’s future. Please know that we are committed to working with Starwood’s team to ensure Chicago Ridge Mall remains an asset to our village community and the surrounding area.”
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Jameson’s Charhouse opens in Countryside
Located on historic Route 66 in Countryside, the newly renovated Holiday Inn Countryside at 6201 Joliet Road recently bolstered its offerings with the opening of Jameson’s Original Charhouse.
The restaurant debuted January 25 for takeout, expanded to dine-in service on February 1, and capped its launch with a February 5 ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a number of local business and civic leaders.
The coronavirus pandemic slowed the restaurant’s opening, which had initially been planned for two months earlier.
“The pandemic will pass and when it does, we are ready for Jameson’s to be the premier steakhouse in Countryside,” said Kimberley Nosko, the Holiday Inn Countryside general manager who is also overseeing the restaurant addition and launch. “It has been wonderful to see how people throughout the area have already embraced us.”
The hotel is located near interstates 55 and 294, a relatively short drive from dozens of communities throughout the region.
Jameson’s is open from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. Initially, Jameson’s is employing over 20 people, and that figure should climb to upward of 50 or more, company official said.
First Midwest Bank closes Frankfort branch
First Midwest Bank has closed its branch at 7645 W. St. Francis Road in the Frankfort Square community.
The branch closed on Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. after being open for more than 30 years under a variety of bank brands including its original name as Frankfort Square Bank.
The ATM is still in operation at the site.
Amazon Fresh opens in Oak Lawn
Amazon opened its third Illinois Amazon Fresh store last week at 4031 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.
“The village of Oak Lawn is thrilled to welcome Amazon Fresh as the main anchor at the newly redeveloped Oak Lawn Commons,” said Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury. “The store brings hundreds of much needed jobs, high-quality food, low prices and innovative convenience features. We are excited for the energy and excitement it will bring to this gateway into Oak Lawn.”
The store is about 35,000 square feet and is on the site of a former Kmart location that was closed a few years ago.
The store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the first hour is reserved for customers who are 60 or older and the disabled.
Bury said the store brought more than 500 jobs to the area. “Most are full-time positions with benefits and they pay a minimum of $15 per hour,” she said.
She said the store also serves as a pickup center for Amazon orders as well as a drop-off center for returns.
She said the store offers produce, meat and seafood.
“I have not seen seafood like that in other area grocery stores,” she said.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].