Mr. Plumbing in Crestwood has been collecting food every Thanksgiving and Christmas for the last five years.
Now, the 42-year-old company has decided to continue the effort with food donations going to Operation Blessing in Alsip.
“We’ve been working with the Crestwood Police Department for the last five years or so,” said Mr. Plumbing owner Bob Smith.
Smith said the need exists year-round and decided to continue the effort.
“We’ll accept nonperishable food donations as long as people want to bring them in,” Smith said. “This week, we’ve already made two trips to Operation Blessing.”
Donations are being collected in drop boxes located inside Mr. Plumbing’s showroom at 14024 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood.
5 Guys closes in Chicago Ridge Mall
Chicago Ridge Mall, which is losing its Sears anchor store by the end of April, has also lost one of its many food outlets with the recent closing of 5 Guys hamburgers.
The company did not respond to requests for information, and Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar said he didn’t know why the restaurant closed.
“I liked their burgers,” he said. “I’ll miss it.”
He also said Starwood LLC, which owns the mall, had assured him they should easily be able to find a replacement business.
“They said they will be able to fill the space quickly,” he said.
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Tokar said he was more concerned with filling the space to soon be vacated by Sears, which has been an anchor at the mall since 1981.
Tokar said the village had only recently found a replacement for Carson’s, another mall anchor store, that closed a couple of years ago.
That space is being filled by Dick’s Sporting Goods, which Tokar said is probably looking at opening in late spring or early summer.
As for the coming Sears vacancy, Tokar said Starwood would probably have to divide up the space.
“That’s just too big of a space to fill with one retailer,” said Tokar.
Orland Park has done the same thing with its former Sears store, which is being redeveloped as a movie theater and other shops and restaurants.
Short and Sweet-Tasty Treats moves in Frankfort
Owner Maria Zientara recently moved her Short & Sweet-Tasty Treats sweets shop from its longtime home on U.S. 30 to downtown Frankfort and added Vintage Candy Apples to their name.
The family-owned business opened in Frankfort in 2016 and in January held its grand opening at its new home at 26 Ash St.
The shop features gourmet handmade confections, a full coffee and cappuccino bar, macaroons, vintage candy, smoothies, and ice cream.
Zientara said her caramels and cheesecake are made from scratch.
Allied hiring security workers
Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, is seeking to hire at least 50 security professionals in the south suburbs.
The company is holding open house hiring events on Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 and April 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the company’s branch office at 7820 Graphics Drive, Suite 105 in Tinley Park.
In addition to in-person interviews, Allied Universal’s virtual interview process allows applicants to complete the company’s online application from home.
“We are recruiting for all shifts for all levels of experience,” said Tamika Henderson, a recruiter for the company.
More information is at https://jobs.aus.com/.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].