3 businesses named to Illinois Made Program
Three south suburban businesses have been honored by the Illinois Office of Tourism as part of the Illinois Made program, which recognizes companies for being makers, creators and artisans that have helped attract locals and visitors and offer one-of-a-kind experiences and products.
“Being recognized for excellence by the Illinois Office of Tourism is a tremendous honor, we’re so proud of our newest inductees,” Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a release announcing the new inductees.
The inductees are Gayety’s Chocolates in Lansing, Thornton Distilling Co. in Thornton and Vintrendi Wine Co. in Park Forest.
Gayety’s was founded in 1920 in South Chicago before moving to Lansing in 1988. The sweet shop closed in 2018 then was reopened early in 2019 after being bought out of bankruptcy by Laurene Lemanski, a longtime employee of the shop.
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The shop specializes in hand dipped chocolates and ice cream made from 100-year-old recipes. The shop was recognized as one of USA Today’s “Top 50 Ice Cream Parlors.”
Thornton Distilling is in the oldest standing brewery in Illinois. The 20,000-square-foot facility produces small-batch spirits, offers historic tours, tastings, a cocktail bar and restaurant and hosts weddings and social events. During the pandemic, they’ve produced over 5,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and donated it for free.
Vintrendi Wine is a winery that aims to offer consumers taste experiences not typically found on the average retailer’s shelves. By presenting their wines based on their taste profiles, they’re able to coach wine consumers in finding what they truly like.
They join five previous inductees from the south suburbs, including 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, a brewery in Bedford Park, Flossmoor Station, a brew pub in Flossmoor, Homewood Bat Co., which makes wooden baseball bats, Lotton Art Glass Gallery in Crete and Wild Blossom Meadery in Chicago’s Beverly Community.
Parisi’s Drive-In closes again
Parisi’s Drive-In in Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood has closed a couple of times in recent years only to reopen within a short time.
The restaurant at 6216 W. 63rd St. closed last month and this time it might be for good.
“It closed about a month ago. There is unconfirmed word that it will become an Asian restaurant,” said Mary Ellen Brown, president of the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
She said the building was still owned by Nghia Nguyen, owner of Elegant Nails Salon across the street, who bought the business and building from its longtime owners in 2017.
At the time of the sale, longtime manager Rick Lunt said the new owner wanted to stay behind the scenes. Lunt had been working at the restaurant since 1971.
The drive-in had been open for more than 40 years, serving beef and breaded steak sandwiches, fries and milkshakes.
Angels Among Us sets grand opening
Angels Among Us, a custom candles and gift shop with an angels theme, will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting next week in Orland Park.
The gift shop will hold its ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Dec. 1, at 15834 S. LaGrange Road.
The shop specializes in handmade products made by American crafters.
Mercy Circle named a top workplace
Mercy Circle has been selected among the top 100 workplaces in Chicago for small businesses employing between 100 and 249 people, making this the second consecutive year the continuing care retirement community in Chicago’s Mt. Greenwood neighborhood has earned this designation.
Organized by the baiduhai, Chicago’s Top Workplaces honors companies with “a people-centered culture.” To be considered, organizations had to first be nominated by an employee. After that, employees completed a workplace satisfaction survey. Companies were ranked based on employee responses.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].