Frankies Beef and Pasta shuttered in Oak Lawn
Owners Vince and Nina Santoro closed Frankie’s Beef and Pasta in Oak Lawn last week after 35 years at 5721 W. 95th St.
They also announced that Frankie’s Ristorante in Tinley Park is closed for renovations that they hope will be completed in time to reopen by May 9.
Owners of that location, Frankie and Angela Santoro, are going to be rebranding that location at 9501 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park. Staff from the Oak Lawn location will be moving over to the Tinley location.
Vince and Nora posted this message on social media:
“Friends … we could have never imagined in the hot Summer of 1988 when we first opened, we would have survived this long! We started as a tiny storefront in this same strip mall, and continued to grow & grow. It was only as a result of sacrifice and hard work from so many AND from the support of our community that we are still here,” they wrote.
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“We first want to thank all of our employees … past and present. Through the good time & bad times, we stuck it out and survived. This is a tough business. Much has changed over the years, and we are thankful to still be standing. However, the time has come to take a step back and for Vince & Nina to finally enjoy their grandchildren and life. They haven’t stopped working since getting ‘off the boat from Italy,’ literally. The mental and physical exhaustion is real.
“Although it happened quicker than anticipated … we can’t spread ourselves thin and had to quickly decide it was this week. So, it is bittersweet …”
Catering delivery will still be available from Frank’s Beef and Pasta through mid-May when everything will be consolidating through the Tinley Park catering location.
Tuesday Morning closing in Orland Park
Retailer Tuesday Morning joined Bed Bath and Beyond on Monday by announcing it would be closing all of its stores. No closing dates were announced.
The retailer has locations in 25 states including two in Illinois. One store is in Fox River Grove and the other is at 15846 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.
The company said gift cards would be honored through May 13. Items purchased before April 28 can be returned within 14 days with the original receipt.
Pucci’s Restaurant and Pizzeria closes on East Side
Pucci’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 10063 S. Ewing Ave., has closed its doors for the last time last week in Chicago’s East Side community.
The owners Gino and Carmela Pucci and Frank and Ann Pucci decided to retire after more than three decades in business.
The restaurant’s last day was Friday, April 28.
Once upon a time, it was home to Duke’s 101 Club.
Strawberry Festival coming to Bridgeview
A Strawberry Festival is coming to Bridgeview for the next two weekends.
The festival will include a carnival, petting zoo, magic show, live music, food, cocktails and beer, and, of course, strawberries. Visitors will be able to indulge in strawberry infused foods and drinks.
The fest will be set up from May 5, to 7, and again from May 12 to 14. It will be located in the former Kmart parking lot at 79th Street and Harlem Avenue. Hours will be 4-10 p.m. on Fridays, 2-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-9 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets are $10 per person (kids under 3 are free) and can be ordered at Ticketwiz.com.
Harlem Avenue resurfacing begins May 9
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a resurfacing of Harlem Avenue, from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, in Forest View, to Hanover Street, in Summit and Chicago, will require intermittent overnight lane closures beginning May 9.
The $1.3 million project, which also consists of constructing new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and replacing deteriorated curbs, is expected to be completed in late July.
Access to residences and businesses within the work zone will be maintained throughout construction.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
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Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].