Little Joe’s sells New Lenox location
Little Joe’s Famous Italian Restaurante! Original from 63rd, which got its start in 1958, announced last month that it had sold the New Lenox location after 23 years.
The location at 1300 N. Cedar Road had been open for 23 years, according to owner Sue Vazquez, who said the location changed hands on April 19. Vazquez did not disclose the names of the new owners.
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I think it’s going to be good for us. We’re going to concentrate on Tinley Park. It’s great to just have one restaurant again.”
It’s the second location Little Joe’s has shed in recent years. It closed its Frankfort location a couple of years ago.
All that remains is the Tinley Park location at 7976 W. 167th St., which opened in 1991 after the original location on 63rd Street was sold.
The New Lenox location is temporarily closed for cleaning and remodeling. No date has been announced for when it will reopen for business.
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The Tinley location is open daily. Hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 1-9 p.m. on Sunday.
Meatheads closes in Frankfort
Meatheads has closed its Frankfort location at 11143 W. Lincoln Highway. The gourmet hamburger restaurant had been open for more than 10 years at that location. The closest location for fans is in Naperville, which is one of six locations in the Chicago area.
Road closures abound
There’s an old saying that the Chicago area has two seasons: Winter and road construction.
Road construction season is in full swing and here are some that will affect local motorists:
Roberts Road and 87th Street
Overnight road closures, including full intersection closures with detours, will be scheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street over the next two weeks as the Illinois Tollway continues work on local roadway reconstruction and improvements as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.
Beginning Wednesday, May 10, overnight full closures of both 87th Street and Roberts Road are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. with all lanes scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. the following morning. Up to six nights of similar closures will be scheduled over the next two weeks.
During the roadway closures on Roberts Road, a posted detour will route traffic via 95th Street, 88th Avenue/Cork Avenue and 79th Street.
To accommodate bridge replacement work, as well as local road reconstruction and improvements, traffic is currently reduced in both directions on Roberts Road and 87th Street. Traffic shifts and lane closures will continue in this area through 2023.
Wolf Road in Orland Park
An improvement project on Wolf Road, from 159th Street to 183rd Place, in Orland Park is scheduled to begin May 15.
During the first stage of construction northbound Wolf Road will be closed, between 179th Street and U.S. 6. A detour will direct motorists to 179th Street and U.S. 6. This configuration is expected to remain in place until midsummer, when northbound Wolf Road reopens and southbound Wolf Road closes. Access to residences and businesses within the work zone will be maintained throughout construction.
The $2 million project, which consists of resurfacing 1.2 miles of Wolf Road, constructing new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and culvert repairs, is expected to be completed in late fall.
Dixie Highway in Harvey
A culvert replacement project on Dixie Highway at 151st Street, in Harvey, will require lane closures beginning May 15.
Dixie Highway will be reduced to one lane in each direction at 151st Street. The project is anticipated to be completed in November.
86th Avenue in Palos Park
Cleaning and painting of the bridge carrying 86th Avenue over Southwest Highway in Palos Park will require lane closures beginning May 15.
To complete the work, Southwest Highway will be reduced to one lane in both directions approaching the bridge. The work is anticipated to be completed in early August.
127th Street in Blue Island
Cleaning and painting of the CSX Railroad bridge over 127th Street, in Blue Island, will require lane closures that started last week.
To complete the work, 127th Street will be reduced to one lane in both directions approaching the bridge. The work is expected to be complete in July.
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Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].