Demolition is underway at the former Kmart store at 173rd Street and Torrence Avenue in Lansing to make way for a new gas station and convenience store on the property.
The store closed in July 2016 and had been empty ever since.
Lansing officials last year approved plans for a Quik Trip gas station, convenience store and truck fueling areas at the site.
Plans calls for the store to be north of an adjacent LA Fitness Center, which is in an old Dominick’s supermarket. Covered gas pumps would be on the north side of the store and a diesel fueling area would be to the east.
Parking for LA Fitness would move to the lot east of the fitness center.
A representative from Quik Trip told officials there would be no overnight parking for truckers. The store would sell its own food and packaged alcohol but there are no plans for fast-food restaurants. Video gaming machines are planned to be located there.
Construction is expected to start this spring with an opening date sometime in the fourth quarter.
Saunoris closes Chicago Ridge location
James Saunoris & Sons Flowers & Greenhouses announced on Facebook that it was permanently closing its longtime location at 6000 W. 111th St. in Chicago Ridge as of last Friday.
The announcement said customers should visit the Saunoris location at 19600 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort.
In its announcement, the company said, “We are sad to announce that our Chicago Ridge store will be permanently closed and we will merge our business with our other location in Frankfort. We deeply appreciate your many years of loyal patronage and hope you will visit us in Frankfort for all of your gardening needs.”
The family-owned gardening center opened more than 85 years ago.
Hog Wild to open in Oak Lawn next week
Hog Wild, the wildly popular Midlothian restaurant known for its pork chops, announced it will open its newest location next week in Oak Lawn’s Ranch Manor shopping center at 111th and Pulaski Road.
Owners are promising the recipes and menu will be the same at the new location as the original restaurant at 14933 S. Pulaski Road in Midlothian.
The grand opening is set for Monday, Jan. 10.
Palos Carwash to rebrand
Palos Carwash at 12101 S. Ridgeland Ave. has taken down its signage as it prepares to remodel before reopening as a Clearwave car wash in mid-February.
Palos opened in 2007. It was scheduled to close sometime this week for remodeling and renovation. Plans are to reopen in mid-February.
Clearwave operates a car wash at 12121 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip.
Edge Fitness opens in Orland Hills
Connecticut-based Edge Fitness Clubs opened its third Chicago area location last week.
The facility at 9291 W. 159th Street in Orland Hills, next to Walmart in the old Sports Authority location, opened Dec. 29.
The 40,000-square-foot space is now open for workouts and a variety of fitness activities.
Club hours are 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Founded in 1988, the company operates 39 locations in nine states.
Secretary of State cancels in-person transactions
Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing that all Secretary of State departments will not conduct in-person transactions — including Driver Services facilities — through Jan. 17.
All departments and Driver Services facilities will reopen Jan. 18. White is encouraging the public to visit ilsos.gov for online services. Online transactions will remain open for all departments to conduct office services.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].