Crestwood business joins Operation Blessing
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.
Five 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 Five 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.
Tokar said he was more concerned with filling the space soon to 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 dozens of 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.
Every year the Crisis Center for South Suburbia hosts a fundraising gala and honors community members, supporters and survivors of domestic violence. This year, five awards were presented and recipients had the opportunity to record their acceptance speeches for the virtual gala on
Feb. 20.
New Lenox resident Beth Mahar received the Dianne Masters Award, Glenwood’s Brenda White was recognized with the Courage Award, Sam and Kari Aiello were presented the Spirit of Charity Award, Orland Park’s Mike Ruffner received the Volunteer Spirit Award and the new Gifts of Hope Award was inspired and named after the group that received it — local charity Gifts for Hope.
Southland College Prep students find speech success
Two Southland College Prep Charter High School seniors placed first and second in separate events of the Illinois High School Association virtual 202021 State Speech Championship tournament.
Bri’Yon Watts captured the Illinois state championship in Dramatic Interpretation and Nyah Ware is the tournament’s runner-up in Impromptu Speaking. She also placed 5th in Special Occasion Speaking.
“These two students have continued the Southland College Prep speech team’s tradition of performing extraordinarily well in IHSA individual events,” said Cheryl Frazier, Southland’s head speech coach. During the 2020-21 speech season, Watts earned a total of 23 first place medals in Dramatic Duet Interpretation and Poetry Reading, including being named champion of two regional events and the State final. Ware placed first in 10 Impromptu Speaking, Prose Reading and Special Occasion Speaking events, including regional and sectional championships during this season,