Crystals, vinyl highlight new Homewood Rock Shop
As its name suggests, you can find all kinds of rocks at The Rock Shop, but the new store in Homewood offers so much more. There are, of course, the rocks.
“We have rocks that range from $1 to $3,000,” said co-owner Laura Bruni. “We carry gems, minerals and crystals.”
Ashley Zagotta, a custom jewelry designer, has a space in the store to make her own creations as well as resetting jewelry.
“She can make custom jewelry out of the rocks we carry,” said Bruni.
There are also a couple of thousand vinyl records for sale in the store.
“My focus is rock,” said co-owner Craig James who has been collecting records since he was a kid. “But we have some folk, country and even jazz.”
How about guitars? James has been making custom guitars for several years and 11 are on display in the store.
But wait, there’s more.
Half of the 1,000-square-foot storefront at 18109 Dixie Highway is the new home of Bookie’s book store, which had closed its Homewood location back in September.
“It’s evolving very quickly,” said Bruni. The brick-and-mortar location opened November 22 after some success as a pop-up shop suggested by friends. That and the fact they were running out of room at their home for the guitars and records.
“I’ve been collecting records for years,” said
James, a semiprofessional musician. “My first album was ‘Van Halen’ in 1978. I must have 10,000 albums. I still buy records. I buy what I like including some new records.”
His most expensive record is an original pressing of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds.” It lists for $1,500. Somewhere along the way he decided to start making his own guitars. “I got the idea to build my own guitars,” he said. “I make telecasters. I love ’em.”
He even has his own brand of guitars called Paradise Customs.
His son is studying guitar building, and James hopes to bring him into the business too.
Bruni said she buys ethically sourced minerals and rocks. She also finds items while prowling flea markets.
As if the store isn’t eclectic enough, Bruni said plans are underway to add a podcast recording studio.
“It will be an after-hours recording studio,” she said.
Store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Information is on their Facebook page at RockShop60430 or 847-997-7214.
Southland Business Expo coming in February
The Southland Business Expo, titled “It’s Time to Win,” will take place Feb. 17 and 18, at the Holiday Inn in Matteson.
Keynote speakers will be James Dentley, David Ibarra and Bill Walsh. Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is scheduled as a special guest.
The expo is sponsored by Chamber 57 and JD3 Media and will be held at the Holiday Inn Chicago — Matteson Conference Center, 500 Holiday Plaza Drive in Matteson.
Expo hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday (registration at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast at 8:30 a.m.). On Saturday the expo will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a VIP luncheon with David Ibarra. Tickets are $49 for Chamber 57 members, and $59 for nonmembers. VIP tickets are also available. Register at TIMETOWIN. EVENTBRITE.com.
New store opens in Tinley Park
The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting last month for Oak Park Food and Liquor at 16658 Oak Park Avenue. The owners are the Patel family.
Ribbon cutting for Midwest Express
Midwest Express Clinic will hold a ribbon cutting from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 31, at 17124 S. Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.
Orland town homes ribbon cutting
Members of the Orland Area Chamber of Commerce joined Metro East Townhomes for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 5 at 9300 W. 143rd Street.
Lou Malnati’s to begin shipping pizzas
Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s, known for its deep dish pizza, announced last week it will begin shipping its thin crust version through its Tastes of Chicago platform.
Available only in restaurants for the past 30 years, Lou’s Chicago Thin Crust features square cut pieces that have fed decades of debates between the virtues of topping-forward inner pieces crusty outer pieces.
While Malnati’s won’t take a stand on this classic deliberation, it does want to know where the nation stands. To encourage fans to weigh in, Lou’s is giving away 3,000 free pizzas to consumers who take its “Innie” versus “Outie” survey at www. AreYouInnieOrOutie.com.
Lou’s Chicago Thin Crust pizzas are available in cheese, sausage or pepperoni. More information is at TastesOfChicago. com.