A new Greek restaurant opened a couple of months ago in the plaza at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park.
Gyro Grill at 15960 S. Harlem Ave. is co-owned by Michael Vasilas and John Mihalos, who owns the Just Shrimp restaurant two doors down in the plaza anchored by ALDI.
Vasilas said Gyro Grill is a fast-casual Greek American kitchen that serves authentic Greek cuisine including charbroiled pork souvlaki, baked bougatsa, saganaki sticks and gyrolls.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Barbecue restaurant closes in Palos Heights
Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ has closed its doors at 127th Street and Ridgeland Avenue in Palos Heights.
The barbecue joint at 6523 W. 127th opened in 2008 and closed earlier this month without warning.
The eatery featured hickory smoked barbecue ribs, rib tips, pork, pulled chicken and beef brisket.
There was no notice on its Facebook page. Its phone number has been disconnected and its website has been taken down.
Urban Bricks Pizza flops in Orland
San Antonio-based Urban Bricks Pizza came and went in short order last year at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Orland Park.
The pizzeria at 7171 W. 159th St. closed last year only a few months after it opened as part of a major expansion.
A green business license revocation notice was plastered on the front door by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Former Egg and I has new name
The former Egg and I restaurant at 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park was rebranded as Stacks a few months ago. It remains under the same ownership and hours for breakfast and lunch.
It should not be confused with the similarly named Stacked restaurant, with locations at 5273 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn, and 14306 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood.
Cook County approves tax incentives
The Cook County Board of Commissioners last week approved five proposals from President Toni Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Economic Development that will provide tax incentives to businesses in Cook County.
The incentives, designed to promote economic growth, were approved in the following communities: Bridgeview, Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, Chicago Heights, Harvey and Posen.
“Our tax incentive tools are used to either keep or expand businesses in Cook County,” Preckwinkle said in a release. “The companies receiving these incentives, designated for either industrial or commercial use, have demonstrated their commitment to helping us grow vital communities.”
In Bridgeview, Tibor Machine Products, 7400 W. 100th Place, received a 6b Sustainable Emergency Relief incentive. Tibor was established in 1968 and is a contract machined products manufacturer of parts. Products include steering knuckles, hydraulic cylinder components, rod eyes, rod ends, yokes, spindles, axles, shafts, brake drums, wheel hubs, trunnions, housings and more.
In Garfield Ridge, Liberty Property, 5063 S. Merrimac Ave., received a Class 6b incentive to secure industrial tenants to the site, who will likely be third party logistics providers and/or packaging and food related companies. The site will be designed to accommodate 284 car parking stalls.
In Chicago Heights, 1401 Western Avenue LLC, 1401 Western Ave., received a Class 8 incentive for a health care facility. The developer has purchased the property and intends to substantially rehabilitate and lease it. The developer plans to lease the property to Oak Street Health, a provider of primary care centers for adults on Medicare. Oak Street Health has been investing in communities across Illinois, Indiana and Michigan since 2013.
In Harvey, MGR 017 LLC, 210 E. 159th St., received a Class 8 incentive for a truck repair location and trailer drop-lot location.
In Posen, Noble Estate Group LLC, 2425 W. 140th Place, is relocating their trucking business to the property and plans to complete some improvements to the building in order to improve and expand its capabilities to warehouse, dispatch and provide fleet maintenance.
Bob Bong is a freelancer for the Daily Southtown. He can be reached at bobbong@hotmail.com.
