Monday, January 21, 2013
Located next to the Oak Forest Metra station, this empty bank space is ready for a new business. Should another bank fill the space, or should someone convert it into something else?
At the corner of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, Oak Forest's Gatway Development is home to CVS Pharmacy and the former home of PNC Bank. The vacant building located at 4290 159th St. features a driveup banking area, offices and a large lobby, along with ample parking. The building, which was built in 2008, is currently for sale by Metro Commercial Real Estate. More information about the building can be found at www.metrocre.com. Patch wants to know, what should go here? Should a different bank take control of the space or should a different business buy the building? Could the building be transformed from a bank into a shop, simple office space or something else? Let us know in the comments below.
Monday, January 14, 2013
When local favorite 2 Sisters Frozen Custard moved to Midlothian, they left a void in locals' stomachs—and the storefront they used to rent, next to Saki Bob. What should go there?
When 2 Sisters' Frozen Custard closed shop in Oak Forest, the store the business called home went up for lease. Located next to Saki Bob BBQ and along the busy 159th Street corridor, the location's distinctive orange awning beckons passersby eyes to the location, but there's no business to call the spot home. The small location could be a great spot for a new ice cream shop to fill the frozen custard void, or should a different small business go in the space? Patch wants to know: What should go here?
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Dotty's, a country-style kitchen restaurant, was approved for a liquor license at the city council's Jan. 8 meeting. The business is currently under review by the building commission and continues to move towards opening soon.
A new restaurant in Oak Forest took another step towards completion at the Oak Forest city council meeting Jan. 8, as the council approved a liquor license for Dotty's, 6070 W. 159th Street. The council approved the move in a unanimous vote, 7–0. According to Community Development Director Adam Dotson, Dotty's is a country-style kitchen with video gambling terminals. He added that the council's approval was only one step in the process towards getting the establishment fully into Oak Forest. “They do have a building permit application in, in the building department,” he said. “They're having their plans reviewed at this moment. But, in order for them to move forward they do need a liquor license approval at this moment.” Dotson added that …
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Oak Forest Commons shopping center has plenty of room for local or national business. Today, Patch spotlights one of the locations within the shopping center looking for a business to call it home.
The Oak Forest Commons shopping center features a Papa John's Pizza, nail salons, Food 4 Less and several other businesses. However, it also features several vacant spots that could be the future home to any number of businesses. On the east side of the commons, the storefront is located near to the far east the center and features a glass store front and ample parking in the massive lot for customers. Located on 159th Street, the location sees thousands of potential customers a day drive past the location. The space features 2,400 square feet of space and is located next to Papa John's and another empty business space. Lease information about the space can be found by contacting Inland Real Estate at 1-888-331-4732.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Located in the Golf View Plaza, the old Star Tailor location is looking for a new business to call the spot home. What Should Go Here?
Nestled in the Golf View Plaza shopping center, the former home of Star Tailor, 6068 159th Street, currently sits unoccupied. Located near several small shops, including Subway, nail salons and a tuxedo shop, the location features heavy traffic on 159th Street and ample parking. The business could once again be the home of a tailor or dry cleaners, or some other type of small shop. Patch wants to know: What Should Go Here? For leasing information about the space, call (630) 242-3996.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
22 businesses opened up shop in the city during 2012, some with new locations or different owners.
From barbershops to loan shops and pizzerias, 22 new businesses moved into the city during 2012. Some were brand new to Oak Forest; others were older businesses with newer locations. The businesses include: The new additions won't be the last, if a recent partnership with a developer is successful. The city will work with MidAm Development Properties to seek out major retailers for a potential retail development in the 5400 block of 159th Street, and as the city continues trying to find businesses to fill the vacancies at the former Community Motors location, also on 159th Street. One business the city won't be seeing is another liquor store. Last week, owners of Stop 'N' Go store applied for a new liquor license and a special use permit…
Monday, December 17, 2012
The NAPA Auto Parts store in Oak Forest closed its doors for the final time after being consolidated into the Palos Hills location. Now, Patch wants to know: What should go here?
Oak Forest gearheads looking for parts, tips or tools for their cars now have one less local place to turn to after the recent closing of the Oak Forest Napa Auto Parts store, 6224 W. 159th Street. The store was consolidated with the Palos Hills location, according to a sign on the building. Customers who drive past the Oak Forest location will note a large semi-trailer in front of the store, with large signs on the front doors noting the consolidation. Inside the store, which also has had its NAPA Auto Parts sign removed from the building's facade, inventory is stacked, wrapped and ready to be moved. With the store gone, Patch wants to know: What should go here? Could a mom-and-pop auto parts store fill in the space, maybe some sort of …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Is the potential opening of Oxygen Teen Nite Club a good thing for the city of Oak Forest and its teenaged and young adult residents? Let Patch know by taking our poll or sounding off in the comments below.
Coming soon to Oak Forest, Oxygen Teen Nite Club will open its doors for area teens and young adults to dance to the latest hit songs, socialize and hang out in a alcohol-free club environment. However, news of the club's pending opening didn't sit so well with some residents, some of whom voiced their opinion on Patch's Facebook Page and news about the new club. Below is a sampling of readers' comments to Patch about the club: Nancy Grace said: “This is the dumbest idea I've yet to hear! Bring on the thugs...and Drugs!!!!! Oak Forest will regret this. Perfect for the ruff area of town to get their drug dealing on.“ Beth said: “I have a teenager & I'm not sure I would want him there. How are they going to separate the 20 somethings from …
Monday, December 10, 2012
Formerly a medical equipment retailer, repair center and rental location, the store at 15534 S. Cicero Avenue is looking for a new business to open up shop in the location. Patch wants to know: What Should Go Here?
It was a former medical equipment sales, rental and repair shop at 15534 S. Cicero Avenue, but now the spot sits vacant and is up for lease. Located in a business strip mall along busy Cicero Avenue, the location features several shared parking spots along the front of the building. The strip mall the business is located in also features several other local businesses, including a wig shop, a shoe repair store, Mrs. O'Brien's Pub and more. The location could be a good spot for any number of locally owned businesses, from a retail shop to a mom and pop eatery or something else entirely. Patch wants to know: What Should Go Here? For leasing information on the space, call 708-687-6700.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade closed its doors, but the location is up for sale and Patch wants to know: What Should Go Here?
It was once Baba's Famous Steaks and Lemonade, but now it's just a husk of its former self. While the building and sign still have the familiar name and logo on display, the restaurant closed its doors and is up for sale. Located at 5220 W. 159th Street, the location is in plain view of 159th Street traffic, and could be the future home of another restaurant or a different type of business entirely. Sitting on a lot of just over 14,000 square feet, the building itself is 1,800 square feet and has access from 159th Street, with ample customer parking in front of the shop. The free-standing building is currently listed at $166.11-per-square-foot, or $299,000 total. The listing for the building says it could be transformed into a sandwich …
41.60308
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5220 W 159th St, Oak Forest, IL
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Mike F.
7:05 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
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