Rt. 30 Raffle: Wrap Up Prize Bonanza

Patch concludes our pitch to help establishments hit hard by Rt. 30 construction with seven raffle giveaways.

The Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox Patch sites are partnering with establishments along U.S. Route 30 to help local businesses who are feeling the pinch from that roadway's widening project, which stretches 8.5 miles from Harlem Avenue in Frankfort to William Street in New Lenox.  The L-W Patch sites are currently wrapping up the Rt. 30 raffle, where a random reader can win a variety of prizes provided by Rt. 30 businesses and Patch. To enter, residents needed to sign up for a Patch newsletter at a participating Rt. 30 business.  Our final winners in the Rt. 30 Raffle are: Go to Patch's Official Giveaway Rules if you have any questions. Get news alerts and Facebook updates from the Lincoln-Way Patch sites:

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Polka Dots and Ponytails: Owner Wants to Create Good Memories for Kids, Parents

Judy Hopman, owner of Polka Dots and Ponytails, talks about her business, new art classes and making a video for Patch.

You hear the name Polka Dots and Ponytails, and you might think, "No boys allowed!" That's not the case with this four-year business. Patch spent a few minutes with owner Judy Hopman duirng a taping of a promotional video and learned a few things. "Because we know a lot of girls who have boys as best friends, we developed princess and pirate parties," Hopman said. "While the girls dress up as princesses, the boys put on pirate costumes. For the older crowd (6- to 12-year-olds) there are the co-ed painting parties. Because boys like to use that medium in paint and drawing." While visiting the party place, two young girls came in with their mom to book a party. Seeing the stage and costumes, they squealed with delight. One of the girls …

• Photos (10)

Fall Fest Survival Guide: Vendors Aren't the Only Ones With Deals

Don't forget what downtown shops have to offer during the festival. Plus, a look at what's on tap for Friday.

With about 300 arts and crafts vendors, Frankfort Fall Festival attendees might experience a bit of shopping sensory overload, trying to make sure they don't miss out on that special piece of merchandise or that great bargain. READ: Check Out the Entire Fall Fest Schedule But that killer shopping instinct can make some people overlook the fact that Frankfort's downtown stores are open during the festival, even if they're literally overshadowed by the lines of vendor tents. Here are some of the local establishments you can check out that offer similar fare as many of the visiting artisans. If You're Looking for Clothing and Accessories: If You're Looking for Crafts and Gifts: If You're Looking for Fine Arts: If You're Looking for Pets: Chew…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Rt. 30 Raffle: A Week 2 Winner and a New Shop Adds a Tasty Prize

Sweet Dreams Cakes, a newly opened bakery in Frankfort, joins Aurelio's, Caffé Milan, Hawgs 'N Dogs, New Lenox Travel and other businesses in Patch's pitch to help establishments hit hard by Rt. 30 construction.

The Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox Patch sites are partnering with establishments along U.S. Route 30 to help these businesses who are feeling the pinch from that roadway's widening project, which stretches 8.5 miles from Harlem Avenue in Frankfort to William Street in New Lenox. Here's the plan: READ: Frankfort Businesses Struggle as Rt. 30 Construction Continues The L-W Patch sites will hold a weekly Rt. 30 raffle where a random reader could win a variety of prizes provided by Rt. 30 businesses and Patch. To enter, residents need to sign up for a Patch newsletter at a participating Rt. 30 business. Patch will routinely list those businesses where customers can find newsletter sign-up sheets. Residents only have to enter once to be …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

De Paulo Travel Holds Disney Grand Opening

The travel agency will be booking Disney vacations Saturday, Aug. 25, and customers can enter to one a special gift.

Although De Paulo Travel moved to its new location at 103 Bankview Dr., in June, that doesn't mean it can't have a grand opening in August. And the travel agency, which has been in Frankfort for 32 years, is doing the grand opening Disney-style. READ: Mariano's Ripple Effect: De Paulo Travel to Relocate This Weekend As an authorized Disney vacation planner, De Paulo Travel will be making Disney reservations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Each vacation booking will allow customers one entry for a Disney gift giveaway. De Paulo Travel relocated as part of the land deal that's bringing Mariano's Fresh Market to Frankfort. The agency will be holding two more grand openings after this one, scheduled for September and October, said …

• Photos (1)

Kup A Joe: Owner Continues to Build Breakfast Business (Video)

Learn how the new breakfast-and-lunch restaurant that took over in Plaza Cafe's old location is doing. Plus, watch video footage from inside the eatery.

Kup A Joe owner James Garofalo is no stranger to the breakfast café business. After opening up Egg and I restaurants in both Chicago Heights and Tinley Park, Garofalo decided to bring his breakfast and lunch dining experience to Frankfort on April 16. His new establishment opened in the old location for Plaza Cafe, which closed in January because of tax issues. “This is an ideal location in Frankfort, and it’s the only existing breakfast location in the main part of town,” Garofalo said. How Has Business Been Since the Opening? "We had to build up our traffic, since (there was no recent activity at the location),” Garofalo said. “It’s been a little difficult trying to get people to know we’re here. … So we’re doing our best.” Who Works …

• Videos (1)

New Prizes, Businesses Join Patch's Rt. 30 Raffle

Show your support for U.S. Route 30 shops and restaurants through these tough construction times by participating in Patch's raffle. Find out how you can help and be rewarded for your good deed.

Little Joe's Will be 'Different Experience' When it Opens in Frankfort

The Frankfort location won't be quite like the Little Joe's Famous Pizza restaurants in New Lenox and Tinley Park, the owners say. Doors at the new space should be open by next month.

As residents of Frankfort, the owners of Little Joe's Famous Pizza, which has locations in New Lenox and Tinley Park, have always wanted to open an eatery in the village. Although it's taken longer than they had hoped, setting up a pizza place in their hometown will soon become a reality. The Village Plan Commission recommended Thursday the approval of special use permits for outdoor dining and a liquor license for a Little Joe's location in the Crown Center Building on Lincoln Way Lane in the storefront that formerly housed Smooth Joe's Cafe. The Frankfort Village Board now needs to give final approval. READ: Little Joe's Pizza to Open Frankfort Location "I'm excited you guys are coming," said Commissioner John Newton. "I've always …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

lala

8:57 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013

You should go to a village board meeting and ask questions.   more ›

UPDATED: Support Rt. 30 Businesses Through These Tough Construction Times

The continuing delays and aggravation of the U.S. Route 30 widening project are putting many businesses in the construction zone in a financial crunch. But Patch has a plan to help ease the pain a bit. Find out how you can help.

Stop me if you've heard this one. It's a little joke going around the Lincoln-Way area about the U.S. Route 30 widening project, which began last summer and appears to have no end in sight. It goes something like this: IDOT says the construction on Rt. 30 will be done by November. They just haven't said what year. (Cue rimshot) It's the kind of joke that musters a chuckle or two because it falls into that vein of "it's funny 'cause it's true" humor. But when you're a business whose livelihood depends on customers being able to find your parking lot, the continuing construction delays aren't amusing. In fact, they're devastating. Some stores and restaurants have even lost about 50 percent of their business because of the widening project. …

• Photos (1)