Business Comings & Goings: AMC Opens MacGuffin’s Bar in Chicago Ridge Mall

Moviegoers who see a show at Chicago Ridge Mall can now enjoy a cold one while catching a flick.

AMC Theatres, which has finished updating the seats and screens at two of the six theaters it operates inside the mall, opened MacGuffin’s Bar and a new concession stand on June 1.

The bar offers beer, wine and cocktails to patrons who can meet before a show, recap a movie they have just seen or take their drink of choice into the theater to enjoy while watching a film.

Opening MacGuffin’s is part of AMC’s plan to expand food and drink options at locations nationwide.

The bar is an homage to famed director Alfred Hitchcock who used the term to describe a plot device that drives the story.

The other four AMC screens and seats at Chicago Ridge Mall are expected to be fully updated by next month.

For more information about the theatre or to order tickets, visit AMC at Chicago Ridge.

Francesca’s Awards 3 Teachers

Francesca’s on 95th has announced the winning teachers in its Facebook poll of the favorite teachers in Oak Lawn.

William Denton, a teacher at , was the top vote getter; Jennifer Jepsen, also a teacher at OLCHS, was the second best vote getter; and Lauren Mandac, a teacher at was third.

They won a $100, $50 and $25 gift card, respectively, from Francesca’s.

 “We wanted to show our appreciation to teachers,” said Francesca’s general manager Paul Frencl.

Francesca’s also is offering teachers 15 percent off their check when dining at the restaurant between now and July 1. Frencl said the discount is good for everyone at the table.

Marquette Bank Holds Appreciation Week

Marquette Bank will be holding its annual Customer and Neighbor Appreciation Week from June 16-23 at branches throughout the Southland.

The bank will kick off the week by holding a Free Family Party featuring Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures on Saturday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orland Park branch at 7560 W. 159th St.

Customers and neighbors are invited to come see Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures show featuring alligators and snakes, enjoy refreshments and participate in fun activities.

Saturday is also Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day at all Marquette locations.  Neighbors are encouraged to join the movement toward local banking and strengthening our local economy.  Stop in at any Marquette Bank location for new customer specials and free credit history reports.

Bank branches also will offer free financial services such as estate planning, retirement checkup, home financing review, and an online bill pay demonstration.

Marquette will offer free document shredding on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at 6316 S. Western Ave. in Chicago, 5700 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest and 17865 S. Wolf Road in Orland Park. Shredding will be offered on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at branches in Bolingbrook, New Lenox and 8855 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Oak Lawn.

For information, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit Marquette Bank.

Bank Sues Strip Mall Owner

U.S. Bank has sued to recover $4.3 million from the owner of the Coral Plaza Shopping Center, according to a story in Crain’s Chicago Business.

The business journal reports that DLC Management Corp. took out a $4.6 million mortgage on the 49,882-square-foot strip mall at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue from Morgan Stanley in 2002. Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is overseeing the loan on behalf of investors who own commercial mortgage-backed securities secured by a pool of loans including the one on the Oak Lawn property. Tenants include Cardinal Fitness, Kinko’s and SleepMed, according to DLC’s website.

Crain’s reported a U.S. Bank representative did not return a call and a DLC representative could not be reached.

Sbarro Unveils New Menu at Chicago Ridge

Sbarro unveiled its new menu on Monday at its restaurant inside Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall. It was one of 10 locations to unveil the new menu, which features made-to-order pasta with new sauces and pasta choices, fresher pizzas, cheese shredded on-site and dough made in the restaurant kitchens.

Farmer’s Market Features Flower Girls

are the featured business at today’s farmer’s market.

Chamber Springs Into Summer

For the sixth year in a row, the will celebrate the approach of summer, pets and all things Oak Lawn from June 15-17. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward the “We the People” exhibit and to put the finishing touches on the 911 First Responders Memorial at the Oak Lawn Metra Station. Hawk Ford and Marquette Bank are key sponsors.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bob@chicago-patch.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.