Business Comings & Goings: Eva’s Bridals Bounces Back

Six months after reopening in its new location, Lawn has just about put the memory of a devastating fire behind it.

“We’re slowly getting there,” said third generation owner Ronia Ghusein on Tuesday. “People are still coming in and congratulating us on surviving.”

As for the new home?

“We love it,” she said with a laugh. “It feels like we’ve been here for 100 years. I thought it would take a lot longer to make the new location feel like home.”

Eva’s even managed to expand during their desperate times by opening a shop in Tinley Park.

“It’s a smaller store so we made it more of a couture shop,” Ghusein said. “We weren’t sure how it would be received. But business has been so good we decided to keep it open.”

As for the Oak Lawn shop, business is almost back to normal and that includes three trunk shows in the next two weeks.

“This is a busy season for brides,” Ghusein said. “Couples get engaged over the holidays and then they spend January, February, March and April planning for a summer wedding.”

The trunk shows are by appointment only (call 708-422-5599) and start Friday with a show by wedding designer Jim Hjelm. His gown collection will be on display from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Mother’s Day.

Also up this weekend is the Sottero and Midgley Trunk Show featuring its Spring Collection. That shows runs all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The James Clifford Trunk Show rolls into town next weekend featuring his couture gown collection. That show runs all day on Friday, May 18, Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20.

For more information on the trunk shows, call Eva’s or visit their website.

Annie’s to Host Chamber

Owner Anne Marie Casey is celebrating her business being open for 30 years by hosting a "Business After Hours" for the from 5-7 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) at 5203 W. 95th St. RSVP to the chamber online or by calling 708-424-8300.

Double Dip for Chamber Next Week

will host a breakfast for prospective members from 8-9 a.m. next Wednesday, May 16, at . Breakfast is free for new and prospective members and $5 for current members. RSVP to the chamber.

That same day, will host a Business After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be appetizers and beverages. RSVP to Jean Fornal at the bank at 708-499-2062.

Whitley to Address Southland Chamber

Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Whitley will tackle key commerce topics as he headlines the Chicago Southland Chamber's Regional Consensus Luncheon on Monday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive.

Whitley will discuss the importance of a chamber membership, what we can do to improve the business environment and Gov. Pat Quinn's job creation policies. A question and answer period will follow.

Chamber officials also will announce the names of the four outstanding high school seniors, sons and daughters of chamber members, who have been chosen to receive Chamber Foundation scholarships of $2,000 each.

The cost is $40 for non-members, $30 for members, and reservations can be made on the chamber website, via e-mail at info@ChicagoSouthland.com or by calling 708-957-6950.

iFix Opens at Chicago Ridge Mall

iFixandRepair, a store that promises to be able to fix broken iPhones, iPods, iPads, cell phones, and Mac or PC computers, opened recently at Chicago Ridge Mall. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

For information, call 708-320-1349 or visit them online.

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.