Business Comings & Goings: Oak Lawn Farmers Market to Return on June 6

This year’s Farmer’s Market in Oak Lawn will be the biggest yet, said Deputy Village Clerk Chris O’Grady, who has been in charge of the annual market for the past seven years.

“We will have 38 spaces this year,” said O’Grady. “When I started seven years ago we had 10 vendors. We have really grown.”

Farmers Market will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 52nd Avenue and Dumke Drive every Wednesday from June 6 to Oct. 17.

O’Grady said there will be five farmers at this year’s market including one returning farmer who sells potted plants.

“I wait until the market starts to buy my plants from him,” said O’Grady. “His potted plants are fantastic and huge.”

“New this year is a cheese vendor,” said O’Grady.

Other vendors will be selling fruits and berries, potatoes, leafy, green vegetables, juices, spices, jellies and jams, bread and pastries, sausages and fresh flowers. There also will be an Amish baker and a knife sharpener.

Oak Lawn Boy Scouts will be serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Polish sausages, chips and soda. Christenson’s Popcorn Wagon will be dishing out snow cones, lemon shake-ups and buckets of popcorn.

“You can find some really nice bargains,” said O’Grady.

She’s also still on the lookout for more vendors.

“I’m looking for an organic farmer,” she said. If there’s one out there, give her a call at Village Hall.

Garden Center Services Gallery Now Open

Burbank-based Garden Center Services, a not-for-profit agency that supports people with developmental disabilities, held its grand opening last week at its new Garden Gallery & Studio at 17459 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

The gallery is designed to help Garden Center clients express themselves through art, said Executive Director Gerry Beagles.

Artwork will be for sale and proceeds will benefit the artists and the gallery.

Beagles said the gallery was a long time coming but worth the wait. He said the studio also will be open to community residents for art classes.

Clients of Garden Center Services have been using the studio for art classes since March.

For information, call 708-560-4400 or visit Garden Gallery.

GSU Offers Business Workshop

CenterPoint at Governors State University is sponsoring a series of "Starting a Business in Illinois" workshops in June for Chicago Southland residents.

The free workshops focus on personal, financial, and legal aspects of starting a business. Participants will learn what steps to take and what resources are available to assist new business owners succeed in today’s challenging economic climate.

Locally, a workshop will be presented Tuesday, June 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights. Dan McAllister, Regional Representative for GSU CenterPoint, will present the program.

For more information, call 708-534-4927 or visit CenterPoint.

Southland Chamber Names New CEO

David Hinderliter was named recently as new President and CEO of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. He fills a position that has been vacant for more than three years.

A Bourbonnais resident with an extensive executive resume, Hinderliter had led the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1993.

“You have no idea how excited I am to be here,” he said to members and guests at the Southland Chamber Regional Lunch on May 14.

The newly tapped Chamber chief expressed an eagerness to get down to business and push forward in his new position. His work is cut out in an organization that has an 85-community footprint.

Running for Hope on Sunday

is sponsoring the 5th Annual Running for Hope 5K Run and Fun Walk at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 3, at Keeler Park at 93rd Street and Keeler Avenue in Oak Lawn. The Kids Dash starts at 9:15 a.m. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. For more information, visit Running for Hope.

Share Your Soles Needs New Home

Share Your Soles Foundation, a non-profit organization that has brought more than 1 million pairs of shoes to desperately impoverished people throughout the world over the past 12 years, has to vacate its warehouse in Alsip by the end of June and is looking for a new home.

Founder Mona Purdy is looking for a vacant warehouse that the group can use. You can contact her at 708-448-4469 or via email at info@shareyoursoles.org.

CUB Offers Help Cutting Utility Bills

on slashing home energy bills at 2 p.m. Thursday at the , 9427 S. Raymond Ave.

At the seminar, residents will learn about programs, rebates and incentives available to help cut energy spending and learn about energy-saving actions that could save hundreds of dollars a year.

CUB will also explain the state’s newly competitive electricity market, helping consumers navigate the dozens of power suppliers currently marketing plans in Illinois.

For information, call 800-669-5556 or visit the Citizens Utility Board.

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.