Business Comings & Goings: Little Company Urgent Care Center Opens

opened a new urgent care center this week at 6700 W. 95th St. in the former Bally’s Fitness Center.

The 45,000-square-foot center features physician offices, a lab, diagnostic imaging suite capable of performing MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, X-rays and mammograms, and parking for 172 vehicles. The Care Station offers walk-in immediate care, physician visits, and lab, X-ray and EKG services as well as occupational medicine services.

The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Busy Times at Chicago Ridge Mall

Three new stores opened in the past week at Chicago Ridge Mall.

Crazy 8 children’s clothing store opened last week. The national chain has fashions and accessories for kids from newborn to size 14. The store is located near American Eagle and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 708-499-0840 or visit them online at Crazy 8.

Kids Foot Locker also opened last week at the mall in the Aldi Court. The national chain sells athletic shoes, apparel and accessories for children. For information, visit them online Kids Foot Locker.

Wetzel’s Pretzels opened this week at the mall. The chain sells soft-baked pretzels and is usually found in shopping malls. For information, visit them online at Wetzel’s Pretzels.

Potato Shop Closes in Evergreen

Potayto Potahto has closed at 2849 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park.

Originally, on its Facebook page, the store said it was closed because the owner needed to rest per doctor’s orders. Yesterday, the page was updated to say it lost its lease to Pizza Hut. The owner says she is looking at opening in a new location on 111th Street near Kedzie.

Polish Fest This Weekend at Toyota Park

The second annual Southside Polish Fest will descend on Toyota Park in Bridgeview this weekend.

The three-day family-friendly festival starts on Friday and will feature live music, traditional Polish dancers, carnival rides and Polish food and beer. The music will include polka, Polish dance music and local cover bands.

Last year’s inaugural fest attracted more than 37,000 visitors and organizers expect even more this year.

Back this year will be Chicago’s Original Pierogi Eating Contest. Last year, John Pavinski beat a field of nine competitors by devouring 30 pierogis in five minutes.

Festival hours are from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, and from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

General admission for adults 12 and older is $10 ($5 from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Kids 12 and younger are free. Military personnel in uniform and carrying active military ID are also free. Parking is free.

For information, call 708-378-0102, or visit them online at Southside Polish Fest.

Stachon Elected Commander of Illinois VFW 

Joseph Stachon, past commander and life member of Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn, was unanimously elected commander of the Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars at the group’s state convention in July. 

Stachon, of Palos Heights, served in the Army in Vietnam from January 1968 to October 1969. He was forced out of the Army after being wounded. He received a National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Parachute Badge.

Stachon served as Post Commander 10 times and All-State Commander four times. He also holds offices in the Military Order of the Cooties Pup Tent 42.  He served the 3rd District in a number of offices including Commander in 2002 and currently serves as District Quartermaster.

Stachon retired from the Chicago Police Department after 30 years of service, and is an active member of FOP Lodge 7 and the Retired Chicago Police Association.

He is a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 575, a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84, treasurer of American Legion Post 757, a member of the 173rd Airborne Association, a member of Chapter 242 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Vice President of the Oak Lawn Athletic Club, member of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, a member of Oak Lawn Elks Lodge 2254 and commissioner on the Palos Heights Veterans Commission.

Chamber to Host Luncheon

The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Hilton Oak Lawn, 9333 S. Cicero Ave.

All events are open to members and business owners.

Call the chamber office at 708-424-8300 or email office@oaklawnchamber.com to reserve a spot.

Cost is $20 payable by cash, check or credit card.

Sox Great Billy Pierce to Sign Books 

White Sox pitching great Billy Pierce will be signing copies of Like Night and Day, A Look at Chicago Baseball, 1964-1969 from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, at The Bookie’s Paperbacks & More at 2419 W. 103rd St. in Chicago’s Beverly community. 

Photos will be available for purchase and fans may bring their own items to be signed for $10. This is a fundraising event, with a significant portion of the proceeds directed to Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities.

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.