Author: Bob Bong

Bob Bong is a veteran newspaper reporter and columnist. He is the author of "Bob Bong on Business" Bong has covered the south suburbs and South Side of Chicago for more than 40 years. He was editor of The Daily Calumet until 1987 when he moved over to the Daily Southtown after the Cal was acquired by Pulitzer. Since 2013, he has been editor of the Desplaines Valley News based in Summit. He has been writing Comings & Goings for more than 15 years. Comings & Goings also appears in the Southtown, the DVN, the Reporter and Regional newspapers, as well as on the Tribune website. Comings & Goings tracks new businesses coming to the Southland as well as those that are leaving. If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at [email protected]. You can track business openings and closings at http://bobbongonbusiness.com/

Worth’s Crossing Bar and Grill won’t reopen after shooting

February 7, 2022February 7, 2022 Bob Bong No Comments

Worth’s Crossing Bar and Grill won’t reopen after shooting By Bob Bong The Crossing Bar and Grill in Worth, where two men were shot and killed the night of January 10, is permanently closed. The bar had been closed since the shootings. At a village board meeting after the shootings, a resident brought up her…

Crime, Government, News, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Bob Bong on Business: First Midwest Buys Bridgeview Bank

December 13, 2018December 13, 2018 Bob Bong No Comments

Bob Bong on Business: First Midwest Buys Bridgeview Bank Bridgeview Bank sells to First Midwest Community bank deal valued at $145 million By Bob Bong Bridgeview Bank, a community bank founded in Bridgeview in 1971 and which emphasized a personal and small business focus, has agreed to be acquired by First Midwest Bank in a cash…

Business, Features

Bob Bong on Business: Gas N Wash to open second Mokena location

November 16, 2018January 9, 2019 Bob Bong No Comments

Bob Bong on Business: Gas N Wash to open second Mokena location By Bob Bong Mokena-based Gas n Wash has announced it will open a second location in Mokena at 6 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at 19990 S. LaGrange Road. It will be the company’s seventh location. The company also operates Food n Fuel…

Business, Features, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Landek helps cut ribbon on remodeled McDonalds

July 7, 2018January 9, 2019 Bob Bong No Comments

Landek helps cut ribbon on remodeled McDonalds Bob Bong on Business By Bob Bong Salvation Army store closed in Bridgeview The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in Bridgeview remains closed after the front façade of the building came crashing down early last month. The store at 9000 S. Harlem Ave. has been closed…

Business

Rock ’n’ roll restaurant backed by KISS stars coming to Oak Lawn

June 13, 2018January 9, 2019 Bob Bong No Comments

Rock ’n’ roll restaurant backed by KISS stars coming to Oak Lawn Two new restaurants, including one affiliated with KISS stars Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will highlight the beginning of phase two of the Stony Creek Promenade development in Oak Lawn. Rock & Brews is a California-based restaurant chain born out of a post-concert…