Business Comings & Goings: Theater Remodeling Complete at Chicago Ridge Mall

AMC has finished updating the seats and screens at its six theaters inside

As part of the renovation, which offers moviegoers beer, wine and cocktails to enjoy before, after and even during a movie.

'Build It and They Will Come'

The dream of Oak Lawn residents Michael and Denise Stillman to turn the site of the classic baseball movie “Field of Dreams” into All-Star Ballpark Heaven continues to move ahead.

City officials in Dyersville, Iowa, voted last week to rezone the site from agricultural to commercial, which was needed for the Stillmans’ plan to build a 24-field baseball and softball complex on the land. Dyersville officials annexed the land in July.

“This was absolutely a step forward,” said Denise Stillman.

“We are still on target to close on the land at the end of August or early September,” she said.

The Stillmans and the other investors, operating as Go the Distance Baseball LLC, announced last October they had a deal to buy the movie site, including the baseball diamond, the house with the familiar front porch, six outbuildings and a 193-acre parcel.

“Once complete, the complex will be a site for tournaments and training as well as tourism,” she said. They also plan to upgrade a restaurant on the site.

Iowa state officials are on board with the plan and

For information, visit them online at All-Star Ballpark Heaven or check out their Facebook page.

Saint Xavier to Host Southland Chamber

will host a Business after Hours from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday in the Butler Reception Room for the Southland Chamber of Commerce and other local business professionals.

Hostess Store Survives Run In With Car

It is business as usual at the Hostess/Wonder Bread outlet store at 87th Street and Ridgeland Avenue even though the store’s front window is boarded up after a run-in with a car last week.

An employee at the store said Tuesday the damage happened last week when a motorist accidentally drove into the standalone building at 6420 W. 87th St. in Burbank after hours.

One employee was in a back room at the time, but was not injured.

“We have our open sign on, so I hope people know we are open,” the employee said.

Ashro Opening at Ford City

Ashro, an Afrocentric women’s clothing store, is expected to open this week at Ford City Shopping Center, 7601 S. Cicero Ave.

Where to Win Justin Bieber Tickets

If you want the chance to win concert tickets to Justin Bieber's Believe Tour on Oct. 23, head to the Ford City Shopping Center Food Court on Saturday from 2-3:30 p.m.

YRC Settles Lawsuits

Overland Park, Kansas-based YRC Freight, a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide Inc., has voluntarily settled two class action lawsuits alleging racial discrimination and harassment at its Chicago Ridge terminal, which closed in 2009. The lawsuits were brought by a group of former Chicago Ridge employees and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The settlements require court approval and do not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the company or any of its employees.

Illinois Veterans Office Moves to Harvey

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Service Office in Blue Island has moved in with the Illinois Department of Human Services at 16845 S. Halsted St. in Harvey. The new location will be staffed by Charles Lawrence. The new phone number is 708-225-8030 and the new fax number is 708-225-8032. Office hours will be daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.