If Paul E isn't re-opening, Villa Rose should go in there - it used to be a pizza place and Paul made pizzas, too to I'd assume there are pizza ovens in there?

That (Paul E) would be an excellent location for Villa Rose! I always wished that the other location had sit down dining ... even for just a bowl of ice cream! ... so Paul E's space would be perfect AND my family could still walk there!

Villa Rose was the best pizza place in town. It also was one of the only places right in town where young people were welcomed and could gather. It also employed some of Mokena's kids. Finally, you were always served in a friendly manner. This is a tragedy.

Great Lakes bank had a tremendous opportunity to build goodwill and demonstrate that they are a good neighbor and friend of the business community in Mokena. Instead, they behaved like little children and bullies at the same time. This is exactly what happens when dealing with someone (at the bank) that has never owned a business or had the responsibility to make a payroll every week. They play with people's future and well being like its Monopoly money. We've lost a great business in exactly the spot where it was a huge boost to downtown Mokena. The DiSabato family was proud to be in Mokena and worked hard to build a successful business. This is what we get after the government bailed out the banking industry, more greed and less community spirit. Shame on you Great Lakes bank. Trustee Don

Well, another blow to Front Street -- we will survive - opening the market on Front Street last week was a big boost to our street - the financial institutions need to realize that small businesses are having a very difficult time and need to work with all of us to maintain the businesses we have that are operating.The Mokena Downtown Merchants is extending a hand to the Village to work with them to promote the revitalization of the street - keeping businesses open and also move new businesses into now vacant buildings. If we all work together I feel that we can do this - it will take some effort but we can do it.

It is important to note a few phone calls had been placed to the bank. I phoned, Don Labriola phoned and a few others i believe to try to elicit community sensitivity and as Don puts it , goodwill.
Evidently, although Great Lakes likes to take savings and transactions in our town they surely dont seem to want to be a part of the community. In my humble opinion.

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain!! What is the crime of robbing a bank compared with the crime of founding one?
I note that this is just my opinion.... sure dont want to hear the same as Pizza shop, "you will hear from our lawyers". !!

I'm not quite sure why Village and School Board officials think they have the right to intercede in a business deal between a bank and business owner whio is renting from the bank. Nor do I think it is a good idea to bash another business who also pays property tax and employs Village residents. We don't know the whole story - I doubt the bank just up and decided to throw Villa Rosa out on their ear.

When is it closing? We love Villa :(

That's good! Thanks for this update :) We just ordered from there on Sunday, so I was shocked when I heard this.

@Tess & @ Mike....very good ideas and points..PaulE's sit down would be great, kids were welcomed and family dining, walking etc. just what we need!

this is one more reason to make a greater effort to revitalize front street!
Front street is the Real Mokena Image. It deserves a better Day! let's make that happen!
Get the Carpetbaggers out of Mokena! We are not Orland Park South!

Hmmmm!! time for me to change who I bank with. Bye Bye GLB we are putting our assets in another local bank. Also perfectly proper for our village representatives to interced on behalf of the businesses--keeping and creating business opportunities is how the Village Board keeps our tax base. If the trustee was telling it like it was expressed by bank officials then he has the right and the obligation to let his constituents know.

I am glad I don't bank at Great Lakes! It is a sad commentary of our economic times that the two parties couldn't come together. It was so nice having Villa Rosa on Front St. for the families who live in the downtown area and could walk there.