Rt. 30 Raffle: Wrap Up Prize Bonanza

Patch concludes our pitch to help establishments hit hard by Rt. 30 construction with seven raffle giveaways.

The Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox Patch sites are partnering with establishments along U.S. Route 30 to help local businesses who are feeling the pinch from that roadway's widening project, which stretches 8.5 miles from Harlem Avenue in Frankfort to William Street in New Lenox.  The L-W Patch sites are currently wrapping up the Rt. 30 raffle, where a random reader can win a variety of prizes provided by Rt. 30 businesses and Patch. To enter, residents needed to sign up for a Patch newsletter at a participating Rt. 30 business.  Our final winners in the Rt. 30 Raffle are: Go to Patch's Official Giveaway Rules if you have any questions. Get news alerts and Facebook updates from the Lincoln-Way Patch sites:

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Who Do You Trust With Your Furnace?

Don't want to be left out in the cold if your heating system doesn't work this winter? Recommend your favorite business that fixes furnace.

If you still thought summer was lingering, last night probably killed that line of wishful thinking. Now that temperatures are dropping, homeowners are beginning to remember that the thermostat on the wall isn't just for cooling the house. But what happens when you turn up the heat, and you find out your furnace is on the fritz? No one wants to go long with a bad furnace during cold temperatures. That's why Patch is asking readers to recommend their favorite business that handles furnaces and other household heating and cooling needs. Give a shout out to that shop by writing a review in our Patch Places business directory. Think of your recommendation as a public service, telling residents the best places to go in Frankfort and Mokena. And…

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Fiancée Couture's Vow to Brides: We're a Unique Wedding Shop (Video)

Owner Maria Isabel strives to be a one-stop store for customers by stocking items they can't find at other bridal shops. Take a look at what the Frankfort business has to offer.

Downtown Frankfort has a wedding photographer, cakes, designers and small boutiques. With all of these businesses already in place—one might be wary of trying to open up a similar shop. But when Maria Isabel brought Fiancée Couture to Frankfort in February, she saw the location differently. "I think this is a nice complement to the town," Isabel said. "The bride can one-stop shop for everything." Doing It All By Herself: Maria Isabel has been a wedding photographer for the past 10 years. Because she knew designers from her native Columbia as well as Venezuela where she grew up, Isabel decided to give selling wedding gowns a try. "I wanted to bring a little bit of my culture here," she said. While she has the support of her friends in the …

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Rt. 30 Raffle: A Week 2 Winner and a New Shop Adds a Tasty Prize

Sweet Dreams Cakes, a newly opened bakery in Frankfort, joins Aurelio's, Caffé Milan, Hawgs 'N Dogs, New Lenox Travel and other businesses in Patch's pitch to help establishments hit hard by Rt. 30 construction.

The Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox Patch sites are partnering with establishments along U.S. Route 30 to help these businesses who are feeling the pinch from that roadway's widening project, which stretches 8.5 miles from Harlem Avenue in Frankfort to William Street in New Lenox. Here's the plan: READ: Frankfort Businesses Struggle as Rt. 30 Construction Continues The L-W Patch sites will hold a weekly Rt. 30 raffle where a random reader could win a variety of prizes provided by Rt. 30 businesses and Patch. To enter, residents need to sign up for a Patch newsletter at a participating Rt. 30 business. Patch will routinely list those businesses where customers can find newsletter sign-up sheets. Residents only have to enter once to be …

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'We Teach You Something Awesome': School of Rock Mokena Inspires Kids to Rock

Need plans for this Thursday evening? Stop by the Irwin Center in Homewood from 7 to 9 p.m. to hear the school's students play for free.

The summer is winding down, and there's not much time left to enjoy the warm weather. If you like free music—and who doesn't—then let the School of Rock Mokena help you make the most of your final days before the cool down comes. For no charge, School of Rock Mokena will perform Thursday evening at Irwin Center in Homewood-Flossmoor from 7 to 9 p.m. after the completion of a battle of the bands competition. The school advises residents to bring a blanket and picnic meal. Why Should You Come Out Thursday Night? "It’s a way to experience something unique," said general manager Joey Kar, comparing the event to watching America's Got Talent. "You’re going to see 10- to 14-year-old kids shredding Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd, Crazy Train … in ways…

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Find the 'Proof' at New Vodka Distillery

A Midlothian man recently made the move from brewing his own beer to distilling—and selling—his own brand of vodka. Mid-Oak Distillery is now crafting homemade vodka right down the street.

If Matt Altman succeeds, the south suburbs may soon be known for their … vodka? Altman, 33, is a lifelong Midlothian resident who has just opened Mid-Oak Distillery at 4704 W. 147th St. in Midlothian’s Tiffany Plaza, where he produces CD Vodka. “I was home brewing my own beer for years, and a friend of ours from New Zealand told us that we should get into craft distilling,” he said, explaining the evolution from home brew master to commercial distiller. “He said craft liquors were going to be the next big thing and here we are.” Altman said the journey has not been without its ups and downs. “If you ask my wife, she’s now on board with this,” he said with a laugh. “But at the beginning …” And making your own vodka certainly isn't cheap. “…

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A Bakery? A Coffee Shop? A Nail Salon? What Should Go In Mokena Mills?

The mixed-use building at 198th and Wolf Road needs some new tenants. Realtos say the spot offers premium visibility and has several empty commercial units in need of tenants. What do you think would fit?

What Should Go Here? Mokena Mills

A sandwich shop? A nail salon? A dentist office? The mixed-use building at 198th and Wolf Road offers premium visibility and has several empty commercial units in need of tenants.

The building at 19806 Wolf Road towers over the train tracks near Front Street—putting it right smack dab in the view of commuters.  It's a prime spot, said realtor Dan Hurley, and they're just waiting for the right tenant to swoop in and put their personal touch on one of the three available commercial units. There are several units open, ranging in size from 1,048 to 1,148 square feet. Ideally, Hurley and the building's owner would like to see something like a Subway or similar sandwich shop. It might also make a good space for a small gym, dentist or doctor's office, or boutique. The open units are sandwiched between an insurance office, a salon and a candy store, and have never been occupied.  The building also houses 24 residential …

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Tell Us What Should Go Here: The Old Clock Tower Gifts

When Clock Tower Gifts quietly closed up shop in January, it left a large and public vacancy at 187th and Wolf. We're curious—what do YOU think should fill this hole?

What Should Go Here? Clock Tower Gifts

Weigh in on what you would like to see at the site of the former Clock Tower Gifts at Wolf Road and 187th Street.

When Clock Tower Gifts quietly closed up shop in January, it left a large and public vacancy at 187th and Wolf. In the same complex as local mainstay Fox's on Wolf and several other stores and salons, the site has visibility, space and, of course, a clock tower with the Mokena logo on it. What would you like to see there? A restaurant? A boutique? Indoor mini-golf? Let us know in the comments below or tell us on Facebook. Sign up for a Patch user account to tell us what you think would be great to go in the site.

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