By Bob Bong

The popular Square Celt Ale House in Orland Park announced last week the property had been sold and the restaurant was closing, effective immediately.

The closing announcement was posted on social media.

Restaurant owner Vaughn Hospitality said it would be reaching out to clients who had booked events or made reservations. It also said questions could be emailed to melissa@vaughnhospitality.com.

She did not reply to an email asking about the reason for the sale or if gift cards would be honored at other Vaughn locations.

The property had been listed for sale since April of 2019. The listing price was lowered from $2.5 million to $1.7 million in November. Vaughn did not indicate who purchased the property. Vaughn acquired the property for $1.5 million in 2014.

Square Celt was Vaughn’s only suburban operation and the company still operates two Vaughn’s Pubs, the Emerald Loop Bar and Grill, Corcoran’s Bar and Grill, and the Chicago Brewhouse in Chicago. Square Celt employees have been offered positions at those establishments, the company said.

The business at 39 Orland Square Drive filled the space formerly occupied by Sam Maguire’s Pub.

Hog Wild Express in Mokena closes

The Hog Wild Express restaurant inside the Gas-n-Wash location in Mokena closed its doors earlier this month.

Hog Wild finished up at the gas station/convenience store at 19990 S. LaGrange Road on April 9. It opened in November of 2018.

The company posted the following to its Facebook page: “To all of our Hog Wild Family, after careful consideration and with heavy hearts we have made the decision to close the Hog Wild Express location in Mokena.

“We are grateful to have been able to serve everyone in the community over the years. It was a very difficult decision on our part but due to the struggles we have endured over the past years from the pandemic and my father’s passing, we have decided to keep his legacy alive by focusing on the Midlothian store where the brand was born. Please come see us in Midlothian as we will be there for all of your barbecue and catering needs!

“First of all, I’d like to take the time to say thank you to the community out here in Will County and Lenny’s Gas n Wash, who went above and beyond the duties of a landlord and was amazing to work with. If you ever get the opportunity to work with Lenny and his team do not pass it up. I took a leap of faith four years ago and most of you welcomed us with open arms and supported us the entire way.

“Any gift cards will still be good at Midlothian where I’ll be, and looking forward to adding some new features to the original store. We will continue doing food truck events as well.”

Among the features coming to the Midlothian location will be smoked specials, online ordering, delivery and outdoor seating.

A Hog Wild Express location that opened recently at 551 W. Kennedy in Braidwood will remain open.

A second, full-service Hog Wild restaurant opened as a franchise in January at 4040 W. 111^th St. in Oak Lawn with Richard Wagner as the owner.

Juancho’s Tacos opens new locations

A new Mexican restaurant chain based in Homewood recently opened a new location in Tinley Park and Burbank.

Juancho’s Tacos Bar and Grill opened in February at 7020 W. 183^rd St. in the former Vito & Nick’s location.

Juancho’s got its start at 17949 S. Halsted St. in Homewood in the former Hidden Manna Café. It also operates restaurants in a former Little Caesar’s at 83 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights, the former Jasnak’s at 2011 Sibley Blvd. in Calumet City, and at 6300 W. 79^th. The chain also operates a taco truck at 700 Holbrook Road in Glenwood.

The restaurants offer typical Mexican fare of tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas and dinners.

Beer, wine and liquor are available only at the Chicago Heights and Tinley Park locations.

Messages were not returned.

For information, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/juanchostacos1 or check out their website at https://www.juanchostacos.com.

Bath & Body Works opening soon

Columbus, Ohio-based Bath & Body Works is now expected to open a store at the Quarry Mall in southwest suburban Hodgkins on Friday, May 20.

City officials said the grand opening has been delayed by some fire sprinklers work.

New Lenox Triple Play tickets go on sale May 7

Music fans are already looking forward to this year’s slate of acts for the New Lenox Triple Play Concert Series.

Tickets for the popular event go on sale Saturday, May 7, from 7 a.m. to noon. Any tickets that remain will be available for sale during the Village Hall’s regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash, check, and debit/credit payments are accepted. There is no limit on the number of tickets that may be purchased.

Tickets for the concert series are $90 each and are good for admission to each of the three concerts. Those who are interested in purchasing tickets must do so in person at the Village of New Lenox Village Hall, 1 Veterans Parkway.

The Triple Play Concert Series was started by Mayor Tim Baldermann in 2009 as an annual concert series held on the New Lenox Commons, its purpose is to provide entertainment for the residents of New Lenox and raise revenue to help fund the special events that New Lenox hosts throughout the year.  These events have included movie nights, free concerts, Kids Fest, Christmas in the Commons, and much more.

This year’s acts include: Bottom of Form

Big Head Todd and the Monsters with special guests Freddy Jones Band on June 18; Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with special guest Mark Farner’s American Band on July 23; and Counting Crows on Aug. 27.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com. You can track business openings and closings at http://bobbongonbusiness.com/