Paisans Pizza eyes May opening in Oak Lawn

By Joe Boyle

Paisans Pizzeria is a step closer to opening in Oak Lawn with the approval of a liquor license for the establishment that will be part of the Stony Creek Promenade.

Plans for the restaurant were originally approved at an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting in March of 2022. Tom Phelan, the village manager, said Paisans is scheduled to open sometime in May.

An ordinance authorizing the issuance of a new class MV liquor license by the village for the new Paisans Pizzeria, which will be located at 4900 W. 95th St., was approved during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on Tuesday night.

The board also approved the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s unanimous recommendation for a Class MV (full-service restaurant with bar and video gaming) liquor license for Paisans Pizzeria.

Paisans Pizzeria also has locations in Berwyn, Brookfield, Cicero and Chicago’s West Lawn neighborhood.

The board also authorized the issuance of a new Class HV liquor license by the village for Hashtag 95, 6260 W. 95th St., which ownership described as a “High end breakfast restaurant” that will include an outdoor enclosed patio that will be open for the summer months.

Ownership said they expect the restaurant to open by Mother’s Day.

Infrastructure funds

Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) announced at Tuesday’s meeting that through the efforts of Mayor Terry Vorderer and the Southwest Conference of Mayors, $1.5 million will be set aside for infrastructure improvements over the next five years.

“I want to thank the mayor and the trustees for their help on this matter,” Olejniczak said. “In the 19 years that I have been a trustee, I have not seen this kind of money for infrastructure.”

Summer concerts

Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) said that the Fourth of July Parade will actually be held starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, along 95th Street. A concert will follow the parade at 6 p.m.

The Summer Concert season will be held on Sundays, June 2 and 23, July 14 and 21, and Aug. 4 and 18. The concerts will be held at a new time from 6 to 8 p.m., Mallo said.

“With the early time, we hope to get more people to come out because it won’t go as late,” Mallo said.

Hometown Heroes

Oak Lawn resident Mike Sutko mentioned during the public forum format that he and others plan to introduce a Hometown Heroes program for the village. Sutko said that he has driven through Alsip and Worth and noticed banners with photos of past and current veterans.

“I wondered why we couldn’t do that? I brought it up to Mayor Vorderer and it got going. I want to thank Bill Meyer for all his help,” Sutko said.

Vorderer said that more information about the program will be given at an upcoming meeting.

Honor Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Gold Awards were presented to Maddie DeBleyzer, Aine Kelly and Lily O’Dea for outstanding service for the community.

DeBleyzer was honored for collecting toys for young patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital. She has collected hundreds of items for the Treasure Box program.

Kelly was recognized for creating a newspaper at Richards High School.

O’Dea was recognized for providing a box at the Oak View Community Center Building of the Oak Lawn Park District to collect used dancing shoes for young dancers who can’t afford new ones.