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The Orthopedic Center of Illinois, at 1325 Koester Road in Forsyth, is accepting patients.
The services are located within the Central Illinois Urgent Care. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
For several years the building housed the Lebeda Mattress Factory.
According to Dr. Timothy Van Fleet, president of the Orthopedic Center of Illinois, the facility will provide walk-in services. Surgeries will be performed at the local hospitals. “Whatever you need, we’ll be able to provide it here at this office,” he said.
The six doctors, with a staff of three each, have been leasing a portion of the facility for two months. Services include non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions with a variety of subspecialties, such as hand and the upper extremity, total joint, foot and ankle, spine surgery and pain management.
The Urgent Care staff greets all patients as they enter the facility, then directs them to Orthopedic Center of Illinois doctors.
King’s Ice, located in King’s Plaza at the corner of Lost Bridge Road and Mount Zion Road, is marking the arrival of summer with a host of cool, shaved ice treats.
The business is stationed in front of the Brettrick Day Construction, but with colorful decor ideal for the family-friendly outdoor seating area.
Opening hours are 1 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
According to manager Amy Daykin, the staff are able to serve up approximately 100 flavors of shaved ice. “We have different combinations,” she said.
Some are premixed, others are specialties and more are combinations of many. The names of the selections, such as the Titanic with almond, vanilla and blue Hawaiian flavors, and Frog in the Blender with watermelon and lime flavors, were created by the staff. Popular characters are also used to describe a few of the choices, including the Hulk with green apple and pineapple, and Mickey Mouse flavored by black cherry and banana.
“We viewed some of the names from others,” Daykin said. “But I came up with a lot of those myself.”
New toppings were added to this season’s menu. Fruit Loops, marshmallow fluff and Sour Patch gummies can be added to the mixtures. Another addition to the menu is Prairie Farms ice cream. Customers can choose from various flavors with vanilla and chocolate as the standards. “And we’ll probably get the waffle cones and the regular cones,” Daykin said.
The staff at WellNow Urgent Care has opened its doors to clients at 4165 N. Water St., Decatur.
The new facility provides treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, COVID-19 PCR testing, and occupational medicine services from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday of the week.
Walk-in patients will be accepted, or they schedule a visit online.
Doctors will provide services for various conditions such as sprains, burns, colds and allergies as well as on-site X-rays, lab testing and physicals. Occupational medicine services, including workers’ compensation assistance, pre-employment physicals, drug and alcohol testing, and respirator fit exams, are also available on a walk-in basis.
“Injuries and illnesses show up at the most inconvenient times, including evenings and weekends,” said John Radford, M.D., president at WellNow Urgent Care. “Whether you have a sick child on a Sunday afternoon or the sudden need for a COVID-19 PCR test with 24-hour results, we’re proud to be a trusted destination to provide the care that patients need, when they need it, rather than sitting for hours in an emergency room or delaying care.”
Patients can also speak with a WellNow provider virtually. The healthcare provider accepts most insurance.
El Salto, the longtime Region institution, is coming next to Cedar Lake.
The popular Mexican restaurant chain, which has locations in Munster, Schererville, Hobart, Valparaiso, Chesterton and Portage, signed a lease to open a sit-down restaurant in the rapidly growing south Lake County lake town. It's taking over the space previously occupied by 41 Pizzeria & Pub at 13019 Wicker Ave., in the same building as Banter Floors.
The sit-down family-dining eatery known for its fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and guacamole will include a patio for enjoying margaritas and fresh Mexican cuisine outdoors.
Originally founded by the Mendoza family in Valparaiso, the family-owned El Salto serves up authentic Mexican cuisine such as Bistek El Salto, Pollo Ixtapa, Tacos Jalisco, Camarones A La Diabla, Tortas Ahogadas, Molcajete, Alambre and Carne Asada. It's known for a fun and festive atmosphere with flowing libations.
El Salto plans to start construction on its new restaurant in the next few months.
“This will be an excellent location to add to the El Salto portfolio. It is strategically located to capture both the Cedar Lake and St. John residents. With the continued residential boom of this area, the local community will now have a great Mexican dining option," said Latitude Commercial's Brett McDermott, who represented both the tenants the landlord.
For more information, visit elsaltorestaurant.com.
Gary native William Coker, a longtime business owner, reopened Billco Barbershop at 2448 Broadway in Gary after an extensive renovation that gave it a more sleek, stylish, modern look.
The barbershop first opened in Gary in 1994. It employs both barbers and stylists, offering hair care and full beard treatment that includes shampoo, oil treatment, beard enhancement and blowout.
It celebrated a grand reopening last week after remodeling that includes luxurious barber chairs, hardwood floors, a faux fireplace and an eye-catching ceiling with honeycomb lighting.
"I just want to show my appreciation to a community that continues to show its love and support of the Billco brand," Coker said. "Our customers deserve the best, and that's exactly what we're going to give them."
Billco Barbershop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more information, visit www.billco.timetrade.com, call 219-886-1483, email billcobarbershop@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook.
National Vision, the nation’s second largest optical retailer, opened a new America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Portage.
The new store is located at 5938 U.S. 6 in the Portage Commons retail center in Portage. It offers contact lenses, accessories and designer eyeglass frames, including two pairs of eyeglasses for $69.95.
An optometrist at the neighboring eye care practice, Doctors Exchange of Indiana, provides eye exams.
National Vision Holdings operates more than 1,200 stores under the America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vision Centers and Vista Opticals brands. It has a footprint in 44 states and Puerto Rico, including in Walmart and Fred Meyer stores.
Forbes magazine named it a best employer for women, veterans and diversity last year.
Locally, the America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses eyecare chain also has locations in Schererville, Merrillville, Valparaiso, Calumet City and Homewood.
The Portage location is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 219-706-6211 or visit americasbest.com.
A developer is building a new BP gas station and convenience store on Indianapolis Boulevard in Highland.
Highland Chief Building Inspector Ken Mika said it would consist of a 3,600-square-foot gas station and minimart with eight fueling islands. It's located on the northeast corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Hart Road, across the street from Riviera Maya Taco & Tequila Bar and just south of Cask N Cellar Liquors.
The developer is building out a stormwater detention area and leaving part of the site as open space.
"The rear of the property borders the Spring Street ditch where a considerable ditch maintenance easement exists prohibiting anything from being built on it," Mika said.
Taverna Tonelli, an upscale Italian restaurant in downtown Michigan City, closed after losing its lease, but plans to return at a new location that has yet to be announced.
"Taverna Tonelli is no longer in business at 521 Franklin St. in Michigan City as we could not come to terms with the new landlord," the restaurant posted online. "We miss all of our loyal and wonderful customers and look forward to seeing everyone at a new location for our next rendition … updates to follow."
The trattoria served up traditional Italian cuisine like eggplant Parmesan, butternut squash ravioli, lasagna, veal, grilled calimari and Zuppa di Pesce in an intimate, rustic setting. It also had a bar with classy cocktails and a regional selection of wines to pair with the pasta and other Italian dishes.
For more information, follow Taverna Tonelli on Facebook.
New ownership is taking over Lee's at Avia in Munster.
The restaurant at 8350 Hohman Ave. offered takeout of fried chicken and seafood like lake perch, frog legs, jumbo shrimp and walleye pike. It's been serving the Chicago area since 1959.
"It is with bittersweet emotions that I will be closing this chapter of my life with Lee’s at Avia and retiring today," owner Tom Bassetto posted. "I have been running Lee’s for the last 50 years, starting on the East side to Calumet City and finally to Munster, Indiana. I have met many lifelong friends and countless other good people along the way. I cannot begin to fully express my sincere gratitude for your continued support during these 50 years. Thank you for supporting me and appreciating what my dad started so many years ago. I am sure there will be some nice changes coming with the new owners, and we wish them all the best in the future. God Bless."
The long-running restaurant also offers catering.
For more information, call 219-836-2980 or find the business on Facebook.
Buona Beef, the Chicagoland Italian Beef chain, is rolling out a new food truck in Illinois and Indiana.
The fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Italian beef, Italian sausage, egg and pepper Lenten sandwiches and other Chicago favorites, has 26 locations, including in Schererville, Floosmoor, Frankfort and Orland Park.
It will roll out its "Beef It Up" Truck this May to large events and private events like weddings and parties. The food truck can be reserved for group catering for gatherings of up to 1,000 people.
The family-owned restaurant was started in 1981 and remains owned by the Buonavolanto family. It's best known for its thinly sliced and slow-roasted beef that's seasoned with Italian spices, stuffed into French Rolls and then dipped into beef juices to the customer's preference.
For more information, visit buona.com.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Sip, Pico De Gallo, Basecamp Fitness, Polish Peasant opening; Griffith Rentals closed; Lansing bar for sale
Have you opened a new business in Macon County in the past year or so? Maybe you've moved or added another location. Let the Herald & Review help you spread the word about you and your business. Send information to Scott Perry at scott.perry@lee.net or Donnette Beckett, donnette.beckett@lee.net
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"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
“Together Decatur” columnist and food and drink reporter for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois.
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More than 300 students graduated Sunday from Millikin's College of Fine Arts and College of Professional Studies.
In an effort to help Decatur and Macon County businesses fill vacant positions, the Herald & Review is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, May 25.
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