Pizza Icon Celebrates Taylor Swift, Drug Store Giant Sells, Beloved Bar Celebrates 80 Year

ILLINOIS — This week in Illinois business news, Lou Malnati's celebrates iconic lover girl Taylor Swift's engagement; a beloved bar kicks off 80th anniversary celebrations; and spooky season is beginning to creep in.

Additionally, a suburban brewery partnered with the family of a fallen soldier to create a beer that pays tribute to his memory.

Check out this week's top headlines for Illinois business news on Patch:

• Nick's Tavern Celebrates 80th Anniversary
• Sale Of Walgreens Complete: Fate Of IL Headquarters Also Decided
• Taylor Swift Engagement Brings Back Heart-Shaped Pizza At Lou Malnati's
• Spirit Halloween To Open 53 Stores In IL: Here's Where
• Suburban Brewery, Family Of Fallen Solider Collaborate On 'Infantry' Beer To Benefit Veterans Charity

The Bottom Line

• A South Side Chicago institution honored the 100-year anniversary of the historic founding of the Pullman Porters' Union, which represents train workers.
• Business investments in several sectors are expected to create nearly 19,000 new jobs in the state, according to a new report.

Deal of the Week

National Cheese Pizza Day is Sept. 5 and pizzerias are offering deals to celebrate, including:

• Domino's is offering a medium-sized pizza for $5.99
• Papa John's is offering 50 percent off on cheese pizzas when ordered online. Papa John’s reward points are also going to be doubled on September 5.
• Paisans Pizzeria and Bar is offering an 18-inch cheese pizza for $12.99 at its various Illinois locations.

More Restaurant News

Sweets And Savory Crawl Planned In Lockport
Enjoy food and drink options from several Lockport restaurants on the annual crawl.

This Suburban D.C. Cobb's Has Closed Due To 'Financial Challenges'
The three other suburban D.C. Cobb's restaurants in the far northwest suburbs remain open.

New Taco Dale Cantina Opens: 'We Are Proud To Call Oswego Home'
The restaurant took over the downtown Oswego space formerly occupied by Tap House Grill.

Touche French Creole Extends Hours With New Happy Hour
The restaurant, which opened earlier this year, held a trial run of happy hour in July before deciding to offer it permanently.

Family Of Toddler Killed In Oswego Portillo's Crash Sues Restaurant Chain
The suit accuses Portillo's of "gross negligence" by allowing cars to park in front of the entrance without installing safety barriers.

Baby's Cheesesteak & Lemonade, Plush Horse Ice Cream Both Coming To Joliet Next Month Thanks To John Bays
Joliet Patch interviewed M.J. Sughayer, whose family owns The Original Baby's Cheesesteak and Lemonade and Plush Horse Ice Cream.

Jack In The Box Is Back In Tinley Park, New Restaurant Now Open
The Cali-based chain turned on the lights in Tinley Park, as the suburban locations steadily open in its return to Illinois.

Irish-Themed Brewpub Aims To Open On Curtiss Street In Downers Grove
The village's liquor commission recently approved the Irish pub and brewery's application for liquor licenses.

Piccolo Buco Opens At Block 59 In Naperville
The Roman-inspired restaurant, which falls under the umbrella of Cooper's Hawk, opened Aug. 25.

More Business News

These 10 Illinois Companies Ranked Among Best Places To Work
The list, compiled by Fortune and Great Place To Work, includes the top 100 small and medium companies.

Lake County Municipality Opts Out Of Grocery Sales Tax Hike
Village officials in Mundelein informally chose not to enact a 1 percent grocery sales tax hike on Jan. 1 when the state tax disappears.

New Precious Metals Dealer 'Eager To Assist' In Glenview
RJBullion, specializing in the buying and selling of bullion such as gold, silver, and platinum, recently opened at The Glen Town Center.

Construction To Start Soon On Mystery Oswego Grocery Store: Report
Site work has begun on the new grocery store that will be constructed at the intersection of Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive.

Popular Aurora Vintage Store Is Relocating To Batavia
The new location will house nearly 50 vendors on one floor spanning 8,000 square feet.

Montgomery Man Wins $200,000 After 1st Choice Lottery Ticket Sells Out
After his first ticket choice was sold out, a Montgomery man opted for a 7X Bingo Multiplier scratch-off ticket and won a grand prize.

Saturday’s Powerball Jackpot Swells To $1B: How To Play In IL
Illinois Powerball players have another shot at scoring a life-changing fortune in Saturday's Powerball drawing, that could break $1 billion

Patch's Big List Of Lucky Places To Buy Powerball Tickets For Saturday's Drawing In Chicagoland
Powerball mania has gripped Chicagoland, with a projected jackpot of over $1 billion for the drawing on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Hinsdale Retailer Among 'Winningest' For Lottery
The Illinois Lottery released the ones that sold the most tickets so far in 2025.

Process May Be 'Rigged' For Darien Shopping Center: School Official
A school official asked why the owner needs a subsidy if he is ready to start the project.

Burr Ridge Mansion Priced At $10 Million
It would be the most expensive ever in the village if sold at that price.

Opening Date Set For Pete's Fresh Market In Tinley Park
The grand opening for the massive Pete's Fresh Market on Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park is set, the company announced on social media.