Portillo's Pickup Expansion | Bowling Bankruptcy | New Owners For Sandwich Chain

ILLINOIS — This week in Illinois business news, bankruptcy leads bowling chain to close more than half its locations; Portillo's pick-up-only joins growing in number; and iconic Chicago chain sells to expand.

Additionally, a $31 million price tag on a mansion in the North Shore made Chicagoland history as the most expensive home resale.

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

• Potbelly Is Being Acquired By Gas Station And Convenience Chain RaceTrac For $566 Million
  
• IL Bowling Chain Closing Locations Amid Bankruptcy Filing: Report
• New Portillo's Will Be Company's 4th Pick-Up-Only Location
• IL Gas Prices Up Slightly, But Lower Than Last Year
• Sale Of $31M North Shore Mansion Makes Chicagoland History: Report

The Bottom Line

• Cracker Barrel is suspending plans to remodel its restaurants after catching flack from longtime fans for the chain's logo change.
• Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the opening of new affordable apartments in Englewood this week.

Deal of the Week

In honor of National Guacamole Day on Sept. 16, guests at Qdoba can get a free 8 oz. Guac & Chips with the purchase of an entrée. Later the same week, the chain is offering a free 8 oz. Queso & Chips with the purchase of an entrée for National Queso Day.

More Restaurant News

Tasting DeVine's Liquor License Application Moves To Public Hearing
The public hearing will be held at the Sept. 11 liquor commission meeting in Wheaton, as Tasting DeVine hopes to offer packaged spirits.

The Guild Hopes To Bring Cafe-Restaurant, Bookstore To Former Maypole Space
On Thursday, Wheaton's liquor commission will weigh The Guild's application for a Class A liquor license.

New Bolingbrook Business Aims To Share Yemeni Culture, Create Connection
The locally-owned Yemeni coffee shop offers a unique experience, providing a space for people to gather, and share conversation and culture.

Big Menu Set For Western Springs Restaurant
A representative of the chain has her favorite item – nachos with a twist.

Joliet's 1st Seven-Brew Coffee Has Opening Date In Mind For West Jefferson Street: 4 Photos
Joliet will also be getting a second 7-Brew Drive-Thru Coffeeshop but that one is going south of the Louis Joliet Mall corridor.

16 Vendors Featured In Leather, Ink And Flame Market Coming To Flipside Brewing
Flipside Brewing hosts the themed bazaar with Streetz Artz Alliance on Sept. 14.

'More Than Just A Coffee Shop': New Lenox's Indie 'Grounded Books' Blends 2 Women's Passions
Grounded Coffee Bar has expanded into the two units next door, to open indie bookshop Grounded Books.

More Business News

11 IL Lottery Players Win Big Powerball Prizes In Historic Drawings
Illinois Lottery players took home a total of $2.5 million in the Saturday Powerball drawing.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Planned For Bev's Blooms
The ceremony will welcome the newly opened florist's shop at Town Square Wheaton.

16 Illinois Billionaires Among America's Richest People: See New List
Overall, Illinois has 16 billionaires on the elite Forbes list. They’re worth a combined $132.8 billion.

New Nonprofit Thrift Store Coming to Frankfort
The new 9,000-square-foot store marks the second retail location supporting The Bridge Teen Center.

Major Retailer To Shutter Half Of Its IL Stores This Month
The home furnishings store has deeply discounted its remaining inventory at stores across Illinois.

Lake In The Hills Will Enact Grocery Sales Tax
The village board unanimously approved keeping the tax during a meeting on Aug. 28.

Could Crystal Lake Again Have Two Dispensaries In Town?: Silver Jade Proposed For Route 31 Location
The Crystal Lake Planning & Zoning Commission OK'd opening Silver Jade in the former location of Spark'd dispensary.

Community Meeting Set Wednesday To Hear Proposed Plans For Ford City Mall Re-Development
Ald. Derrick Curtis will host a community meeting Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Richard J. Daley College to hear plans for Ford City Mall re-do.

Bret Michaels Sellout, Patti LaBelle Next: Hollywood Casino Joliet Plans 24 Special Events Annually
Hollywood Casino's new Joliet Event Center is now a major force as a Chicagoland indoor entertainment venue. Bret Michaels is the first act.