WHERE DO YOU SHOP NOW THAT THE ORLAND PLAZA IS NOW GONE?

Since Randy’s closed in July my family has had a tough time in finding a new supermarket/meat market. If you were a Randy’s customer you know what I mean. It was always a pleasure to go to Randy’s on a Wednesday to shop for groceries and meat. Wednesday was Seniors Day (5% discount) and Thursday double coupon day. The staff was always friendly and helpful. Dave the butcher was available to help in selecting or seeing that you got that special cut of meat you wanted. He was there to guide and help you with advice on how to prepare your meats. Rick the store manager/owner was always moving about checking stock, refilling shelves, helping the checkout and bagging orders. Since then, we have tried numerous stores and haven’t found one comparable to the service, prices and quality of Randy’s. I don’t know if we’ll ever find that satisfaction, but we keep looking.

I considered Randy’s to be the anchor for the Orland Plaza; it was the main stop that led you to the bakery next door. Remember paczki day? I love the rye bread and coffee cakes. It was the place to order cakes for special occasions. It was a one stop venture. The bakery may be re-locating but the convenience of one stop shopping has been lost.

While in the mall you could have your watch fixed, clothes cleaned, buy flowers, liquor, get new shoes, get a haircut and more and top it off with breakfast/lunch at the Café and/or lunch or dinner at Lang Lees. That was convenience. Where in the area can you now find a mall with such versatility? These were proud independent store owners who had taken the risk, energy and monies to build their businesses. They were the example of what America is about. There were no vacancies.

So as we now trudge along on Wednesdays, going from stop to stop, wasting gas and time, we think of what we had and is now gone. We think of the goodwill that these people bestowed upon us. It was something good with true meaning. Unfortunately, the Village thought differently. In my opinion they didn’t understand the good and the values that these businesses brought to Orland Park. They used their power and influence to bring change. Change in values and the destruction of something that was exceptional in today’s market place, pride in ownership. They wanted to take us in a new direction. They failed to consider the most important thing in life, people. This was to be their vision of a new and dynamic society. The family values of the old Orland Park were to change. There was to be a transition. The Village was taking us into the future. They were thinking in terms of a mobile, young, social, liberal, modern society. They were preparing us for a new Orland Park. I don’t know if that is your vision? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Change doesn’t always make something better; you have to measure what is being lost.

In short order the buildings will come down and the mall will only be a memory. We’ll miss the mall, the service and feeling of friendship and family. It’s a sad day as we watch a part of history fade away. The small store owner is becoming extinct as they are replaced by larger chains and franchises. It’s not the same. We’re losing our traditions, we’re losing our past. The only thing I can say is “We’ll Miss You Guys”. Thank You, Good Bye, Good Luck, God Bless.