Gas prices rose to $3.20 per gallon in most of Northwest Indiana last week following a rally during the holidays. AAA reports that the national average for a gallon was $3.28. Gas prices have risen by 15 cents per gallon in Lake County and 22 cents per gallon in LaPorte County since before the holidays.
Indiana and Illinois posted two of the biggest jumps in gas prices nationwide last week as a result of robust holiday road travel. Gas prices climbed 16 cents to $3.24 a gallon in Indiana and 12 cents a gallon to $3.42 a gallon in Illinois.
Crude oil prices rose by 10 cents to $73.77 at the close of trading Friday, after a lower dollar pushed up crude oil prices that started to flag amid global concerns about rising COVID-19 cases in China, according to AAA.
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“As we head toward February, pump prices will likely dip, barring any jolt in the global oil market,” said Molly Hart, spokesperson for AAA-The Auto Club Group. It is possible that the average national prices seen heading into Christmas could have been the lowest for this winter. “
According to
, the average cost of gas was $3.20 per gallon for Lake County, $3.25 in Porter County, and $3.20 in LaPorte County. According to AAA, gas prices in Chicago’s greater metropolitan area averaged $3.52 per gallon, with $3.25 per gallon in Porter County and $3.20 in LaPorte County. According to AAA, gas prices in the greater Chicago metropolitan area averaged $3.52 per gallon. In South Bend, it was $2.21 per gallon. The domestic gasoline stock fell by 300,000 barrels to 222.7 barrels.GasBuddy.comAn estimate of two-thirds (or more) of Americans told AAA that they have changed their driving habits after the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused gas prices to rise worldwide last week. But, I am optimistic that the rises will slow down once refiners are back online. This is because we enter the season when gasoline demand has been at its lowest,” stated Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy’s petroleum analysis team. While gasoline prices have risen, diesel prices are still falling, which bodes well for the economy. We could see gasoline prices drop again if refiners can get back online quickly after previous cold-weather outages. However, the window of opportunity is closing and we will likely see gasoline prices rise by March or February.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Epic Gourmet Popcorn, Miller Beach Cigar Bar, Lumar Taste, Aldi opening; boutique closed
Relocated
Epic Gourmet Popcorn has popped over to Schererville.
The popcorn shop originally opened as Goody’s Gourmet Popcorn at 811 Joliet St. in Dyer in 2017 and was later taken over by new owners who rebranded it Epic Gourmet Popcorn.
This popcorn shop, which used to be located in downtown Crown Point, now has a new location at 248 W. Lincoln Highway. There are also specialty popcorn flavors such as Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel, Epic Caramel Pecan and Banana Pudding.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Epic is owned by founders Bill Rossi and Dan Earles. It’s the first and only popcorn company certified by the national Washington, D.C.-based LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and it aims to promote kindness and inclusivity, with EPIC standing for encouragement, peace-of-mind, inspiration and compassion.
“Epic Gourmet Popcorn is best known for its grand selection of playful, flavorful and ‘epically’ satisfying gourmet popcorn,” the company said in a news release. Epic Popcorn is handmade in Schererville (Indiana), and offers 5-star service, unbeatable price, and a variety of flavors that will please popcorn lovers. You can also order personalized gifts online and in-store, as well as popcorn bars, corporate gifting and fundraising favors. “
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Smoke them if you’ve got them, maybe with a nice glass of wine.
Dialogue Wine Bar in Gary’s Miller Beach neighborhood has expanded next door, opening the sister business Miller Beach Cigar Bar.
Miller Cigar Bar occupies a 1,200-sqare-foot space with 45 seats, including couches and comfortable lounge furniture.
“It has an intimate, cozy, relaxing feel,” she said.
It has been open for Thursday Night Football but will be open longer hours after a grand opening Dec. 3.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
A full bar will offer domestic and imported beers, wine, spiked sangria, whiskey, bourbon, tequila and other higher-end liquors. It’s looking to add India Pale Ales from 18th Street Brewery down the street.
It evolved out of Dialogue, a combination wine bar and bookstore.
“We were letting people smoke cigars in our back room and they were always asking if we sold cigars,” she said. “So, when the space opened next door, we received a tobacco license. “
The twinned businesses will have complementary vibes, but they will have different vibes. Dialogue will have more DJs and events while Miller Beach Cigar Bar will have more relaxed music and sports on the television, including football and basketball.
“It’s the perfect marriage,” she said. It’s a place where you can drink and relax. It’s a place where you can relax and have a good conversation. It’s sophisticated and grown. “
The modern interior is a mix of shades of brown, Burgandy, and navy blue. It’s well decorated. It feels like a basement. Flavored cigars are a great way to start if you’re new to the hobby. The smoke is not irritating and it’s well ventilated. “
Joseph S. Pete
Miller Beach Cigar Bar will host events like ladies’ nights. She hopes to eventually expand the business to more locations.
“We want to expand,” she said. “We would like to expand this idea of two businesses in one place. “
A ribbon cutting is planned for December. There will be live music and a celebration of Blakemore-Tatum’s birthday in the cigar bar and neighboring Dialogue.
Miller Beach Cigar Bar will be open 4-11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit
or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closed
The shop at 567 S. Lake St. sold women’s clothes, accessories, shoes, purses home decor and beach gear in Gary’s Miller Beach not far from the Lake Michigan beaches. This boutique for women was closed in 2010. It sold the most recent fashions and also carried Mary Kay makeup.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming Soon
A developer plans on developing a 12.4-acre parcel at 8300 Clay St., Merrillville. This lot is near Clay Street and U.S. 30, in Merrillville.
Plans call to build storage units and light industrial warehouses of 10,000-15,000 square feet. Construction starts this winter.
The first storage unit and warehouse are expected to come online in the second quarter of next year, according to a press release from Latitude Commerce, the Crown Point-based commercial real estate agency that represented the buyer in the transaction.
“The overwhelming demand for storage units and warehousing, along with the difficulty of finding suitable land for this type of construction, made this a very desirable site,” Office Group Director Antony Miocic said. “We are excited to bring an in-demand product on the market and to bring jobs and businesses to this region.”www.dialoguewinebar.com
Joseph S. Pete
Aldi reopened its newly renovated store in south suburban Glenwood.
The German retailer, known for its efficiency, low headcounts and basement prices, overhauled the store at 18901 S. Halsted St. It now features more natural lighting, open ceiling, environmentally friendly materials and an expanded fresh and convenient food selection.
“We have invested in remodeling our stores to ensure they are designed to make grocery shopping smarter, faster and easier,” said Heather McCarthy, Valparaiso regional vice president for ALDI. The new Glenwood Aldi will offer more convenience and fresh products at low prices. It carries a number of imported European goods as well as gluten-free, organic and plant-based options, as well as wine, cheese and dairy alternatives.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email
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Joseph S. Pete
WATCH HERE: 219 News Now 11/23/22
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