Golden Corral on Randall still in a bit of limbo
In November, Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke introduced Golden Corral franchisee Sam Gibson to an enthusiastic Batavia Chamber of Commerce crowd.
It finally looked like what Schielke had been saying, since 2009, was coming true: The buffet restaurant was going to open soon, at 2030 W. Main St.
But as a Daily Herald reader recently pointed out in our online comments, nothing has happened at the restaurant since then. The building is built and the parking lot paved, but a peek in the windows shows the inside construction and decoration have yet to be completed.
So where does the project stand? When can we expect to see a “Chocolate Wonderfall” in Batavia?
Schielke said he spoke with Gibson last week to find out. Gibson, he said, is buying the property. Liens on the property have to be settled before a bank will agree to lend money to Gibson, Schielke said.
The property is owned by Transwest Partners, LLC of Tucson, Ariz., which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
Transwest is also the subject of a lawsuit brought in Kane County circuit court by unpaid contractors, who have recorded mechanics’ liens against the property. The next court date for those suits is Feb. 21.
And there are three property tax liens on it, totaling $61,735. Those liens were sold at tax sales in October 2009, October 2010 and October 2011.
Schielke said several weeks ago that he expected in several weeks Gibson would be seeking building permits to finish the week. Building Commissioner Jeff Albertson said Tuesday that no applications have been filed.
But Schielke remains confident the restaurant will open.
“I have no reason to doubt what he (Gibson) is telling me,” Schielke said.
Gibson could not be reached for comment.