Dentist set to open in former Grayslake pizzeria
Vacant for nearly the past three years, the former Pat's Pizza building in Grayslake is getting new life.
But instead of sauce and cheese, the workers will be dealing with teeth in a new dental facility on a section of Route 83 also called Barron Boulevard. All Kids Dental & Orthodontics is scheduled to open in the former Pat's on Dec. 15.
Grayslake village board members recently approved $75,000 in economic incentives for All Kids as a part of its move to the Pat's site for the growing business. All Kids is moving from much smaller space on Center Street in downtown Grayslake.
Kevin Timony, assistant to the village manager in Grayslake, said the incentive deals are judged on a case-by-case basis. He said the financial assistance for All Kids was justified based on an expectation the business eventually will add about 20 full- and eight part-time employees while opening on what's been a vacant building.
"They're doing a substantial investment in the property," Timony said Wednesday.
Dr. Scott Goldman, an All Kids dentist, said 15 new full- and part-time employees have been hired. He said the list includes six full-time dental assistants, four full-time office administrators, a part-time hygienist and a part-time oral surgeon.
Those who patronized Pat's won't recognize the facility that shuttered after a 31-year run.
Goldman said the flooring had to be leveled, the roof fixed and a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system installed. It also was necessary to install new plumbing, wiring, windows and siding, he said.
"The entire process to convert the pizza place to a dental office took about a year and a half," he said.
All Kids is a practice that serves entire families with specialists in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery. The new Grayslake office also will have a room for children with a large flat-screen television with Netflix running throughout the day.
Pat's closed in January 2012. Owner Pat Harris at the time cited declining sales because of a difficult economy and other factors.
Grayslake last tapped into its economic development money pool in August. That's when the village board approved a $100,000 development incentive agreement with Grayslake-based Nage One LLC to revitalize what's commonly known as the Cupola building at 2 S. Lake St.
Nage plans to covert the vacant 98-year-old Cupola structure into a banquet facility and restore its original appearance in downtown Grayslake.