Officials hope new businesses will occupy vacant downtown space next month

Two businesses in downtown East Dundee have closed, but building owner Tom Roeser is optimistic new businesses will be moving in soon.

Pasquale's Pizzeria & Delicatessen and Sweet Pop Fizz, a novelty candy store, were closed just days ago because of problems with management, said Roeser, who is also the president of Otto Engineering in Carpentersville. The two businesses were located at 310 and 320 River St.

However, he has been approached by two different people interested in replacing Pasquale's with another restaurant.

"That's our goal, to get those spaces occupied," Roeser said.

Village President Lael Miller said he expects new occupants in July.

The two businesses, both of which opened a year ago, were operated by Patrick Maggi and Buzz Doyle, who also own Blues BBQ & Grill in East Dundee.

Maggi operates a Blues BBQ in Roanoke, Virginia, Roeser said, which left Doyle as the local operator of the three businesses. When Doyle became unavailable for personal reasons, management responsibilities were spread too thin, he said.

"Without a lot of management, it's hard to have a lot of restaurants," Roeser said, adding that Blues BBQ will remain open.

Construction and a harsh winter may have affected foot traffic, Roeser said, but he doesn't think he'll have much trouble finding new eateries to occupy the vacant storefronts.

"We'll find other people to go in there," he said. "There are people who are wanting to move to East Dundee."

Roeser said he has spent a fair amount of time trying to get the right kinds of businesses in town. With plenty of office space already downtown, Roeser said, he believes another lunch spot and novelty store would contribute to its walk-around atmosphere.

"There's a lot of opportunity," Miller said. "I think somebody will be successful in either of those locations."