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Trezeros Kitchen to replace Jake's Pizza in downtown Mount Prospect

A Mount Prospect couple opening a new restaurant on the former Jake's Pizza site downtown will receive financial assistance from the village for facade improvements.

Village trustees on Tuesday voted to reimburse Pasquale and Julie Ergastolo $25,000, the maximum allowed under the village's facade rebate program, for work they're having done to the building at 302 W. Northwest Hwy.

The Ergastolos are getting ready to open Trezeros Kitchen and Tap, a restaurant that will feature steak, seafood and pasta entrees, and have a full bar and entertainment on weekends. Their plan also includes outdoor dining space.

According to the village, the Ergastolos are renovating the interior and exterior of the building, at an approximate cost of $480,000.

Community Development Director William Cooney said it is one of three new eateries coming to downtown.

"They are proposing to invest a significant amount of money into that restaurant, both on the inside and the outside of the building," Cooney added.

The couple currently runs the Club Casa Café in the Des Plaines Golf Center, and formerly owned Casa Royale Banquets in Des Plaines, which they closed in 2012 due to, among other factors, a steep decline in the number of weddings they were booking because of increased competition. They operated the banquet hall for 18 of its more than 45 years.

Julie Ergastolo said the Jake's Pizza property was desirable because of the opportunity to be in Mount Prospect. Pasquale Ergastolo added that the traffic on Northwest Highway gives the restaurant high visibility.

An opening date has yet to be determined, they said.

Jake's, which opened in the early 1960s, closed in 2013. It was the original location of the chain started by Jake Flowers, which at its peak more than 20 years ago grew into a multistate franchise with more than 50 locations. There are still locations in Northbrook and Glenview.

Mayor Arlene Juracek expressed optimism the couple would bring the success they've had elsewhere to a location that has been vacant way too long.

"I think it's great that Mount Prospect residents are opening up a Mount Prospect business," Trustee Steven Polit added. "It's like we can go over to a neighbor's house and have some great food and some great spirits and great atmosphere, and celebrate with Mount Prospect residents."

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