Jimmy John's could be coming to downtown Elgin

Plans are in the works to open a Jimmy John's sandwich shop this spring in downtown Elgin.

The business would occupy an empty retail space on the first floor of Fountain Square Condominiums, 50 S. Grove Ave., that has been vacant since the building was built in 2007.

The proposed franchise owner, Brian Haschak, and the condo business office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

There is another Jimmy John's on Randall Road in Elgin. This would be the first Jimmy John's owned by Haschak, Elgin Citizen Services Director Colby Basham said.

The city council's committee of the whole will examine a proposal Wednesday to shorten the time limit of three parking spaces along Grove Avenue, just north of the business, to facilitate deliveries and customers' access, according to a memo from city staff members.

One parking space would be shortened from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, and two spaces from two hours to 30 minutes, all from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Basham said the city routinely works with business owners to determine time limits on parking in front of their businesses.

"I think that all of the parking on Grove should be limited (time) parking for the businesses that are there," Basham said. Many Metra customers park the entire day downtown to avoid paying Metra parking lot fees, he said.

Jimmy John's employees also will use bicycles for deliveries downtown, most likely in spring and summer, the memo states. The regulations will be implemented when the lease with Fountain Square is finalized.

The closest national franchise eateries to downtown Elgin are Burger King on Dundee Avenue and Subway at Clock Tower Plaza.

A Quiznos franchise on Douglas Avenue downtown closed in 2011.