West Dundee offers incentives to new farm-to-table restaurant

West Dundee officials have agreed to loan local business owners $50,000 to help kick-start their new farm-to-table restaurant.

Bleuroot, which is under the same ownership as the Spa Bleu salon, is expected to open June 1 at 98 W. Main St. The restaurant and bar will incorporate locally sourced items, such as meat, produce and beverages, into its menu, said Heather Hazlett, chief operating officer of the Bleu Brand.

"We've been working really hard to make sure we were available for the summer months to provide that to the community," she said.

Operators are investing about $250,000 into the establishment, including interior renovations and kitchen improvements, owner Tammy Coakley said.

The village board Monday unanimously approved granting bleuroot with the $50,000 low-interest loan, which would be repaid over five years through 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by the establishment. The incentive from the village will go toward the cost of signage and cosmetic upgrades, Hazlett said.

"It just shows that they're invested and really want the business to be successful as well," Hazlett said. "We're very thankful that they have that belief in us."

Coakley and her mother, Kathy Dwyer, operated Spa Bleu in the village's downtown area for more than a decade before deciding to expand their brand into the restaurant industry. Operators and chef consultants are now finalizing the menu and continuing to form partnerships with local farmers, including All Grass Farms, which is located in the Brunner Family Forest Preserve, Hazlett said.

In addition to generating additional tax revenue for West Dundee, Community Development Director Tim Scott said in a memo he believes bleuroot will complement other nearby businesses and revitalize a prominent downtown building.

"Beyond serving a unique niche, the proprietors have demonstrated a longtime commitment to the community and business acumen with their proven track record at Spa Bleu," he said.

Bleuroot is expected to be open every day for lunch and dinner, and brunch will be served on weekends.