Deli eyes former Vernon Hills Hooters site

The last time a restaurant was proposed for a certain vacant building facing Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills, the public response was boisterous.

And it wasn't because of what was on the menu.

In late 2002, a small but vocal contingent contended the short shorts and tight T-shirts worn by female servers at Hooters didn't fit in the family-oriented community.

"We had a number of residents saying that was an inappropriate use of the property," recalled John Kalmar, assistant to the village manager, who handles development requests.

Controversy aside, the restaurant with its signature chicken wings opened in early 2003. It closed last December when the plug was unceremoniously pulled because of subpar sales.

Now, another national chain is proposing to set up shop at 554 Lakeview Parkway, just south of Route 60. But there is nary a hot wing to be found among its offerings.

Texas-based Jason's Deli touts fresh, heart-healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads and the like, free of trans fats since 2004, served in a "warm, friendly environment."

Jason's operates 151 stores in 21 states and wants to expand to Illinois. Besides Vernon Hills, the company has signed leases in Naperville, downtown Chicago and Palatine, according to information provided to the village.

Company officials didn't return calls. But the developer who bought the Hooters building and connected with Jason's said it will be a good fit.

"They're super fresh and really thrive in a high office population," said Scott Nicholson, representing V Land Corp., a retail development firm based in Chicago. "They have an outstanding catering business."

Jason's delivers millions of box lunches and trays, according to company literature.

Nicholson said a steakhouse chain based out West originally was going to take the spot, but the deal dissolved. Other upscale possibilities were lost to developments in Lincolnshire.

"They've taken a lot of air out of the room," he said of Lincolnshire's own restaurant row. "There isn't much energy for an upscale restaurant near Westfield," he said, referring to Westfield Hawthorn shopping mall near the former Hooters building.

While satisfied with its wide range of national chain restaurants, officials in retail-rich Vernon Hills repeatedly have said they want to attract another tier of restaurants and stores.

The long-delayed expansion of the mall hasn't helped, Kalmar said.

"They (Lincolnshire) beat Westfield to the punch," he said.

In any case, the village board gave its informal OK to Jason's to include a drive-up. A public hearing before the village's plan commission is expected next month.

Mayor Roger Byrne said during a recent discussion he thought Jason's was a good fit. He also took a swipe at the hubbub Hooters generated at the time.

"Hooters didn't turn out to be a brothel or a house of ill repute," he quipped.