Rosemont inches forward with entertainment district plans

Rosemont's trading one kind of fried food outlet for another as plans to build a Culver's at a former Krispy Kreme site were discussed Wednesday.

The 4,780-square-foot restaurant would stand at 7050 Mannheim Road near the Allstate Arena. Culver's, known for buttering the buns of its hamburgers, could open by mid-April, Village Finance Officer Donald Calmeyn said.

Plans for a $6.5 million restaurant and music venue adorned with country music star Toby Keith's name are also progressing. The establishment, Toby Keith's "I love this bar & grill," is slated to be built south of the Muvico Theater along I-294. The original plan was to open this summer, but the exact details of the location, which is on village-owned land, are still being worked out.

There's also a Kings Lanes planned nearby. Kings includes billiards tables, bowling lanes, bars and restaurant space.

The village wants to create an entertainment district south of the Allstate Arena, and the developments would help expand that plan.

The area in question was once ticketed for a casino, but the state instead issued its 10th gaming license to Des Plaines, forcing Rosemont officials to alter their plans.