Libertyville restaurants uniting?
Libertyville restaurants may join forces in an attempt to boost local revenue.
About a dozen restaurateurs recently met with village officials to discuss a unified marketing effort similar to that launched last year by local car dealerships.
"I suggested this to organize the restaurants like we did the car dealers," Mayor Terry Weppler said.
That effort included a village-backed rebate program in which new-car buyers received $100 to be spent locally.
"Over 50 percent of the gift certificates we gave out from car rebates went to restaurants," Weppler said.
Though notoriously independent, the car dealers have persevered in the cooperative.
Heather Rowe, the village's economic development coordinator, said it has resulted in "much stronger regional and even national attention as the place to buy a car in the Lake County area if not the Chicago area."
Rowe said there would be a benefit for restaurants to work together as well.
"It's not something we have any interest to run for them as a village, (but) we will act as a conduit," she said. "It's pretty clear there is interest; it's just a matter of them organizing themselves."
Libertyville has more than 80 restaurants, including coffee and ice cream shops. The village is considering a rewards program and is looking for input from key players, including restaurant owners.
"Libertyville seems to be a destination spot for diners. If we've got an area that's excelling already, let's expand on it," said Mark Khayat, owner of Austin's Saloon & Fuel Room and a member of the village's marketing committee.
"We're not really asking for money, but the city is looking to cooperate any way they can," Khayat said.
He described the meeting as having a "pretty decent turnout" despite being held the morning after St. Patrick's Day.
Whether the effort will come to pass is to be determined. Another meeting is expected but hasn't been scheduled.
"Car dealers are one thing, and I know how they're competitive," Khayat said. "Restaurant guys are even worse."