Two Mt. Prospect restaurants close, but bar to open

Although two longtime Mount Prospect restaurants recently closed, another new sports bar is getting ready to open its doors.

On Tuesday, the Mount Prospect village board deleted the liquor license for Michael's Steaks & Seafood and issued a new liquor license for Lety's Sports Bar and Grill, which will open soon at 1827 W. Algonquin Road. Lety's will serve up hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza and show international sports games, including soccer.

Lety's owner also owns Tortas Locas Restaurant at 1839 W. Algonquin Road.

Michael's, at 113 S. Emerson St., has been closed since mid-June. Mount Prospect officials received no notification the eatery would close and found out about the closing only after a standard police premises check on June 14.

Attempts by the Daily Herald to contact the owners have also been unsuccessful

A few miles away, Artemis Restaurant closed on Aug. 1 after more than 30 years in business.

The restaurant's owner, Paul Sakkos, blamed the economy and rising expenses.

"After many years of service to our great customers, unfortunately we have to close our doors with a heavy heart," said Sakkos, who ran the restaurant with his wife, Kathy. "The economy and rising expenses have made it impossible to continue our operations."

According to Sakkos, the closing had nothing to do with an ongoing lawsuit filed in Cook County circuit court on July 19. The suit names Sakkos - who rented the space for his restaurant - and other Artemis investors and involves unpaid rent.

Artemis opened at 912 S. Busse Road in 1974. The restaurant employed about 50 people, Sakkos said.