IRS bill paid, Jimmy's Place will stay in business

Jimmy's Place in Arlington Heights has been serving up hot dogs, beer and other bar fare for 51 years - a streak that might have ended if the owner hadn't come up with $40,000 to pay the IRS by Friday.

Jimmy's Place, at 640 W. Northwest Hwy., has suffered like every other restaurant in the economic downturn, said manager and "guy who makes the hot dogs" Paul Sudilovskis.

A recent IRS audit didn't help. Owner Mary Lou Stevens said their property taxes were late, "and of course things, when are late, they keep going up."

The restaurant's employees tried to help.

Lisa DeVita, who has worked at Jimmy's Place for more than 30 years, tried to raise money too, to go along with money owner Mary Lou Stevens has taken from her retirement fund to placate the IRS.

Saving Jimmy's is personal for DeVita.

"The family who owns it has been family friends with my family before any of us kids were born," she said. "We just need to save it."

DeVita set up a Facebook page where people can donate to Jimmy's Place via PayPal.

In the end, her effort only netted about $100.

DeVita said place is noted for a family atmosphere, and that everyone who works there is a family or friend of Stevens.

The customer pool, she said, is generally made up of regulars or former regulars who stop in whenever they are back in town.

"It's one of those little places that hasn't changed for over 50 years," DeVita said.

Though times will continue to be tough, Sudilovskis is confident Jimmy's Place can hold on.

"Keep plugging up the holes, I think the boat will stay afloat," he said. "At least for a little while."