Garage behind burned down Fox River Grove steakhouse 'a real nuisance'

It's been more than a year since a suspicious fire torched the 5 O'Clock Steakhouse in Fox River Grove and scorched the garage behind it.

During that time, authorities say, the dilapidated garage, with its cracked windows, warped siding and peeling paint, has not only become an eyesore, but also “a real nuisance, attracting ne'er-do-wells.

“The big question is should it be torn down or should it at least be boarded up, because it's a real health hazard, said Jerry Menzel, a member of the public safety committee that discussed the issue this week. “That place is like bees to honey.

The unsecured garage hasn't seen serious criminal activity, but in early September police discovered empty alcohol containers inside, Police Chief Ron Lukasik said.

“It was apparent that it was being used as a party house, if you will, but nobody was there when the officers found it, Lukasik said. “If we have people going in there and partying, it is a nuisance.

As it is now, the structure faces property maintenance violations starting at $50 a day and they go back about a month, said John Spurgeon, the village's building and zoning consultant.

But there is some confusion over who is actually responsible for bringing the building up to code.

Its last known owner was Demitrios Giannakouras, who also owned the steakhouse, Spurgeon said.

But tax records indicate Western Springs National Bank, listed with the same address as the steakhouse, owns the property, Spurgeon said.

The village sent two letters to Giannakouras the latest in September asking that he either board up or raze the garage.

The only response has been silence.

Ownership has until Thursday Oct. 14 to respond to the village's latest letter, Village Administrator Art Osten said.

And if they don't, “We're going to look for an alternative route and see if we can get a court order to either have it repaired or the building demolished, Osten said. “We will work through the courts or take unilateral action.

Giannakouras did not return a phone call made to his Schaumburg home.

Authorities, meanwhile, have not yet ruled the fire an arson because it remains under investigation, said Jim Kreher, deputy chief of the Fox River Grove Fire Department.

Local police and the office of the State Fire Marshal are in charge of that probe, Kreher said.