Wheeling approves plan for pizzeria at former Hackney’s site
Wheeling officials Monday approved a site plan for D’Agostino’s Pizza to move into the former Hackney’s location on Milwaukee Avenue, clearing the way for the restaurant’s expected opening in July.
D’Agostino’s, which operates four other restaurants in the Chicago area, will offer dine-in, carryout, delivery and catering options of its mostly Italian and pizza menu out of the Wheeling location, 241 S. Milwaukee Ave. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The restaurant was established in 1968 by owners Joe and Jan D’Agostino in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. Since 2002, the family has opened additional restaurants in the River West neighborhood of Chicago, Glenview, and Park Ridge.
The owners will not be making major changes to the Hackney’s site, but said they plan to bring in family-friendly live entertainment such as musicians or magicians to perform in the restaurant. They are expected to hire 25 to 30 part-time employees and an additional five to 10 delivery drivers. The location will seat more than 300 and have two outdoor patios.
Hackney’s closed in April 2011, and the more than 10,000-square-foot building was sold to the D’Agostino family in November.