Palatine gives restaurants, yoga studio the go-ahead

Palatine officials Monday gave the go-ahead to a few businesses sure to satisfy both healthy endeavors and hungry appetites.

One future addition to downtown Palatine will be a yoga studio on Bothwell Street, just north of Palatine Road.

Bikram Yoga Palatine will feature up to four 90-minute classes per day and house men's and women's changing rooms with showers.Bikram, or hot yoga, is done in a room heated to 105 Fahrenheit to assist the body in stretching and detoxification.

Owners Doug and Agata O'Neil have operated a similar facility in St. Charles for the past four years. They expect classes to average 20 people.

Officials had no concerns with parking because the studio is building a rear parking lot and a public lot is located nearby.

“We think it's a good use going in there,” Village Manager Reid Ottesen said.

Another business expected to open soon is an Italian restaurant that will seat 196 patrons between the dining room, bar and party room.

Luciano's di lucca Ristorante will be located at 1280 E. Dundee Road in Woodcraft Plaza, also home to Sushi Para and Pita Pita.

A 37-year veteran of the industry, owner Frank Sbragia of Long Grove has owned restaurants in Deerfield, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles and Prospect Heights. He said Luciano's will offer complimentary valet service and eventually expand into corporate and home catering.

Officials approved a variance allowing a sign that far exceeds regulations, saying the restaurant will be the largest tenant in the plaza.

About a mile southeast, another restaurant is making the switch from Italian to Mexican cuisine. Owner George Maldonado plans to transform Tony's Pizza Peddlers, located at 1540 N. Rand Road, into El Patron.

He cited Palatine's growing Hispanic population, demand for quality casual dining and proximity to Palatine High School and other businesses as a few reasons the restaurant will succeed.