Slyce Pizza opening third location in downtown Des Plaines

Slyce Pizza is the latest restaurant with plans to open in downtown Des Plaines.

The mother-daughter team of Laurie Barth and Brittany Barth-Niggemann is bringing coal-fired pizza to the city in what will be their suburban-based chain's third location, occupying the former Leona's Italian Restaurant at 1504 Miner St.

Aldermen will vote Monday on approval of a $100,000 grant to complete major renovations at the property. If approved, Slyce Pizza would become the second business to receive a grant as part of an effort to create a downtown restaurant and entertainment district anchored by the Des Plaines Theatre. The city bought the shuttered theater last summer and plans on reopening it by fall 2019.

Firewater Saloon, which is opening in the former Olivetti's Italian Restaurant at 1575 Ellinwood St., was the first business to receive the downtown restaurant grant.

"We believe the more restaurants, the better," Barth-Niggemann said. "It just brings more people to the area."

Slyce Pizza opened its first location in Wauconda in 2010 and a second location last year in Highwood. Of course, the signature entree is coal-fired, often prepared with locally grown or raised products. But the restaurant also serves sandwiches, salads and pasta.

"It's a little different than your typical pizza place - let's just say that," Barth-Niggemann said.

As for an opening date, the owners are targeting to be in business by spring. They say that should hopefully be enough time to complete about $770,000 in improvements to the building, which Leona's left a year ago.

Owners plan on renovating the 4,000-square-foot building to include a new roof, bar, banquet room, two coal pizza ovens and upgrades to plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, flooring and lighting. The restaurant will seat about 200 patrons.

"Obviously, the city is very invested in the downtown, and they're trying to get businesses down there, which we love," Barth-Niggemann said.