Palatine pizza restaurant plans to relocate to historic downtown building

The downtown Palatine building that previously housed the village's oldest continuous business is slated to be the new home for Pizza Bella.

The restaurant, now at 100 W. Northwest Highway in Clock Tower Plaza, plans to move to 16 N. Brockway St., where Zimmer Hardware operated for 136 years before closing in 2019.

The Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday will consider a request for a special use permit allowing the move.

The proposal for the two-story 7,895-square-foot building calls for 3,885 square feet on the main floor to feature a dining area and kitchen. It would have 82 seats and also offer takeout and delivery.

Owner Tony DeFilippis said the move downtown will fill a community need.

"We always hear a cry for kind of a hometown, local pizzeria," he said. "The (Palatine) downtown is second to none. We're just going to be an amazing fit."

DeFilippis said the new location will offer the restaurant's current menu, with the main focus on pizza.

"That's what we do best," he said.

The top sellers are the thin crust, tavern-style pizza and the Detroit-style pizza.

He also plans to expand in-house offerings such as Italian ice and soft serve ice cream.

"We make our own bread in-house. Most of our desserts are made in-house," DeFilippis added.

He said the business plans to make the move in late fall.