The Biz Week That Was: Joann closing stores; Brazilian steakhouse, other eateries planned
Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse opening near Woodfield Mall in April
The Chicago region’s fifth Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse is expected to open in April across the street from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, where construction of its approximately $1.2 million building is nearing completion. The 8,500-square-foot restaurant at 1950 E. Golf Road is directly east of the Centennial Center office building at 1900 E. Golf Road.
Des Plaines close to inking deal with restaurateur for historic downtown building
Des Plaines would spend up to $12 million to renovate a historic, vacant building in the downtown area before turning it over to a restaurateur, proposed lease terms indicate. The deal for the former bank building at 678 Lee St. would require the tenant to complete the renovation, at an estimated cost of $4.5 million.
Celebrity chef considering long vacant Fritzl’s restaurant in Lake Zurich for next venture
Plans to convert a former favorite eatery on Route 12 in Lake Zurich to a firehouse-themed restaurant are off the table but a familiar name in town is considering a new idea. Celebrity chef and restaurateur Fabio Viviani and partner Romeo Kapudija are exploring plans for a new restaurant in the former Fritzl's European Restaurant & Pub, which closed in 2021 after 36 years.
Laskowski Ace Hardware opening next month as anchor of revived and revamped Lindenhurst Center
The soon-to-open 10th Laskowski family Ace Hardware store is nearing the finish line for a March opening. The 21,000-square-foot Ace was created by consolidating five separate spaces at Lindenhurst Center on Grand Avenue west of Sand Lake Road.
Joann moves to close 500 of its stores across the US amid bankruptcy
Struggling fabric and crafts seller Joann plans to close about 500 of its stores across the U.S. — 26 in Illinois — or more than half its current nationwide footprint. Last month, the Hudson, Ohio-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time within a year, due to sluggish consumer demand and inventory shortages. Several suburban stores are among those targeted for closure, including in Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Geneva, McHenry, Naperville, Niles, Orland Park, Wheaton and Vernon Hills.
Firewater BBQ eyes new restaurant in proposed Roselle development
The Firewater BBQ chain is cooking up plans for a new restaurant that would anchor the proposed redevelopment of a parking lot in Roselle. The developer wants to construct a roughly 5,500-square-foot, multi-tenant center called “Timberland Commons” on the Maple Avenue lot. A Firewater BBQ joint — the regional chain has restaurants in Geneva, Elmhurst, Alsip and Crest Hill — would become the primary business in the center.