Restaurant surge in Vernon Hills

Say what you will about consumer confidence, rising food prices or an uncertain economy, Alaine Lubin remains undeterred. She is at peace with her decision to change careers and open Nirvana Wine & Grillerie in Vernon Hills.

An accountant who managed a fitness center in Lake Villa before eagerly plunging into this volatile industry, Lubin prefers flavor and spice to despair.

"The doom and gloom stories are getting old for everybody," says Lubin, an unfailing optimist. "There's some good stuff going on."

She's referring to a surge in restaurants in Vernon Hills that have just opened, are about to open or want to expand or remodel.

Arrivals include chains, such as the Corner Bakery Cafe, Jason's Deli and Panda Express, and independents Nirvana Wine & Grillerie, Green Prairie Bakery & Cafe, Saffron Indian Cuisine and Spicy Bites. Local mainstays Portillo's and Philly G's have expansion plans.

With nearly 100 restaurants in town, a certain amount of movement is expected as businesses come and go. But those who deal with these things agree there is a spurt.

"We've had an influx over the last several months," said Fire Marshal Mike McNally, who does occupancy inspections for the Countryside Fire Protection District, "which is kind of contrary to what you hear in the marketplace."

The reason is hard to pinpoint. Part of it can be attributed to business as usual, so to speak, in a community known for its extensive retail selections.

"I really can't put a finger on it," said John Kalmar, assistant village manager who works closely with developers. "We are centrally located in the county and we have very high traffic volumes and shopper volumes."

Coincidence also is a factor, as entrepreneurs arrived at about the same time.

"That seems to be more the norm now," Kalmar said. "With the demographics we have, it works well for them to locate in our community."

Lubin has transformed a former physical therapy office in the busy River Tree Court shopping center into what she considers a soothing oasis that includes a "living room" area.

"It's kind of like Starbucks with wine and food," she said before her opening Wednesday.

Nothing on the menu is fried and consists mainly of Lubin's personal favorites. The recipe for the curried penne pasta with eggplant and sweet potato, for example, was wrested from an elderly neighbor after years of effort.

"I couldn't go anywhere and get what I wanted to eat," she says. "That's how the menu came together."

She is counting on an eclectic mix of food, atmosphere and other features, such as the GoMobo food ordering system, to lure customers.

"People sense when something is new and exciting," she said.

Whatever the reason new restaurateurs are settling in Vernon Hills, the overall climate has not been welcoming.

The National Restaurant Association, for example, recently reported a record 29 percent of restaurant operators cited the economy as their top challenge.

Industry performance softened in June to the lowest level in three months, the association reported, as fewer restaurants than the month before reported increases in sales and traffic.

In Lake County, the number of restaurants has remained virtually unchanged. As of July 11, the county health department, which inspects all food service facilities, said there were 1,034 restaurants, compared with 1,035 at the same time in 2007.

The abrupt closing of 16 company-owned Bennigan's restaurants in the Chicago area in late July was another sign of the times - at least for a certain segment of restaurants.

According to Technomic Inc., a food service research firm, the problems at Bennigan's and other casual dining chains have been apparent for some time as growth outpaced demand.

Those that remain successful have done so, in part, by quality of food and service and the ability to convey a perception of value to customers.

"Consumers are naturally drawn to unique, signature menu items," Technomic president Ron Paul said in a recent statement. "When the chain can also layer in excitement through new or limited-time offerings, they help create an environment where consumers want to come back."

That's important as two-thirds of consumers say the cost of restaurant meals is cause for concern, according to the firm.

Restaurants and bars are expected to increase only 2.1 percent in sales this year compared to last year, according to Technomic. In Illinois, industry sales are projected at more than $18 billion this year, an increse of 3.8 percent over 2007 sales, according to the National Restaurant Association.

In any case, operators will "need to bring new strategies and tactics to the table," according to Technomic.

"Bennigan's closing down doesn't scare me one iota," Lubin said. "They're making room for new concepts and people want new concepts."

On a recent weekday morning, Vernon Hills residents Bill and Helen Hauck walked out of two restaurants before settling in at the Green Prairie Bakery & Cafe, which opened July 1.

Husband and wife team Scot Cameron and Marsha Hong were more than happy to toast the gluten-free muffin Helen Hauck brought with her.

The chefs moved to Island Lake from California a year ago. Opening their first venture in a spot vacated by an ice cream shop in a little strip mall on Evergreen Drive across from the village hall was a six month process.

"When we started this whole journey, the economy wasn't where it is now," Cameron said, although business has been good, the couple agreed.

They had hoped to snare commuters on the way to the nearby Metra station, but found a brisk lunch crowd to be the bigger surprise.

"We're slowly building a regular clientele, which is great," he said.

Besides muffins, sandwiches and salads, the offerings include organic coffee and teas and some vegan selections. They also are testing gluten-free products.

"We want it to be a healthy alternative - some place we'd like to go," Cameron added.