Irish pub no longer included in plans for East Dundee development

Developers are seeking tenants to fill space in a mixed-use development planned for downtown East Dundee after their deal with an Irish restaurant fell through.

Matt O'Shay's Irish Pub was one of the first businesses to commit to the building expected to break ground soon at 311 Barrington Ave. But business broker Tracy Burnidge said it will no longer be included in the more than $4 million project.

"Ultimately, they could not hold up to our quality of standards we set for the tenants and could not get the financing to build out the unit as they wanted," he said.

Shay Clarke, who planned to own the pub with partner Matt Rafferty, said he spent nine to 10 months working with designers and preparing for the opening.

"But (the project) was supposed to happen way sooner," said Clarke, who has since focused his efforts on reopening McNally's Irish Pub in St. Charles. "With money going out all the time, you have to have some expectation of when it was going to go back in. That date got further and further."

Construction on the building was supposed to begin last year, but plans were delayed because of issues with the property's soil. Project costs went up as a result, Burnidge said earlier, and the initial plans to include a basement had to be nixed.

Work on the site began earlier this month, when a building at the corner of Barrington Avenue and Fourth Street was demolished to make way for the new development. Construction on the building's foundation is expected to begin soon, Burnidge said.

"This is nobody's fault. The circumstances just conspired against us," Clarke said. "I personally am really disappointed that it didn't come to pass."

Burnidge said he isn't worried about finding another retail shop or restaurant to take its place.

"We're excited about some of the people we've already been talking to," he said. "We are 100 percent confident we will be full before the building is finished this late summer."

Developers have already received applications from three businesses - two retail and one breakfast and lunch restaurant - looking to take over the 5,500-square-foot space, he said. The space also includes a rooftop garden and seating area.

A nanobrewery and a Mexican restaurant called Joe's Cantina are still on board with the project, Burnidge said. The top floor will offer 10 loft-style rental apartments: three two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom.

An outdoor seating area and a path from the Fox River Trail bike path to the property are also included in the plans, he added.