New Asian restaurant opening in former Chin's

A new Chinese restaurant will open in downtown Arlington Heights this spring in the former Chin's location, a piece of good news for the village as it works to fill other vacant restaurants.

Bistro Dragon, which has another location in Elk Grove Village, will open a dine-in/carry out sushi and Chinese restaurant at 10 E. Miner St., said John Melaniphy, business and development coordinator for the village. Chin's closed there in April 2012 after more than 50 years in Arlington Heights.

“We were delighted to see that space redeveloped with a really nice operation and meeting a similar market need,” Melaniphy said.

The new owners will be doing significant remodeling on the location before it opens, he said.

On the other side of downtown, officials are just starting to look for a new restaurant to replace Grand Station, 101 W. Campbell St., which closed at the end of 2012.

“The recession had a tremendous impact on restaurants throughout the region,” Melaniphy said. “But I imagine that space will be recycled quickly given its excellent location.”

At Vail and Campbell in downtown Arlington Heights, Grand Station was in a high-traffic area, near Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub and Harmony Park.

Meanwhile, Caribou Coffee and Qdoba Mexican Grill recently opened along Dundee Road in the former La Titi De Paris location. The Rackhouse Kitchen & Tavern, 222 E. Algonquin Road, will open in the former Boston Blackie's spot in March.

The restaurant news comes on the heels of approval for the Star Cinema Grill, a new dine-in theater and restaurant that will open in the former Arlington Theaters this spring.

Melaniphy said officials are still looking for new owners for The Wellington and Yanni's Greek Restaurant, two popular dining destinations that closed last summer.

“It will take some time and perseverance, but we think those are good locations,” Melaniphy said of the spots on South Arlington Heights Road near I-90. A new BP Amoco gas station and car wash will open at Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads this spring.

In 2011 Arlington Heights generated $139 million in restaurant sales, which Melaniphy said was down slightly, but he expects the 2012 numbers to come out higher because there was a full year of sales for new large restaurants, including Coopers Hawk at Algonquin and Golf roads.

“We're way better off than a couple years ago,” he said.