Arlington Hts. approves changed, new businesses

The Arlington Heights village board approved plans for changes to an existing McDonald’s, a new Dunkin’ Donuts and a new foot massage business in town on Monday night.

McDonald’s, located at 15. E Dundee Road across from Buffalo Grove High School, will close for about 90 days starting in May so that the restaurant can be completely demolished and rebuilt on the same site.

The redevelopment will shift the restaurant to the west side of the site due to safety concerns about the many students who walk from the high school to the restaurant, said Hank Stillwell, attorney for the McDonald’s franchise owner.

A 10-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalk will be added to the site to accommodate those walking customers, Stillwell said.

The architecture and design of the restaurant, which has been there for at least 30 years, will also be updated to reflect McDonald’s newer branding strategy, Stillwell said. The new design will also eliminate extra space that had been used by high school students for loitering, officials said.

“I’m happy to see these changes, I think they are much needed,” said Village President Tom Hayes.

The new Dunkin’ Donuts, 1818 W. Northwest Hwy. near Arlington Park, will have a drive-through window and indoor, as well as outdoor, seating, according to village documents.

The site where the new Dunkin’ Donuts will be built has been vacant for about eight years.

Just Relax, 38 S. Dunton, is expected to open in April or May and will provide massage services, said attorney Scott Fleming on behalf of petitioner Xuemei Xu.

Just Relax will fill a vacancy in the Dunton Court shopping center, and Fleming said he hopes it will complement the hair salon and nail salon that are also nearby.

The massage parlor will have six chairs in one open room and provide a 15 minute head/neck/shoulder massage while clients soak their feet in hot water, followed by a 30 minute foot massage and 15 minute back massage, according to the planning department report.

Trustees had a few questions about the regulations or licensing required for massage establishments. Assistant Village Attorney Robin Ward said employees will need to be licensed by the state.