Motorcycle dealer, new restaurant to open in downtown Libertyville
Libertyville long has been known for an auto dealers row along Milwaukee Avenue, but high-end motorcycles are about to be added to the roster with a location in the heart of the downtown business district rather than on the outskirts.
The pending opening of an Indian motorcycle dealership — one of few in the Chicago area — in the former Arden's furniture store involves the extensive renovation of a prominent, but long-vacant space across from Cook Park. That's also true next door, where work is nearly complete on the remake of the former Mickey Finn's brewery into O'Toole's of Libertyville restaurant.
Both involved gutting the interiors and upgrading utility systems and other features, while retaining some of the original character of the old buildings.
“It's more of a higher-end look for a motorcycle showroom,” said Todd Gaines, a partner in the dealership that will offer four models of Indian motorcycles ranging in price from $11,000 to $28,000. Construction began in March, with the opening targeted for June 15.
“We worked on this for six months nonstop. They don't just give these dealerships to everybody,” said Gaines, a village trustee who has operated Complete Care Automotive just east of downtown since 1995. “Libertyville played a very important part — the location, the demographics.”
That was also is the rationale for the husband/wife team of Humberto Martinez Jr. and Libertyville native Sara McKinnon, who have been proceeding with a $1.5 million renovation of the former Mickey Finn's at 412 N. Milwaukee Ave. Construction on the century-old building was delayed for several months as a legal issues were settled, but it is nearing completion.
“It's just a matter of the trades finishing up. There's a lot of things. It's an old building,” Martinez said.
He said the variety the motorcycle dealership offers is in keeping with what the village wants to do downtown, and it could attract more visitors.
Gaines recused himself from discussion of the zoning change that required board approval to allow the dealership. The idea came from customer and now partner Don O'Shea, who was intrigued with the rebirth of the Indian brand, Gaines said. Founded in 1901, it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries, Inc. a few years ago.
In Illinois, the closest dealership is in South Elgin and there also is one in Monee. One just opened in Racine, Wisconsin, and another is pending in Milwaukee, according to Gaines.
The building at 416 N. Milwaukee Ave. was constructed as an A&P grocery store. Arden's began operations there in 1974 and closed more than three years ago. Gaines said the location and design of the building made it an immediate prospect to showcase the dealership.
Building owner Mark Khayat, who also owns Austin's Saloon and Eatery on the north end of Libertyville, considered a 300-seat restaurant for the space in the highly popular downtown area. Citing a lack of peak time parking, some village officials argued some visitors might avoid the area if another restaurant opened.
“This store will offer a decent amount of sales tax revenue with a low impact on parking, as opposed to a 300-seat restaurant,” Gaines said.
Mayor Terry Weppler said the large space has been difficult to fill and other uses would have required more parking.
“I believe it will generate substantial foot traffic by residents visiting the village,” he said.