Elgin library looking for new cafe proposals

Thursday is the deadline to submit proposals to operate the cafe inside Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, whose last tenant abruptly closed last month.

In the Neighborhood Dream Deli and Cafe had been at the library since 2012. The library has had a cafe since about 2005, library spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said.

Several interested people have contacted the library about running the cafe, which patrons have said they miss, Raleigh said.

"We're really looking for a person who wants to offer a quality experience of food and drink to our customers," she said. "We want the cafe owners to be successful because we would like longevity for the owners." The monthly rent would be $500.

Owner Jeff Turner said he closed the cafe, whose lease was up Feb. 28, to focus on his other business enterprises. About a year ago, Turner had closed his Elgin sandwich shop, In the Neighborhood Deli, to run a food business at Dream Hall in downtown Elgin. The latest closure also was about that, he said.

"It was strictly a business decision about focusing my bandwidth and my energies on the Dream Hall and the food hall and the catering business," he said.

Library officials got an email Jan. 20 from Turner informing them of the immediate closure, Raleigh said. He was paying a $200 monthly lease under the current agreement, she said.