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Business & Tech

New Restaurant Eyes Former Original Pancake House Site

Realtor hints tenant coming soon to the LaGrange Road vacant property.

A new restaurant is soon coming to the site of the former Original Pancake House in La Grange Park—but which one it is will have to remain a mystery for now.

“I can say we’re close … but I have not been given permission to make a public statement,” said Peter Barrit, an agent with TBZ Realty in La Grange Park.

Barrit said the site of the former pancake house, located at 531 N. LaGrange Road, has been looked at several times over the past few years, but the state of the economy prevented possible tenants from pulling the trigger on the property.

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“We’ve talked with several potential clients over the past two years, but so far it’s not worked out,” Barritt said. “It’s not been for a lack of interest, but of capital.”

But, as the sluggish economy slowly picks up steam, Barrit said he believes the enitre Village Market area has turned a corner, with several businesses recently opening in the commercial center located at Homstead Road and LaGrange Road, including D’Dami Salon and Spa and .

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“We’ve had a few other lookers at some of the other spaces (in Village Market). Things are beginning to pick up,” he said.

Barrit said the economic shift means more businesses may be coming to La Grange Park in the future to fill some of the empty storefronts that dot the village.

“That’s really our goal. We want to be able to bring businesses that will make this an even more attractive place to live and work,” Barrit said.

The former Original Pancake House building is owned by Omaha, NE-based Woodmen of the World. The insurance giant has owned the building since 1962. Barrit said the property has been a good investment for the company. In the 50 years the company owned the property, several restaurants have been tenants, including a Howard Johnson's.

In January 2008, the Cook County Health Department conducted a routine inspection of the Original Pancake House and found a few code violations, including some plumbing works that was completed without a permit. Dean Maggos, director of fire and building departments for La Grange Park, said near the plumbing work was some debris that contained asbestos. The restaurant closed its doors to fix the problem, but never re-opened, Maggos said.

La Grange Park Village Board President Jim Discipio said he’s excited about the possibility of a new restaurant replacing the Original Pancake House.

In a previous , Discipio said having a large empty building on the main thoroughfare through town is an eyesore. He said it’s been a shame the space has been empty for the past three years. Like Barrit, Discipio said he wants to see empty store fronts in town filled with successful business ventures.

“I want to see a thriving La Grange Park,” Discipio said.

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