Land Deal Could Give Enrico's a New Location
A tentative agreement would sell the Italian restaurant's land to make way for a new Mariano's Fresh Market in Frankfort.
A land deal between the owners of Enrico's Italian Dining and the developers for a proposed Mariano's Fresh Market in Frankfort could give the popular restaurant a new address.
Brothers Harry and Bob D'Ercole, Enrico's owners, have a preliminary agreement with Bradford Development, Mariano's developer, to sell a parcel of land on the east side of LaGrange Road, north of Lincoln Highway, that includes the restaurant, the former Town Center bank and two houses, a press release from the D'Ercoles stated.
READ: New Grocery Store Could Land in Frankfort
"Our intent always had been to redevelop our land along LaGrange Road and to relocate the restaurant, as the building is simply not efficient for us anymore," Harry D'Ercole said in the release. "When this opportunity presented itself, my brother Bob and I felt that we needed to seriously consider it."
The deal does not mean the restaurant is going out of business, the release said. In an e-mail Monday night, Harry D'Ercole said the agreement has happened faster than planned, and possible new locations for the restaurant haven't been determined. D'Ercole also emphasized that the deal was not final, and if it falls through, Enrico's will stay at its current address.
READ: Mariano's, Village Officials Meet to Discuss Future Location
The land sale is contingent on the creation of a more than 70,000-square-foot Mariano's Fresh Market store on 7-1/2 acres of land in the 20900 block of LaGrange Road. The village has been working with Mariano's since January to develop the upscale grocery store in Frankfort, which also would include working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to get a signal placed on LaGrange Road between Colorado Avenue and Lincoln Highway. This new intersection would help create more opportunities to attract larger commercial developments to that area thanks to an eventual collector road that could connect LaGrange Road to Pfeiffer Road. Mariano's hopes to open by fall of 2013 or spring of 2014.
The Village Plan Commission will hold a workshop and public hearing concerning the new grocery store at its Thursday, May 10, meeting.
Sign up for the Frankfort Patch newsletter to have headlines delivered daily to your inbox.
Mark
9:21 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
This is a win win for the owners of Enricos and residents of Frankfort!!
Rebecca Wharrie
10:38 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I wish Enricos would relocate to the old Harris bank building in downtown Frankfort. That would be really be a win win!:)
colleentriana
10:53 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sounds like a great idea -- I can not see anyone not winning in this deal!
Laird Luoma
7:46 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Walt's doesn't win.
Rick Ashton
9:48 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mariano's is expensive. It's prices are higher than Jewel
Rich Schmidt II
3:15 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Have you been to a Mariano's Rick? Because you may want to take a second look at prices.