Land Deal Could Give Enrico's a New Location

A land deal between the owners of 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:

"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:

The land sale is contingent on the creation of . 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 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.