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New restaurant planned for ‘blighted’ parcel of Glenview’s Waukegan Road

Glenview village trustees have approved a loan to develop a downtown property referred to as a “significant eyesore” into a restaurant featuring a celebrity chef from Chicago.

At a July 6 village board meeting, Glenview approved a $550,000 loan to assist in plans to develop the parcel at the corner of Waukegan Road and Grove Street, a project estimated to cost a total of $2.5 million for the land purchase and restaurant build out.

A new restaurant called “The Filling Station” will be developed by Glenview resident and restaurateur Nick Philippas, managing partner of North Branch Pizza and Burger Company and the Joe Donut cafe and restaurant chain.

The Filling Station will feature celebrity pastry chef and partner Kyleen Atonson of Chicago’s Lincoln Square. Atonson was the champion winner of Food Network’s “Chopped Sweets: Winter Celebration” culinary competition television show in 2019.

“We’re developing the concept with her being the chef, together,” Philippas said.

The Filling Station has a building size of approximately 2,500 square feet and seating for 80 diners as the 10th restaurant operated by Philippas with a lunch and dinner menu.

Sunday brunch will feature Joe Donut and signature sweets from Atonson.

“I’m so excited to be partnering with Nick on this opening,” Atonson said. “I used to work for him as a server back in my college years, and so having the chance to reconnect on a shared vision is really inspiring.

“The brunch menu that I am working on is going to draw from my 15 years of restaurant experience,” Atonson said, and, “will include high levels of refinement that are indicative of my years as the pastry chef of various Michelin starred restaurants.

“I’m also excited to implement my own spin on traditional French pastries, which is where my training comes from,” Atonson said.

Neighbors have long complained about the property at 1148 Waukegan Road, as the former automotive service station that once occupied the site has been vacant for nearly two decades.

The loan’s term for 1148 Waukegan Road, LLC is 2% over 10 years with 10% of the loan forgivable for each year of operation over 10 years.

The village projects a 15-year investment return to Glenview via sales and property taxes from redevelopment of the corner, which they hope will spark further economic development in the area.

“This is an investment for a lot of people in Glenview,” said Trustee Tim Doron. “It’s a community asset. It’s a blighted parcel in the middle of the Waukegan Road business district that the marketplace wasn’t nibbling at.”

Trustee Mary W. Cooper agreed.

“I’m really supportive of getting this deal in front of us,” Cooper said. “I know our village has been crying to have this building changed.”

The corner property has a $900,000 price before closing, according to Philippas.

The proposal must be reviewed by the village’s Development Adjustments Commission. The projected restaurant opening is spring of 2024.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Philippas said. “It’s an old service station that has, like, no infrastructure at all.”

But, “It’s a great corner,” Philippas said. “We’re excited to get the downtown going, I live in Glenview, I think it’s going to be great.”

There is a former dry cleaners commercial property next door, which Philippas would like to buy to add to the restaurant footprint, he said, but indicated that negotiations with the seller were currently at an impasse.

People opposed to the loan agreement spoke at the podium during the public hearing portion of Thursday’s board meeting.

“This process doesn’t seem quite right,” said John Brennan, of Glenview. “It’s kind of insulting.”

Northbrook attorney William Seitz of Glenview, told the board he disagreed that the Waukegan Road qualified as an economic “spark site” and accused them of being “reckless” with village tax dollars.

“I have no issue with Nick Philippas or any developer seeking public money into a private project if a municipality wants to be reckless with public money. It is good business to seek free money,” Seitz wrote in a letter he presented to the board during the meeting. “Everyone loves Santa Claus.”

After the loan was unanimously approved, Glenview Village President Michael Jenny defended the board’s decision.

“To think that we’re using these funds inconsistently with policy is erroneous. I just wanted to say that for the public’s benefit,” Jenny said.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.