Madison Street will soon add another entry to the list of businesses it has snagged from Oak Park over the last few years.
Thyme & Honey, the popular restaurant at 100 S. Oak Park Ave., will soon move into the vacant space between the Charter One Bank and the Progress Center for Independent Living, located at 7325 Madison St., on the northeast corner of Madison Street and Desplaines Avenue.
Manager Chris Nicolau confirmed the move, but declined to elaborate on possible changes to the restaurant’s menu or theme once it moves to the new location, stating that he did not want to announce plans before they were finalized.
The space formerly served as a corporate headquarters for Charter One, and has not been used as a restaurant in the past. Though it will require significant interior work, Nicolau said that at this point there are no plans for any exterior additions.
The building, he said, is owned by a Maryland-based real-estate trust.
Employees and clients of the Progress Center, meanwhile, look forward to the arrival of their new neighbors.
“We’ve talked to them, and they seem like very nice people, very accommodating,” said Tim Toerber, a volunteer advocate for the center.
He said the crowds brought in by the restaurant would not affect parking for the disabled at the Progress Center, which has several reserved spaces in back.
“They seem excited about having a new hangout next door,” said Nicolau.
Meanwhile, a mixed use development planned for the corner of Oak Park Avenue and South Boulevard in Oak Park awaits Thyme & Honey’s departure.
Architect John Schiess plans to meet with village representatives this week on plans for the site, and will also meet with Thyme & Honey owners to discuss when they plan to move out.
