A vacant storefront situated just west of Circle Avenue on Madison Street could be renovated into a Thai restaurant, according to a real estate broker handling the deal. The proposal is to open the family-owned business at 7330 Madison by the first of November, pending municipal approval and a renovation of the space.
David King, the broker representing the property, described the concept as a smaller eatery with about 40 seats, and would offer a “more intimate feeling.” The restaurant would occupy what was most recently a children’s clothing store that went out of business in early February, Treehouse Boutique. The storefront is owned by Jerry Vainisi, who also owns the adjacent space at 7328 Madison. That address was vacated in October 2007 when a longtime real estate office, Reich and Becker, closed its doors. According to King, the proposed restaurant would use only the one storefront.
Restaurants within the downtown district are permitted, but are subject to specific approvals from the village. The results of a July 20 hearing with the zoning board would be forwarded to the council for an up or down vote.
“We are hopeful that based on the location – and the parking surrounding the location – that the conditional use will be approved,” King said.
King declined to identify the prospective restaurateurs, stating only that the family has a history in the industry. This would be their first bid at owning and operating a restaurant, he said.
The Review did not submit a request under the state’s Freedom of Information Act for the restaurant’s application, but an inquiry with the municipal Department of Public Health and Safety as to the identity of the applicant was rebuffed.
Vainisi, the property owner, is also the president of Forest Park National Bank and Trust. In response to an e-mail inquiring about the project, Vainisi said his real estate agent, King, is responsible for putting the deal together.
