THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
YOTI To Re-Open?
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
Mt. Prospect's Ye Olde Town Inn restaurant may re-open for business as soon as Tuesday, May 6, after the establishment was ordered to close on Friday, Apr. 11 due to the village filing a temporary restraining order (TRO) in a Cook County Circuit Court.
A hearing was held between owner Tod Curtis' representatives and Village of Mt. Prospect staff in the Chancery Division in Chicago Monday, to determine if Curtis can re-open his restaurant or if further repair work needs to be made.
According to Curtis' attorney Richard Valentino, both parties agreed if certain improvements are made to the establishment by next Tuesday, it could re-open for business.
"We plan to address the issues," said Valentino. "We will do whatever the village insists must be done without a trial or litigation, because the costs will become extremely excessive in the long run."
However, Valentino emphasized that neither side is admitting to any fault, but both Curtis and the village want to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.
"We just want to do whatever it takes to get that place back open again," Valentino added.
Valentino said the village will conduct an inspection either Monday night or Tuesday morning next week, and if village staff is satisfied with what has been completed, a judge will enter an order for the restaurant to re-open.
If improvements do not meet village standards, Valentino said, the restaurant would remain closed for a few more days to make those improvements. He said he envisions Ye Olde Town Inn to be open for business once again no later than Friday, May 9.
However, Asst. Village Manager David Strahl said a date to inspect and re-open the restaurant has not been determined. As of yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, he said, "Valentino might be looking too far ahead." According to the village's inspection report, the following structures were considered to be "unsafe:'
* The kitchen floor is sagging and collapsing.
* The sub-floor under the bar area is in disrepair from repeated exposure to water and leaks.
* The rear staircase's vertical structure is no longer straight along with the supporting column base.
* The second floor west porch roof is sagging and close to collapsing.
* In regards to electrical issues, the inspection report by village staff states that throughout the entire property, there are numerous extension cords in the open, some cords with "slices," some that are frayed, electrical boxes with splices and without proper connectors, double lugged wire taps in boxes, and electrical panels with breakers that are not designed for the panel.
Valentino believes if the village is content with the improvements that are made, he doesn't foresee the village proceeding with a judication hearing that is expected to continue on Thursday, May 29 at Village Hall.