THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
YOTI Ready To Re-Open With Temporary Kitchen
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
If Mt. Prospect's Ye Olde Town Inn restaurant opens this weekend, a limited menu will be provided to customers, because the entire kitchen is still in the process of being renovated, according to owner Tod Curtis.
In addition to kitchen renovations, Curtis and his attorney, Richard Valentino, said Monday during a sit-down conversation with the Journal that other work has been completed over the last few weeks since the village closed down the eatery.
The restaurant has been closed since Friday, Apr. 11 due to the village's filing of a temporary restraining order in Cook County Circuit Court on Apr. 10 due to alleged village building code violations.
New tile has been installed next to one of the restaurant's bars where patrons sit and behind another bar where the bartenders work.
According to the village's inspection report, the sub-floor under the bar area was in disrepair from repeated exposure to water and leaks. The bar floor was declared an "unsafe structure."
"The underlinement did need repair," Curtis said.
In regards to the kitchen, Curtis said the entire space would be remodeled. Currently, he has the entranceway to the kitchen boarded up and he plans to replace or upgrade all of the equipment in the kitchen in the weeks and months ahead.
According to the village's inspection report, the kitchen floor was sagging and collapsing. It also stated the cooler and freezer were working improperly, deteriorating stored food.
"In the meantime, we will offer a limited menu consisting of burgers, pizza, and nachos," said Curtis.
Curtis' temporary kitchen will be located where his pool tables currently stand. The pool tables will be replaced for the time being with an electric steam table and a convection oven.
In regards to electrical issues, Curtis and Valentino both said most of those concerns have been resolved.
The inspection report by village staff stated that throughout the entire property, there were numerous extension cords out in the open, some cords with "slices," some that were 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.
Lastly, Curtis completely removed the staircase in the back of the establishment.
According to the report, the rear staircase's vertical structure was no longer straight along with the supporting column base. In addition, a temporary brace was undersized. Village staff added that a registered design professional agreed that the stairway and guardrail assembly were "unsafe" and there was "immediate hazard."
Valentino expects the village will be contacted today (Wednesday) so village inspectors can come in and inspect the restaurant.
If certain requirements are met, then the village and Curtis' representatives will head back to court on Friday and a judge will lift the order to allow Ye Olde Town Inn to re-open.
Curtis said over the last month his establishment has been closed, scheduled charitable events had to be cancelled.
In addition to opening for business once again, Curtis said he "hopes" his employees return to work there. He has five full-time employees and six part-time workers.
"I have stayed in constant contact with them so I hope they come back," said Curtis. "Some of them have been with me for 20 years."
When asked how much money Curtis has lost from being shut down and the cost of the improvements that were required, Valentino chimed in saying "final numbers are not in, but he has lost more than $5-$10,000."
"The village could have closed the other businesses located above the restaurant, but they didn't," said Valentino.
Curtis is continuing to pursue developing his $22 million Gateway Centre project. His plan calls for a 7-story "green" development to be built on his current Busse Avenue property that, he said, will provide street level dining, entertainment, and retail.
In addition, floors 3 through 6 will provide residential space with a secured rooftop park and underground parking.
"I want to know why I can't develop on my property," asked Curtis. "I do want to thank the village though, for showing me the value of my property."