THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008

---

Margaritaville Restaurant In Rosemont?

By TODD WESSELL

Journal & Topics Editor

Representatives from Margaritaville, the laid back-themed restaurant of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffet, recently met with Mayor Brad Stephens about bringing an operation to Rosemont.

"It was a good meeting," said Stephens Wednesday. "They like this area." Stephens met with the restaurant representatives for lunch in Rosemont two weeks ago.

Stephens and Rosemont are working on plans to create an entertainment district along the east side of the Tri-State Tollway south of the Muvico Theater. Numerous ideas have been considered including a waterpark which Stephens Wednesday said has been scrapped. Should a Margaritaville Restaurant open in Rosemont it would likely be located in the entertainment district.

Stephens said restaurant personnel visited Rosemont after touring Navy Pier in Chicago. Jimmy Buffet, who has built up a following of admirers called "Parrot Heads", was not in on the meeting.

Margaritaville Restaurants are large and popular featuring mixed drinks, regular lunch and dinner meals and a Key West-type environment. Stephens said he has visited the Margaritaville in Las Vegas which he said sold one million dinners in 2007.

Stephens said the meeting two weeks ago was the first of what could become a lengthy process. He added that the restaurant is seeking incentives from Rosemont to locate here.