Journal & Topics Media Group

Four-Acre Gas Station Development Proposed For Vacant Hintz Road Property In Wheeling


Vacant property at the northeast corner of Old Buffalo Grove Road and Hintz Road. (Noah Festenstein/Journal Photo)

Dormant property at the northeast corner of Old Buffalo Grove and Hintz roads went through a Wheeling Village Board concept review to potentially become a four-acre gas station.

Trustees voted 5-2 in support of a concept design by Gas N’ Wash, an Illinois-based combined gas station, car wash, convenience store and quick serve food location. Village board review took place as a way to see who was in support of the idea, so Gas N’ Wash can move forward submitting applications.

Established in 2013, Gas N’ Wash has 21 operating locations south of Chicago, the closest being their Stickney location near Cicero. The company says they are building a Green Oaks store in the north suburbs. If approved in Wheeling, this would be Gas N’ Wash’s first northwest suburban location.

“We are always looking for a minimum of three acres,” Gas N’ Wash head designer Chris Kalischefski told Journal & Topics. “Our biggest challenge is cleanup of the property.”

The property used to contain a Garden Fresh produce store in a multi-tenant strip mall with other tenants, and most recently a small gas station at the corner of Old Buffalo Grove and Hintz. Since then, the strip mall has been demolished and the property has been scattered with vegetation.

Gas N’ Wash location in central Illinois. (Photo by Gas N’ Wash)

Kalischefski’s concept review indicates their intention to give the property a clean slate. The plan is to install a large canopied gas station in the middle south end, a large conveyor belt car wash, an 8,000+ sq. ft. building to accompany a retail/convenience store, quick serve restaurant, then a separate fueling station for larger vehicles.

One concern came on behalf of Trustee Jim Ruffatto, who thinks this location is too close to homes on all sides, stating, “it seems to me to be an intense use.” Ruffatto, along with trustee Dave Vogel, were the only two with “no” votes.

Another concern was stated by Trustee Joe Vito regarding the level of truck traffic and whether Hintz Road is busy enough for this large of a gas station. Gas N’ Wash representatives stated they have plans for sound wall barriers at the north and east ends of the property, along with conducting studies of Hintz Road traffic.

“We are really community focussed,” Kalischefski said. “We have a great community involved. The people on the board have great interest in the community and that’s what we like to work with. It’s a win-win situation.”

Kalischefski added that Gas N’ Wash is looking for community input on what kind of quick serve restaurants would best fit the location. The company has partnered with the likes of Dunkin’ Donuts, Do-Rite Donuts, Pop’s Italian Beef, Beggars Pizza, Ta Canijo Tacos, Duke’s and Great American Bagel. Liquor and tobacco sales are also expected for this location. 

“We want to augment existing services like it once was,” Kalischefski said. “We would like to start building in fall, that is going to be really pushing it, but that is our goal.” If their goal is met, the gas station could become a reality by next spring.

As far as what the future holds for a Wheeling Gas N’ Wash location, Kalischefski says he is confident in planning and zoning, the village and Cook County transportation officials to approve their impending applications.

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