New Businesses to Open in Arlington Heights

Though the vacancy rate in the Village of Arlington Heights is currently at 12 percent, it is slowly and surely improving. 

“Blight leads to other commercial blight,” said John Melaniphy, business and development coordinator for Arlington Heights, “That’s why we’re so aggressive in our efforts to retain and attract business.”

Twelve percent, Melaniphy said, is not uncommon in the current economic environment.

In 2009 the vacancy rate was 14 percent. It’s been a difficult turnaround, Melaniphy said, but the village is encouraged. Expected to open next year, a handful of new businesses are headed to Arlington Heights to fill vacancies.

After attracting customers and bringing business to Arlington Heights for about 40 years, the fine dining destination, Le Titi de Paris, served its last dish about six months ago.

“The owners chose to go out on a high note,” Melaniphy said, “They closed on their own terms.”

Renowned for its excellence in French cuisine and expert service, Le Titi de Paris, 1015 W. Dundee Road, closed in June. Melaniphy said the owners informed the village of their plans and the business and development committee got to work to replace one business with three. 

Qdoba, a Mexican grill, Caribou Coffee and Supercuts are scheduled to open this coming spring at the intersection of W. Dundee Road and N. Kennicott Avenue, Melaniphy said.

“In an environment where we’re not getting a lot of interest from fine dining,” Melaniphy said, “The restaurant sold to a developer who recognizes the growth in fast casual restaurants.”

Melaniphy said the business and development committee cannot do anything without the property or business owners’ permission but it can help the process along.

The committee strategizes to match businesses to buildings to attract and keep businesses in Arlington Heights. Once an owner or investor shows interest, the village works with the new owner in acquiring the property and obtaining necessary permits and licenses.

Most new restaurants opening in the general vicinity, Melaniphy said, are “fast casual restaurants,” like Jimmy John’s, Potbelly’s and Chik-fil-A. “It’s not big restaurants or fine dining restaurants coming in."

That shift has made it , but new businesses are coming in. 

“We try to have a vision,” said Melaniphy, “We want it to be a destination that serves residents and visitors to Arlington Heights.” 

Vacant for about two years, the former Boston Blackie’s, 222 E. Algonquin Road, will become Rackhouse Tavern, a sports bar and barbecue restaurant. Melaniphy said the 10,000-square-foot facility will open this spring.

A new breakfast and lunch spot also will soon be open for business, at the old Max and Erma’s, 306 E. Rand Road, which has been vacant for five years. The owners of Honey Berry are currently in the process of getting building permits from the village, and will most likely also open in the spring.

It's like a domino effect, Melaniphy said, just like closings spread, so do openings. “If filled," Melaniphy said, "It’s highly publicized and other restaurants take notice." 

To share your thoughts on what new business should fill vacanies in Arlington Heights, check out the Arlington Heights Patch 'Vision for Vacancy" series.