What To Do With Darien's CVS Building

DARIEN, IL – It's clear neighbors don't want an auto body shop in the old CVS Pharmacy at Lemont Road and 83rd Street.

They are suggesting alternatives such as a restaurant, a brewery or a place for sports such as bocce ball, pickleball or volleyball.

Such ideas have already been considered, an official said Wednesday.

Dan Gombac, the city's municipal services director, spoke at a meeting of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. That body later rejected a Gerber Collision & Glass shop for the old CVS, following residents' comments against it.

Officials said the city understands frustrations with a vacant building at a key intersection. The pharmacy closed in April 2022.

For a time, the idea of two restaurants in the building was on the table, Gombac said. But the required investment to make that a reality was $750,000, he said.

"The owners are not in a financial position to be able to front that," Gombac said. "The restaurant owners would not have backing from any bank in regards to a loan for that amount."

As for a recreational facility, he said, the property lacks the parking and the building's ceiling is not high enough.

An urgent care facility? The city didn't consider that the best use for the site, Gombac said. And he acknowledged it wouldn't provide the sales tax money for the city that other businesses could.

He said Ace Hardware was also on the table.

"Ace Hardware only wanted to come in at a certain square foot price. Without a subsidy, the deal was not worth it," Gombac said.

He said the city has been working with Mike Peirce of the Schaumburg-based Storebuild commercial real estate firm.

"Mike has been very courteous and professional with us to say, 'Hey, how can we get something to work for the community?'" Gombac said. "That's why we are here today."

Storebuild took part in the presentation for Gerber to use the CVS building.

The commission voted 7-1 against the proposal. The City Council has the final say.