Panera Plans To Move South Into Deerbrook Shopping Center

DEERFIELD, IL — The Plan Commission last week fielded a request from a Panera Bread franchisee looking to move its Deerfield location to a building at the remodeled Deerbrook Shopping Center. The local owner, Chicago Bread, LLC opened its first location in Deerfield in 1998 and said the new location shows the company's commitment to the Deerfield community, according to a memo from Vice President Randal Allen.

Proposed about 1,000 feet south on Waukegan Road from its current location, the new Panera would include 101 seats inside and 22 outside a 4,470-square-foot building at 385 Lake Cook Road. It will be staffed with 50 to 60 employees and also offer catering.

A company representative said the location will represent Panera's "fourth generation" of design, Pioneer Press reported. It will include parking spots reserved for customers picking up orders made online or on their cell phones.

Deerbrook Shopping Center owner Gateway Fairview and developer REVA Development Partners are also seeking approval to build 246 residential units on a nearly 11-acre site on the southwest portion of the shopping center to replace the Brunswick Zone, Joy of the Game and NTB Tire and Service Center. It would be compromised of a five-story building with 186 units and 60 townhomes behind Deerbrook with a parking lot buffering against the Edens Spur, with rents ranging from $1,450 to $3,400.

At a Sept. 7 discussion of the project, Mayor Harriet Rosenthal asked the developers to return to the board to present ideas about incorporating workforce housing, a new street name and more information about how it would incorporate a pedestrian connection.

Other recently added businesses to the Deerbrook Shopping Center include Art Van Furniture, City Barbeque, The Dump, Hobby Lobby, Jewel-Osco and Stein Mart. A public hearing before the plan commission to discuss the Panera franchisee's request for a special use permit has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, according to the Review.

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