Basinger's Almost Done? Here's What It Looks Like: Photos

JOLIET, IL — When is the new Basinger's Pharmacy going to open in Joliet on the former site of Senor Tequila? It's taking too long. It should have been done by now.

As the Joliet Patch editor, those are the comments I've heard from several readers over these past several months. Around Joliet, people seem to get impatient when it comes to notable construction projects.

For many weeks, impatient citizens were taking to Facebook to ask one another in the Joliet Area Bar and Restaurant Guide of Brian Bessler when the Pizza Ranch in Shorewood was going to open because in their mind, it should have opened a lot quicker.

It never fails.

Here in Joliet, the Basinger's Pharmacy redevelopment has been a hot topic of conversation and plenty of controversy for years. The construction project was approved by Joliet's City Council back in 2016.

Afterward, the Senor Tequila property sat empty for the next several years as the construction of the future Basinger's Pharmacy store did not begin.

Then in September 2021, pre-fabricated walls were delivered on flatbed trucks. Construction for the new 5,000-square-foot building for the Basinger's Pharmacy was underway for everyone in Joliet to see.

Then, to the dismay of a number of people, the Basinger's construction stalled for a while.

Here's one message I received from a guy named Tom — way back in May 2022.

"Hi John, Just wanted to let you know that it seems like there is no work being done on the new Basingers drug store. Everytime you do a story it helps."

And now for the positive news.

I learned on Thursday that the opening of the new Basinger's Pharmacy, which will feature several medical office rooms for exams and tests, as well as a liquor store area, should be open around the middle of September.

I toured the inside of the new Basinger's building along with a nearby business owner who said he's a close friend of the Basinger Pharmacy's owner.

Also, Thursday, contractors were making the new business sign that will display the Basinger's Pharmacy name along the busy corridor of West Jefferson Street.

The actual sign will be delivered in about three weeks, the workers said.

When all the work is all finished, Basinger's will be moving their medical business from their long-time location across the street in the Marycrest Shopping Center.

And once that happens, you be sure, Joliet area residents — myself included —will turn our attention to another construction project, one that seems to be taking too long to finish.

Related Joliet Patch coverage over the years:

Jefferson Street Revival: Here's Why Things Look Rosier Each Day

Senor Tequila Ruins: New Building Will Be Up In No Time

Lawsuit: Joliet Not Messing Around With Senor Tequila

Basinger's Senor Tequila Property Is Public Nuisance