Binny's Goes Before Joliet Council This Week

JOLIET, IL - Some people around Joliet had their hopes dashed late last year when the village of New Lenox made a huge splash by attracting Cooper's Hawk to build a new restaurant on Route 30 just up the road from Lincoln-Way Central High School. Cooper's Hawk intends to be open for customers around November. However, Joliet made a nice recovery in its own way.

In May, the city of Joliet announced that Binny's Beverage Depot plans to occupy the vacant HH Gregg store near the Louis Joliet Mall. The building is massive, 22,000 square foot. Binny's is on the Joliet City Council's Tuesday night meeting agenda. The popular Chicago area liquor business is seeking the council's approval of a Class C liquor license, which is for packed goods only.

The application was submitted by Michael Binstein, doing business as Binny's Beverage Depot. Binstein appeared before the city's liquor commission. He was joined by Stuart Stowe, Binny's manager.

"Michael stated he has been looking for the right location in Joliet for a very long time and is excited to have the store open," the mayor's memo indicates. "Mike plans on employing 30 people to start and more in the near future."

Binstein also told Joliet he "plans to open the store at the end of October."

The Joliet Binny's expects to keep the following store hours: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

"Mike does not plan on hiring anyone under the age of 21," the city memo states.

Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, as the city's liquor commissioner, has urged the city council to approve the liquor license request for Binny's.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor