New Pizza Place Opening In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — A downtown Joliet businessman told Joliet Patch on Tuesday he will be opening Celine's Pizza at the empty storefront next to his liquor store, Ranch Liquors, 83 West Jefferson St. Jack Bashir said the restaurant at 81 Jefferson St. is named after his granddaughter.

Besides pizza pies, Celine's Pizza plans to sell pizza by the slice, chicken wings and offer beer and wine products.

Bashir has submitted his plans to the city of Joliet's building department and he has also applied for a liquor license to sell beer and wine at the restaurant. Bashir said he would like to open the pizza restaurant during January, if all goes as planned.

"I'm not rushing it, but it depends on the city," he told Joliet Patch on Tuesday. "Once I get the permit, I go full force."

Bashir said he also wants to have an outdoor beer garden as part of Celine's Pizza.

He believes a pizza and wings restaurant will be a great compliment to the new $215 million Will County Courthouse that will open during the first or second week in November. During Monday's tour of the new courthouse, Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt said the three-year construction project is at least 95 percent done.

Bashir said he is thrilled to have his businesses directly across the street from the new 10-story, 38 courtroom county building that will draw several thousand visitors at least five days a week.

"It's a positive for the whole city," Bashir said.

As far as Celine's Pizza, the owner of Ranch Liquors told Joliet Patch "it's going to be a positive for the city. Hopefully, the pandemic will be over."

The beer garden, in all likelihood, would not open until late spring or next summer, Bashir said.

"I know we do have a liquor application in for that property, so I guess we're kind of in the middle of reviewing that project," city of Joliet economic development specialist Derek Conley told Joliet Patch. "Without knowing all the details, it's a great location. You've got City Hall, which has a lot of employees, and then of course, it's right next door to the new courthouse, which is expected to open soon. A lot of employees here in the area, I think they would like to have a pizza place right across the street, so we're looking forward to working with the business owner."

Bashir told Patch he has owned Ranch Liquors on West Jefferson Street since 2006. He also previously owned several other Ranch Liquors in the Joliet area.

The opening of Celine's Pizza may serve as a catalyst for further economic development across from the new courthouse.

In July, Joliet Patch broke the news that the vacant McBrody's Sports Bar & Grill property is back up for sale.

Related coverage: Photos: New Will County Courthouse Nears Opening