Chicken-N-Spice Farewell: Senator Connor Presents Award

JOLIET, IL — State Sen. John Connor has eaten inside downtown Joliet's Chicken-N-Spice for many years, going back to his days as a top criminal prosecutor at the Will County State's Attorney's Office. Tuesday marked his final chance to patronize Chicken-N-Spice.

After 42 years running the restaurant on downtown Joliet's North Chicago Street, Ken and Pat Reimer are retiring. Their farewell party for the community began at 1:30 p.m. As a large crowd of people gathered around the dining room of the restaurant, Connor stood near the front counter, presenting the Reimers with a state recognition award.

"I'm just here today to present this Illinois State Senate certificate of recognition to Ken and Pat Reimer for 42 years of dedication and service in downtown Joliet," Connor announced as people began clapping and cheering.

Afterward, Connor told Joliet Patch that the Reimers' contribution to Joliet has been remarkable, especially the fact that they were successful all of these years in downtown Joliet.

"Forty-two years of dedication and service in downtown Joliet," Connor said. "That's the big thing."

The dining room was overflowing with happy faces, but some people became teary-eyed as they hugged Pat Reimer or shook hands with Ken Reimer, wishing them the best on their upcoming retirement. There were nine cakes made for Tuesday's retirement party, including one made by the students at the Joliet Junior College's culinary arts campus right next door.

Joliet Patch asked Pat Reimer for her reaction to Tuesday's sendoff celebration.

"I'm nervous and excited today," she said. "Really, I've got nothing else. Those are my true feelings right now."

Pat Reimer told Patch the restaurant was supposed to stay open until 6 p.m. Tuesday. "The kids have really been working hard," she said. "They are still cutting chicken back there. It's amazing."

Ken Reimer told Patch he was grateful for all the support Chicken-N-Spice has received for all these years. During the past eight days, after announcing their retirement, the front counter was busy nonstop.

Only one time, briefly, was there not someone in line ready to order a Chicken-N-Spice meal during the past eight days, as tens of thousands of Will County residents learned on Labor Day that the original Chicken-N-Spice would be closing its doors forever.

"Joliet is a super town," Ken Reimer said.

Reimer told Patch that he was thankful that Mayor Bob O'Dekirk stopped by Tuesday afternoon to offer his well-wishes. Reimer told Patch that O'Dekirk "has done a great job," as the city's mayor.

How many chicken chunks were prepared for Tuesday afternoon's retirement party?

There were 35 cases of chunks, with 135 chunks in each case. That's a grand total of 6,300 chicken chunks.

O'Dekirk said it's bittersweet for Joliet to lose Chicken-N-Spice, given how much of an impact the Reimers have had on the city. "They've been a staple in downtown Joliet for years, and they will be very missed," O'Dekirk said.

The Chicken-N-Spice property has been owned by the Joliet Junior College for years. JJC officials are expected to demolish the fast-food restaurant at some point in the future to use the lot for additional campus parking.

Steve Wiborg and Joe DiGuglielmo, the franchise owners of Chicken-N-Spice restaurants in Shorewood and Orland Hills, were at Tuesday's retirement party, serving up cake and chicken chunks for guests.

They told Patch that although they are considering opening a new Chicken-N-Spice in New Lenox, the plans are not finalized. They also have not closed the door to putting a Chicken-N-Spice restaurant somewhere else in Joliet.

"It would be something we will be looking into," DiGuglielmo said.

September also marks the third anniversary of the Shorewood Chicken-N-Spice at Route 59 and Jefferson Street. Unlike the downtown Joliet location that is closing, the Shorewood fast-food restaurant has a drive-thru window.

"The store in Shorewood does great, it's a great group of people to serve. The community supports us. We couldn't be happier with the town," DiGuglielmo added.