Goodbye Super Wash, Hello Starbucks: Councilman Larry Hug Reveals

JOLIET, IL —Three years ago, the Joliet City Council rejected a proposal to turn the Super Wash property at 1900 Essington Road into a used car dealership. On Tuesday night, Joliet's recently re-elected City Councilman Larry Hug informed everyone that there will be a Starbucks coffee shop that will be taking over the property near Thomas Hickey Drive.

The car wash will be torn to make way for the Starbucks, according to Hug.

"The vast majority of residents in the subdivisions are going to see this as a real positive addition for the community," Hug told Joliet Patch.

Hug said the City Council will vote on the Starbucks' drive-thru permit at its next meeting in June. Hug expects the construction project would take at least a couple of months. The project will include the demolition of the Super Wash, according to Hug.

"Starbucks puts up their own buildings," Hug remarked.

Starbucks coffee shops continue to be a stimulant for Joliet's economic development. One just opened at the former Pier 1 Imports store property near the Louis Joliet Mall. Another new Starbucks has been built near the VASA Fitness and Portillo's Pickup along North Larkin Avenue at the North Ridge Plaza.

And now, Essington Road will be getting one, according to Hug.

Back in the summer of 2020, Joliet Patch reported that the plans to tear down the Super Wash and replace it with a used car dealership met strong opposition from some area residents who wanted the City Council to deny the special use permit because they feared the addition of another car dealership would be detrimental to Chignoli Auto Sales, 1850 Essington Road.