Taps Tips BBQ Gets Final Eviction Notice

JOLIET, IL — Documents posted on the Taps Tips Smokehouse windows along Theodore Street inform Joliet restaurant owner Michael Tapley that he has been served with his final notice of eviction.

The Feb. 23 letter was posted on Will County Sheriff's Office stationery and contains the following statement: WARNING: FINAL EVICTION NOTICE.

Michael Tapley operates his Taps Tips BBQ takeout restaurant at 3111 Theodore St. and his Taps Tips Eat & Play in the next door storefront at 3109 Theodore St.

Although there is a giant sign in the window proclaiming "OPEN," that is not the case at all.

On Jan. 6, Joliet Patch published a story with the following headline, "Taps Tips BBQ Hopes To Reopen." Tapley told Patch at the time that the closure was temporary, not permanent.

"Yes, we are currently closed due to lack of employees. I'm in conversation with investors. They will be looking to bring in a complete crew. I'll keep you posted," Tapley responded.

Taps Tips isn't the only Joliet area restaurant to shut down this year.

The Amigeaux's Sophisticated Street Food restaurant on Joliet's West Jefferson Street at the former Arby's location abruptly closed last weekend.

The Steve's Bakery on Route 59 also announced it has permanently closed after being in Shorewood for less than three years.

On a brighter note, construction for the Joliet area's first Pizza Ranch restaurant, which will be built next to the new LaQuinta Inn & Suites in Shorewood near Interstate 55, will begin in the near future, according to Shorewood village officials.