Owner: Expansion Opportunity Reason For Santiago's Relcoation

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant will move two blocks southwest to 22 Calendar Court toward the end of August, owners said, after 15 years at the highly-visible downtown location of 9 S. La Grange Road.

On Calendar Court, Santiago's will have more dining areas, an expanded bar seating 18, a private party room seating 30 and proximity to a parking lot, owner Serafin Jimenez said. The new sprinkler system will not permit the bevy of piñatas, a favorite of children, he said, but the decor will reflect the same "fiesta" atmosphere. And, he plans for menu and prices to remain unchanged, initially, following the move.

The new features have been planned to both attract an expanded clientele and satisfy regular customers, Jimenez said, but he is realistic about the risk of losing customers due to the location change.

"I fear some may not get comfortable right away," Jimenez said.

Bob Kilinskis, a tax consultant from Clarendon Hills, is concerned his family may not come to the new restaurant as much, as it is more out of the way than the La Grange Road location.

"You can't see it off La Grange Road and Café 36 [, the former restaurant at 22 Calendar Court that went out of business,] didn't do well there, did they?" Kilinskis said. "Going to miss this location, I really like this restaurant."

The risk of losing customers comes from regular patrons, who are unaware of the new whereabouts, visiting the old location only to find it vacant or replaced, said Robert E. Ware, executive director of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but the window signs at Santiago's have been alerting the public for some time, minimizing that risk.

"If you've told your customers three or four months ahead of time—and I think [Santiago's is] doing that—most all of your customers will probably know where you are," Ware said.

Jimenez and his wife, Susana, said they had discussed relocation for some time since they failed to see room for "any potential growth" at Santiago's current location.

When Santiago's lease ended last year, Jimenez began to look nearby for a new spot.

"We love La Grange, so we wanted to stay within one block," he said.

Ryan Williamson, president of the La Grange Business Association, said Santiago's decision to stay in La Grange is great for the town and the business community.

"Their restaurant has been here for a long time and to keep it in the community is going to be rewarded," he said.