Big Plans For Old Baba's Corner

Baba's, the iconic eatery at the gateway to Shorewood, closed its doors for good nearly a year ago.

The building has sat vacant since, a symbol of the hard times plaguing not just Shorewood but the whole nation.

But that symbol has turned to one of hope and ambition, as the owners of the property at the northwest corner of Routes 52 and 59 got the go-ahead from the village board to launch a massive redevelopment project.

"That's the anchor of our community, I believe it is," Mayor Rick Chapman said of the intersection of 52 and 59, the northwest corner of which has been owned by the family of village Trustee Dan Anderson for three generations.

The village board voted unanimously — with Anderson abstaining — for a zoning change that will let the Anderson family tear down the Baba's building, renovate the exteriors of two existing businesses on the property, build a whole new restaurant and a pair of office spaces, grade the land and improve the entrances and exits from the two major roads.

Dave Anderson, one of Dan Anderson's three brothers, said his family wants to get to work on the project as soon as possible and plans to be finished by fall.

The Andersons already have tenants in place for the restaurant. Cosmo's Family restaurant will replace Baba's.

Dave Anderson said he hopes to attract professionals, such as doctors, for the two office spaces. He asked anyone interested in leasing the office to call him at 815-482-2758.

The Andersons first opened Anderson's Family restaurant on the property in 1936, Dave Anderson said. The corner was later home to a service station. Baba's then opened in 1973 and operated until May 2010.

"It was a landmark, and it was an entryway into Shorewood," said Trustee Gary Fitzgerald, who also called Baba's a "gathering place" for the community.

Trustee Dan Gron complimented the Andersons for their work in pulling the project together.

"I'm just glad the family's still there and the family still has ownership," Chapman said.