Politics & Government
Hamburger Jones Aims for September Debut in Former Good Earth Market Building
Plans call for new restaurant to occupy greenhouse area, as well as offer outdoor seating.
Plans have changed once again for the building housing the former Good Earth Market on the southeast corner of York and Vallette streets.
In March, Elmhurst Patch reported that the building's owner, Regan Cronin, had planned to and offer a small "Bier Garten" in the greenhouse on the east side of the building. While the plans for the market still appear to be moving forward, the business now operating in the greenhouse may not be Edelweiss.
The plan has, for some time, been for two businesses to share the space. On Monday, the Public Affairs and Safety Committee heard a proposal from Anthony Gambino, owner of Salseria Grill and Cantina, to use 2,200 square feet of the building, including the greenhouse area, for his new restaurant, Hamburger Jones.
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Gambino assured the committee that Hamburger Jones would be a “restaurant that serves liquor, not a bar that serves food.” His proposal received a first-round nod from the committee.
Gambino said that in addition to the greenhouse on the east side of the building, outside seating will be offered in a small area at the corner of York and Vallette and on an outdoor patio near the parking lot on the east side.
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Gambino's partners, Ken Patchak, Bob Ceddia and Alfredo Luna, are requesting a full liquor license but do not plan to offer packaged sales. Gambino said he expects to spend $250,000 to $300,000 to renovate the space and plans to employ 30 or 40 staff members.
Cronin approached the committee with the idea for Edelweiss, a European-style deli and eatery, last spring. Committee members OK'd a liquor license for the business but, based on some wording in the preliminary plans, were concerned that a would end up sharing the space. With Hamburger Jones planning to lease the space, that appears to no longer be a concern.
A revamped version of the Edelweiss concept still is planned for the remaining 4,000 square feet of the building.
The committee's recommendation now goes to the full City Council.
