CLARENDON HILLS, IL – A Clarendon Hills restaurant on Monday asked for a larger village subsidy than it originally sought.
But trustees stuck with the initial amount.
Last month, the Village Board preliminarily voted to give $62,555 in assistance to Little Creperie, which is moving across the street to 95 Park Ave.
On Monday, the trustees were asked to increase that amount to $90,505. The additional $27,950 would have gone toward a temporary outdoor dining deck.
Trustees, however, said they wanted to create a long-term plan for outdoor dining downtown. They said spending the $27,950 for potentially one year was not a good use of money.
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Village President Eric Tech said the board wanted to develop a permanent solution, "not just for you, but for everybody."
"$30,000 is a lot for one summer," he said
Little Creperie's owner, Linda Klapsis, said she could come up with a couple more estimates for the work to possibly reduce the amount.
The board voted for the $62,555 in aid, which would pay for making the building at 95 Park Ave. handicapped-accessible and bringing it up to fire, electrical and plumbing codes.
Also at Monday's meeting, representatives of Clarendon Hills-based Michael Abraham Architecture presented initial plans for renovating 100 Park Ave., where Little Creperie is moving from.
Architects presented plans for Sparrow Coffee in Clarendon Hills on Monday. Sparrow Coffee also has locations in Naperville and Chicago. (David Giuliani/Patch)
Sparrow Coffee, which has locations in Chicago and Naperville, plans to move into the building. The structure was once the site of Starbucks, which closed earlier this year, and a State Farm Insurance office.
Under the plan, the building would undergo major renovations, with the new look including much glass.
Tech said he had heard from residents who were concerned about the aesthetics of the proposed renovation. He said they fear it may not fit into the downtown's character.
"We should have an open and public debate, so people will have their views heard," Tech said.
Sparrow Coffee has not presented its request for village assistance, but plans to do so.
The money for both buildings would come from a tax increment financing district, where growth in property tax income is re-invested in the district.