Burr Ridge Should Avoid La Grange Experience: Mayor

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge's mayor suggested recently that the village avoid the experience of nearby La Grange, which he contended became "oversaturated" with restaurants for a time.

At a Burr Ridge Village Board meeting late last month, Mayor Gary Grasso questioned whether the village was getting near that point. He was speaking during a discussion over whether to approve a new Mediterranean restaurant in the Village Center called Pella.

"I don't want to move dollars around the village. I would like to bring in more dollars to the village," the mayor said. "Do we have the demand for this?"

In response, interim Village Administrator Evan Walter said the village sees a lot of "leakage" in the food and drink industry, meaning many residents are going to towns such as La Grange and Hinsdale for wining and dining. He said reports show that residents within a 2- to 6-mile trade area lack enough restaurants to satisfy local demand.

Grasso said saturation may not be a concern now, but urged village trustees to keep the issue in their minds.

"I just think that should be on our radar screen as these restaurants are starting to come up," the mayor said. "I think we want to be an entertainment destination. We realize the Village Center will never be a retail shopping area."

Patch left a message with La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler on the issue of restaurant saturation.