Not Enough Darien Sit-Down Restaurants: Aldermen

DARIEN, IL – A Darien alderman said Monday he has heard feedback that Darien has too many fast-food joints and not enough sit-down restaurants.

Alderman Gerry Leganski noted the planned 1,000-square-foot restaurant at the corner of 75th Street and Cass Avenue, next to Taco Bell. Given the proposed size, he expected it to be a fast-food eatery.

He was speaking during an economic development discussion during a Darien City Council meeting.

Leganski also lamented the news of Harmi Sushi and La Panza Latin American Grill closing in the Brookhaven Plaza.

Officials agreed that issues other than economics may have driven Harmi Sushi to close.

As for La Panza, its owners said they were closing because they wanted to prioritize their family. They said they were transitioning to a catering-only business.

"They were profitable," Mayor Joseph Marchese said. "They felt they were living there every day and couldn't get away from it."

Greg Bedalov, CEO of Choose DuPage, said his nonprofit group has databases that can help businesses with where to set up shop. That information, he said, can help a restaurant determine whether a certain location is not good based on several factors.

One major consideration is whether more people are working remotely and thus unlikely to visit restaurants during lunch, Bedalov said.