Des Plaines Panera Gets Makeover

A Des Plaines lunchtime hotspot has something more cooking than soups and sandwiches — a completely remodeled dining area. , has more booth seating, new paint, artwork and carpet, refurbished bathrooms and more, said Joseph Kalish, general manager of the restaurant.

“[The remodeling is] to spruce things up, and get things caught up with the current plans with Panera for new cafes that they’re building,” Kalish said. “Overall, give a brighter, new look to the dining area.”

Kalish said all the work was done at night, when the restaurant was closed, for three weeks. The interior work was completed at the end of March, he said. Kalish, who has managed the business since it opened in May 2006, said it was the first renovation since opening.

The remodeling project included approximately $150,000 in construction, according to a spokesperson for Panera Bread.

The most noticeable change for customers, Kalish said, may be the additional booth seating installed on the west side of the restaurant.

“[Booth seating] is the preferred type of seating for our customers,” Kalish said. “We’ve probably added six to eight seats on my count.”

The patio area will also be remodeled when the weather gets warmer, he added.

“So, big changes,” Kalish said.

Panera Bread, which is located in the Metropolitan Square development downtown, sometimes serves 3,500 to 4,000 guests during a week, Kalish said. Four additional electrical outlets were installed for customers with electronic devices, he said.

“I hope the customers are going to enjoy what we’ve done for them because that’s who we’re aiming to please,” Kalish said.

Kalish, who grew up in Des Plaines, said they consider the restaurant a neighborhood café, and many of their customers are within walking distance of the restaurant. The Des Plaines native said he enjoyed being involved in the community, and knowing many of the customers from growing up in the city.

“We try to portray ourselves as that warm, friendly atmosphere where [customers] can come in and enjoy, sit back and relax,” Kalish said.

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