Outdoor Café Leases OK'd For 3 Downtown Frankfort Restaurants

FRANKFORT, IL — With spring coming right around the corner, the Village of Frankfort Board of Trustees approved a motion Monday that allows three downtown Frankfort restaurants to lease the sidewalks and right of way spaces so that patrons can dine outdoors when the weather gets warmer.

Trustees approved a three-year lease agreement for sidewalk and right of way use with: Fat Rosie's Taco & Tequila Bar, 28 Kansas St.; Francesca's Fortunato, 40 Kansas St.; and Trails Edge Brewing Company, 20 Kansas St.

The Board approved the proposal based on the Committee of the Whole's recommendation from its Feb. 9 meeting, according to Village documents.

The Village will lease 265 square feet to Fat Rosie's, 506 square feet to Francesca's and 792 square feet to Trails Edge. The Village will charge $7 per square foot in 2022, $7.50 in 2023 and $8 in 2024.

Francesca's General Manager Breanne Murphy said the restaurant plans to begin the outdoor café seating "as soon as possible," once the weather starts to cooperate. Staff at Trails Edge said they plan to begin outdoor seating in early April, also dependent on the weather.

The lease agreement allows the businesses to operate the outdoor café seating from March through October. The businesses may use the outdoor seating in March and November, but "only for the purpose of operating an outdoor seating area directly related to the adjoining restaurant operated by the Lessee," according to Village documents.