Landmark Glenview Patio Shop Demolished for Parking Lot after Village Purchased it for $1.9 Million

GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Glenview Patio Shop, a local landmark that stood for over 70 years, was demolished on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to make way for a public parking lot. The demolition, carried out by Fowler Enterprises, marks the end of an era for the property at 1755-1767 Glenview Road.
The Village of Glenview purchased the building in November 2023 for $1.9 million. Initial plans for the property were uncertain; a village official was previously cited saying, “The village plans to hold the property until a new redevelopment opportunity aligns with its downtown strategic plan.” The shift to a parking lot represents a significant change from that initial stance.
The now-razed building was constructed in 1952 and was listed by the preservation group Landmarks Illinois. The organization described the structure as being built of stone and brick with a distinctive canopy overhang. Its famous sign was not lost to the wrecking ball, however.
“Someone from the village stopped by and picked up the famous The Patio Shop sign that was on top of the building," said Jake Fowler, owner of Fowler Enterprises, the demolition contractor.
The building’s final tenant, the Great Harvest Bread Company, saw little business during its temporary, pre-Thanksgiving stint. A ribbon-cutting for the shop was held just months ago, attended by Village President Mike Jenny and a representative from the Glenview Chamber of Commerce.
Parking Problem Drives Decision
The origin of the parking lot idea is not officially clear, but some residents have long advocated for such a solution. Emails from 2021 sent to President Jenny by long-time villagers identified a "huge parking problem" as the main obstacle to attracting restaurants downtown, suggesting the village purchase The Patio Shop property for a public lot.
“The shop has been half empty for over a decade and falling apart - we needed a parking lot,” said one downtown resident.
While the village states the new lot can be used by any business or resident, its primary beneficiary appears to be The Jackman Company restaurant, located just a quarter-block away. The popular restaurant, which currently has only four dedicated parking spaces, has been using The Patio Shop lot for valet parking since it opened. The demolition will create more spaces for this purpose.
Significant Public Investment in Jackman
The village's support for Jackman is substantial. According to the Chicago Tribune it is the biggest investment in a restaurant by a town in the history of the suburbs. The village provided Ballyhoo Hospitality, the restaurant's operator, with a $1.75 million grant and a $2.3 million loan at 2.3% interest. According to a Chicago Tribune report, Glenview taxpayers could be liable for up to $4.6 million if Jackman closes.
This is the second parking lot the village has created for the restaurant. Late last year, the village purchased the former Scot Dry Cleaners on Waukegan Road for $300,000, demolished it, and built another lot, which is now primarily used by Jackman valets. In total, the village has invested approximately $7 million in support of Jackman and its parking needs.
The former Patio Shop lot is expected to serve as a public parking area for three to five years while the village develops additional long-term plans for downtown parking.
Historical Context: A Downtown Divided
The struggle to revitalize downtown Glenview has deep roots. About one-third of its storefronts have been vacant for decades. Cathy Schiltz, owner of Glenview Grind coffee shop, noticed the "problem" when she managed a Caribou Coffee at the same intersection. Determined to revive the area, she founded the Friends of Downtown Glenview organization to help bring businesses back, feeling there was little effort from the village at the time.
Illinois Landmarks website listed the building built in 1952 as a landmark in Illinois and says the building was built of stone and brick with a canopy overhang. Illinois Landmark is an organization that is trying to “save places for people” according to their website.
Many trace the decline to 1995, following the closure of the Naval Air Station. Village officials created a special Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the redeveloped area, now known as The Glen. From 1998 to 2021, 100% of the TIF tax revenue was legally required to be spent within The Glen, which comprises one-third of the village, leaving downtown and other areas without those funds.
“I am presuming to make up for what they did,” said one business owner, referencing the subsequent creation of the Permanent Fund. This fund, which contained $30 million in 2023, was established from the sale of Hangar One and has rules stipulating its use be confined to downtown Glenview. This has raised questions about fairness for businesses in other parts of the village, such as far north Waukegan Road or the far west side.
The demolition was performed by Fowler Enterprises, which the village has used for several recent projects. The company is based in Hampshire, though its website lists a South Elgin address.
The village mailed a questionnaire to all residents living downtown before the summer asking for helping and ideas on what to do about the parking problem. Several residents suggest that since the village had already purchased The Patio Shop that they create a parking lot there.
This story was reported by the Glenview Daily, a nonprofit media company based in Glenview. The Daily has no paywall and runs no advertising. It is the only media company of any kind based in the village. For more, find Glenview Daily on Facebook. The executive editor is a 22-year staff veteran of the Daily Herald.