Joliet Route 66 Diner Doesn't Make It, But Good News On Horizon?

JOLIET — Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy and his staff at City Hall are facing another downtown Joliet setback as the Joliet City Council learned at Tuesday night's meeting that The Joliet Route 66 Diner, a popular tourist destination, has closed up for good.

During the past several months, downtown Joliet lost both of its microbreweries, first MyGrain Brewing Company, then Elder Brewing Company on Cass Street closed in January.

By 10 a.m. Wednesday, at least three out-of-town visitors showed up at the Joliet Route 66 Diner and tugged on the restaurant doors without success.

They didn't know the Route 66 Diner is locked up, closed permanently. And with world-wide Historic Route 66 tourism season just a few weeks away, there's no guarantee that a new restaurant will be open by then.

At Tuesday night's meeting, several people affiliated with the Route 66 Diner addressed the Council during the public comment forum. They informed the Council the diner has closed permanently, and they made disparaging comments about their landlord, blaming the landlord for not working with them as they fell behind on their monthly rent payments over the years.

On the bright side, there is a possibility the property owners of the downtown Joliet building, which includes the Joliet Hotel Plaza, will find a new restaurant to take over the property.

Mark Koenig, who owns The Koenig Group real estate services, is advertising the restaurant property at 22-24 West Clinton Street on several websites for commercial properties.

According to his listing: "Prime downtown Joliet location — Just 2 blocks from the New Will County Governmental Complex, Will County Courthouses, & Federal Court, City of Joliet Offices, The Rialto Square Theatre, Multiple Will County Offices, Lewis University, Joliet Junior College, Harrah’s Casino, Illinois Rock and Roll Museum and across the street from the Joliet Public Library.

"This restaurant is located within Joliet's “Special Service Area” giving incoming restaurateur the opportunity to apply for grant funds," Koenig noted in his listing."

The proposed rent for The Route 66 Diner is $3,000 a month total (includes, heat, $235 month for insurance & $78 a month for garbage)

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet's Route 66 Diner: 'We Get People From Europe, All Over'