Mystery Restaurant Headed to Former Cinnamon Café Location

A local brunch spot has shut its doors, but a new business could open in its place as soon as April. 

Cinnamon Café quietly closed in February with a “For Lease” sign appearing in the window at 1968 W. Lawrence Ave.

But according to the landlord, the space won’t be empty for long. 

Bertsch Properties owns the building, and proprietor Eloy Burciaga said he’s had “quite a bit of interest” in the opening. A potential tenant could move in as soon as April, he said. 

Though he wouldn’t name names, Burciaga said the prospects included a French bistro-type restaurant, a pancake house and a Guatemalan-themed eatery. 

Whatever the concept is, the trend of restaurants in that building is likely to continue, he said.

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Before becoming Cinnamon Café in October 2011, the space was known as Ravenswood Grill, featuring American diner food.

Ideas of change came from the new owners and chef—known only as Chef Hector—who took over in 2010. Though it retained the same management throughout the switch, the new menu incorporated Mexican flare into typical brunch dishes.

Multiple attempts to contact the restaurant owners and Chef Hector were unsuccessful, but Burciaga said the café closed because of a dispute between the owners. One ended up pulling out of the business and the other wasn’t able to move forward, he said.