Grant Deadline Extended For R. Salerno Restaurant Group Development

LISLE, IL — The Lisle village Council has extended the timeline of the village's business development grants program to give R. Salerno Group more time to begin work on a restaurant and deli development planned for 4700-4704 Main St.

The extension was unanimously approved at Monday's village meeting, following recommendation from village staff.

In Jan. 2024, the village board gave approval for a Business Development Program Grants Agreement with R. Salerno Group for reimbursable grant funding of no more than $165,000, per village documents. The agreement gave R. Salerno Group 12 months to complete its designated development work.

A three-month extension was grated after the 12 months expired.

Requesting a continued extension, R. Salerno Group cited "delays in the design and architectural plan phase," according to village documents.

The approved extension gives R. Salerno Group until Dec. 31, 2025, for the restaurant and until June 30, 2026, for its adjacent deli and retail market.

At Monday's meeting, Trustee Dan Grecco said he was in favor of the extension, but added, "I don't think it's a valid excuse to say you've had other commitments, because you made a commitment to make the application to begin with."

As a result, Grecco said he was voting in favor of the extension, not due to the reason for the request, but "given the applicant's successes."

R. Salerno Restaurant Group helms several restaurants in the Chicagoland area, including Evviva! Bar & Eatery in Lisle, Salerno's Pizzeria and R. Bar in Western Springs and Whiskey Hill Brewing Company.

The concept for the 4700-4704 Main Street includes a restaurant with a full-service bar. The restaurant will offer breakfast and lunch items that include breakfast pizzas, per village documents. Additionally, the site's deli and market will offer deli meets and pre-packaged food items for purchase.

Work on the corner's current building requires "significant upgrades in order to meet current health code," village documents state. These upgrades, which will be funded partially by the grant money, include ADA compliance improvements, new water service and a remodeling of the restaurant area.