Close Enough For Comfort

I am more inclined than some people toward healthy dining choices. But, like pretty much everyone, I have been known to find temporary solace in a plate of comfort food — particularly if it includes bacon and maple syrup.

This past Thursday, my staff and I met with Alderman Matt Villa and representatives of DESCO and Cracker Barrel Restaurants. Cracker Barrel, a family restaurant chain familiar to people who drive on interstate highways, is interested in locating a store in the Loughborough Commons development at Loughborough and I-55.

Cracker Barrel seldom locates stores in the hearts of urban areas. That means that local Cracker Barrel fans have had to drive someplace else to get to one of their restaurants. Now, they won’t. More important, this will be the only Cracker Barrel within a lot of miles on I-55. That means that we will not only get the benefit of tax revenue from our own residents but also from people in surrounding counties and those traveling long distances on I-55. Cracker Barrel projects sales in this location at between $4 and $5 million per year.

It will be great to have a new family restaurant in the City. Senior Cracker Barrel executives still have to approve the site, but I look forward to welcoming this new restaurant to the City in the very near future.