BATAVIA – Citing a lack of business, CiCi's Pizza this week closed its restaurant at 2014 W. Wilson St. in Batavia.
"We've enjoyed being part of the community, but the economy has been a little tough," franchise owner Frank Zak said. "We weren't able to stay open."
The restaurant, which was located off Randall Road, closed its doors at midnight Tuesday after being open for
4½ years at the location.
"We were trying to put it off as long as possible," Zak said. The restaurant was the only one in Kane County. Zak said he has no plans at this time to open another CiCi's in the area.
While the Batavia restaurant is closing, Zak said his locations on Butterfield Road in Downers Grove and on Irving Park Boulevard in Streamwood will remain open.
Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said he was disappointed to hear CiCi's had closed. He noted that while CiCi's has closed, two new restaurants are expected to open in the Randall Road corridor later this year – Chick-fil-A and Golden Corral.
Chick-fil-A plans to build a 4,869-square-foot restaurant with a two-lane drive through at the corner of McKee Street and Randall Road, in front of the former Wickes furniture store.
In addition, Golden Corral franchise owner Sam Gibson said he plans by the end of March or early April to finally open a Golden Corral restaurant at the corner of Main Street and Randall Road. The building has been sitting empty since being completed in October 2008. The property has been tied up in foreclosure.
"We're waiting for the bank to clear up the liens so we can close on the property," Gibson said on Friday. "I want to get the restaurant open as soon as possible. I thank God we are where we are at."
Gibson owns another Golden Corral in Schereville, Ind.
