Lemont mural finds new home in village hall

LEMONT – A painting from the closed PC's Pancake Cafe has found a permanent home at the Lemont Village Hall.

Former restaurant owners Andy Avalos and village trustee Paul Chialdikas dedicated the mural of downtown Lemont during the Lemont Village Board meeting Dec. 9.

The mural hangs on the wall opposite the mayor and trustees in the Village Board's meeting room.

Avalos, a meteorologist with NBC Chicago, said he had artist Sue Spero paint the mural when he opened the restaurant in 2000.

He said the mural, which depicts the Lemont skyline, was the focal point of the cafe.

"It wasn't just a painting we had for the restaurant," he said. "It really was the restaurant."

Chialdikas, who purchased the business in 2004, said keeping the mural was part of the contract he signed when he took over PC's.

He said when he closed the restaurant earlier this year, he called Avalos to ask about what they should do with the mural.

"We thought (the village hall) would be a great place to dedicate this mural," Chialdikas said.

Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves was happy to have mural in the meeting room, even though it was because the restaurant had closed.

"When you see something sad that happens in town, something good always comes out of it," he said.