HUNTLEY – An Italian eatery near Interstate 90 in Huntley plans to close nearly eight months after opening, but the soon-to-be vacant space isn't expected to remain empty for long.
After the Italian bistro opened in November, Marsala’s Italian Kitchen, 11900 Freeman Road, sold the business to another restaurant group, owner Frank Bolos told the Northwest Herald.
Future plans for the space that once held Niko’s Grill and Pub have not been finalized. The restaurant group that bought Marsala’s Italian Kitchen is weighing restaurant concepts, Bolos said.
But he expects a restaurant to be open at the location by the end of the year. The Jameson restaurant group, which helped Marsala’s Italian Kitchen open, would retain ownership of the property, he said.
“If an opportunity did arise to open up another Marsala’s, we wouldn’t shy away from it. We think we had a good, solid concept,” Bolos said. “Somebody came along who desperately wanted the space, and we decided to sell. It was a business decision.”
An attorney representing the Jameson group confirmed that a new tenant had been identified for the location, adding an official announcement is expected soon.
Village officials learned Monday through the Jameson group that Marsala’s Italian Kitchen planned to close, said Margo Griffin, business development coordinator for Huntley.
The Jameson group also told officials the group is finalizing details to bring a new restaurant to the location, near Route 47 and I-90, north of the Huntley Outlet Center, she said.
“We are excited about the prospect of a new concept coming in,” Griffin said. “We are excited to see what it is, and hopefully it will be a better fit than Marsala’s.”
The Italian bistro, which offers an array of Italian foods, wines and drinks, opened after the Jameson group extensively renovated the property, Griffin said.
The Italian operation was new to the Jameson group, a chain that operates char houses throughout the Chicago area and two others in South Carolina.
“This was their first go at an Italian concept,” Griffin said. “For whatever reason, it didn’t meet their expectations.”
Known for its steaks, chops and fresh fish, the Jameson group operates steakhouses at seven Chicago-area locations, including one inside Sun City Huntley and another in Crystal Lake.
Bolos said the Marsala’s Italian Kitchen staff, including managers, waiters and chefs, still will be employed and relocated to various Jameson steakhouses throughout the Chicago area.