CARY – A developer is planning to open an Italian restaurant with a 750-degree brick oven at the vacant space at 7 Jandus Road, which previously housed Galati's restaurant.
The restaurant, dubbed 750 Cucina Rustica, is being proposed by owners Massimo and Filippo LoBue, who are planning to make $250,000 in improvements to the space. The developers hope to open in early fall.
The owners will seek liquor and video gaming licenses, permission for an outdoor dining area and financial assistance for facade and interior improvements from the village. The restaurant plan is scheduled to be discussed at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Planning documents indicate the planners have been involved in ownership of Incontro A Tavola in South Barrington and ZaZa’s Tavola Italiana in Lake Barrington.
A letter from the developer said the rustic Italian countryside would be the inspiration for the restaurant’s design, which will feature barn wood paneling and custom tables, booths and bars.
The menu would include brick oven pizza, pasta specialties, meat dishes and vegetarian options, with an average meal price of $24 a person. A children’s menu also would be offered.
The developers also hope to open an outdoor dining area on the south side of the restaurant along Spring Street.
The owners are also seeking a $10,000 Business Improvement Grant to assist with the costs of replacing the awnings, improving the vestibule and constructing the patio.
Additionally, developers are seeking a $125,000 loan through the village’s Revolving Loan Fund, which was established in 1987 as a means to assist new businesses with low-interest loans. The current account balance is $500,000.
Because the program has not been used for more than 10 years, the request likely will require additional review and discussion, officials said. Previously, the largest loan granted was about $39,000.
The restaurant is projected to create seven full-time and 22 part-time jobs with salaries ranging from $4.95 to $16 an hour, as well as two manager jobs that would pay $49,000 to $60,000 annually.