JOLIET – A Domino's Pizza franchisee is building a sit-down restaurant on Collins Street.
Ray Montez, who has had a Domino's franchise on the East Side since 1991, has acquired a building that will be demolished to make room for the new restaurant at 235 N. Collins St.
Montez said the incoming restaurant will fit the new "pizza theater" concept developed by Domino's. The restaurants put the pizza-making process on display and add seating to what historically has been a carry-out franchise.
"This was my first store," Montez said of the East Side Domino's. "I got it in 1991 when it was on Cass Street."
He later moved to the present location at 571 N. Collins St. Montez has acquired the property at 235 N. Collins St. and expects to begin demolition in May.
"Our goal is to have it done by late fall – before the snow falls," he said.
Montez now has 15 Domino's locations, including one at 2405 Caton Farm Road in Crest Hill that recently opened. Montez said that restaurant also employs the "pizza theater" concept and includes eat-in dining.
The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals on March 16 approved parking and setback variations for the Collins Street project. There will be 10 parking spaces, which city staff described as adequate in a report on the plan.
The brick building to be demolished was most recently used for an insurance business.
Montez will construct a brick building with a main entrance on Collins Street and a service driveway off Benton Street, according to the city report.