A new restaurant will soon be opening in West Kankakee as a longtime cook at a popular city diner will be going out on his own.
<strong>Julio Remitez</strong>, 53, of Kankakee, expects to be opening <strong>Julio’s Family Restaurant</strong>, 2005 W. Court St., before the end of May.
The 40-seat restaurant will specialize in American cuisine and breakfast will be available all day, Remitez said.
The business will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The location will be closed Sundays and holidays.
Remitez has signed a one-year lease with property owner <strong>Nancy Tholen</strong>. The local site has been vacant since <strong>Que It Up Cafe</strong>, operated by <strong>Ken Crite,</strong> closed in February.
The site was also the previous home for <strong>Rigo’s Cafe</strong>, which moved out of the location when a larger restaurant became available in the 100 block of North Schuyler Avenue in downtown Kankakee.
Remitez, a 15-year Kankakee resident, said he has been making plans for his own restaurant for many years. He said those plans became serious one year ago. and when this West Court location became available, he decided to make the move.
“I love this location. It’s a corner lot. There’s plenty of parking. I believe I’m going to get a lot of customers from <strong>Herscher</strong> and <strong>Limestone</strong> as well.”
Remitez said in addition to himself, his wife, <strong>Isabel</strong>, and two children will be working with him. He anticipates hiring another four or five workers.
“This is going to be a family business. I’m looking to build this into a place that my children will be able to take over some day,” he said. “I really love Kankakee. There are a lot of great people here. We’re going to give people good service, good food and at a good price.”
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Kankakee’s eastern entrance is quickly becoming a hot spot for development.
In addition to the proposed <strong>Ricky Rocket’s Fuel Center</strong>, the <strong>BP expansion</strong> and the recent purchase of the auto dealership property by <strong>LaBeau Bros. Inc.</strong>, economic opportunity is being sought by another property owner.
The 5-acre lot immediately west of 4-acre LaBeau Bros. truck dealership was purchased by a trust. Demolition of a dilapidated property already has taken place, and the site is being cleared.
The ownership is seeking to clean up the site and then market the commercially-zoned lot.
It’s great to see business people taking notice of the area that long had been ignored. Hopefully, Kankakee’s east entrance once again can become a sought-after business destination.
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Although I am not one of these terrible people, apparently it is somewhat easy to forget mom on <strong>Mother’s Day</strong>.
According to an Offers.com survey, men spend more on their wives and mother-in-law than they do on their very own mother. Shameful!
Men spend on average $77 on their wife and another $77 on their mother-in-law versus $42 on their mother.
According to survey responses, 60 percent of men said their mom was the top priority when shopping for Mother’s Day this year. Mom, however, must be receiving something off of a discount rack.
But never forget: It’s the thought that counts.
The survey also learned what mothers really want. A day off was the top response, gaining 24 percent from mothers. Others: A trip to the spa, 23 percent; flowers, 18 percent; a meal, 14 percent; DIY craft, 11 percent; and jewelry, 10 percent.
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The first <strong>Will County Swap-O-Rama</strong>, to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on six Sundays, will begin this Sunday at the <strong>Will County Fairgrounds</strong> in <strong>Peotone</strong>.
The flea market and farmer’s market also will be held on June 24, July 22, Aug. 12, Sept. 15 and Oct. 28. The flea market will feature tools, jewelry, antiques, clothing and food.
Started in California, the market came to the Chicago area in 1969. One of the markets is held in Alsip.