admin @ Wed, 2006-09-13 00:15
Without much fanfare and little notice, Higgley's Restaurant in Arlington Heights closed up shop.
The parking lot at 2240 S. Arlington Heights Road is empty this week and a sign on the door simply reads, "Closed due to non-renewal of lease. CVS coming. Thank you for your patronage - Higgley's Restaurant."
No one was more disappointed than Elk Grove Village resident Chuck Shriver, who frequented the restaurant for about 10 years between 1994 and 2004.
Higgley's was a neighborhood joint where residents could catch a quick, reasonably priced meal and catch up with neighbors, Shriver said.
"There were a lot of regulars and everyone seemed to know each other," he said.Dinners at Higgley's were cheap - often less than $8 - and came with soup or salad, wine or dessert and coffee. The menu consisted mainly of American and Greek fare.
CVS representatives declined to comment on the Higgley's sign. A company spokesman, Mike DeAngelis, said he would only confirm an incoming Arlington Heights store once he had a signed agreement.
A CVS pharmacy is a permitted use for the Higgley's site at the northwest corner of Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads, but the company would need village board approval for a drive-through window, said Matt Dabrowski, a village planner.
It would be the first CVS in Arlington Heights, said Village President Arlene Mulder.
The closing of Higgley's is the latest in a rash of Arlington Heights independent restaurant owners who have decided to call it quits. The list includes Eddie's Restaurant and Lounge and the Bovis House.
McGann's Gathering Place and Eatery will open in early 2007 in the spot Eddie's Restaurant and Lounge has occupied for more than 50 years. McGann's will be open until 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
In May, the Bovis House at 900 W. Northwest Hwy. also closed. The Bovis House served American, Italian and Greek dishes and featured salads, pastas, sandwiches and fish specials. The site is still vacant.
Mulder said it's always hard to see a local restaurant close, but pointed out several other Arlington Heights restaurant owners who have been successful for years - including Eros Restaurant and Ice Cream and the Dunton House Restaurant.
"A lot of times, local owners stay in business longer," Mulder said. "Look at the Gap that was downtown. Business was great there, but corporate decided to close it because they thought another Gap was too close."
At least one person agreed with Mulder and said Arlington Heights is still great place to open a restaurant.
This summer, Mike Clements opened Paprikash Hungarian Restaurant at the old Rapp's site, 602 W. Northwest Hwy.
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