Glenview trustees have awarded the owner of a popular Chicago barbecue restaurant $750,000 in sales tax breaks to open a new eatery at a busy intersection in the village’s downtown.
The Village Board voted unanimously Dec. 5 to loan Smoque BBQ $750,000 to convert an auto repair shop into a 3,500-square-foot restaurant at Waukegan Road and Grove Street, though some residents asked questions about whether that was a sound and wise use of the money.
The redevelopment package calls for Smoque to repay the loan with sales tax revenues spread over 10 years. Glenview officials have projected that Smoque will generate $831,250 in sales tax revenues during its first 10 years, and a village document says the village will net $81,250 once Smoque repays the funds.
“Of all the restaurants we’ve talked about, this might be the one I’m personally most excited about,” Trustee Adam Sidoti said. “I kind of wish there had been a sample here tonight.”
Smoque plans to spend $3.6 million, including buying property at 1131 Waukegan, to build a restaurant with 45-60 seats, a small bar, a takeout counter and outdoor seating, said Jeff Brady, director of community development for Glenview.
Brady said that Glenview has chosen to provide financial assistance to Smoque and six other restaurants during 2024 in response to “overwhelming feedback” from residents as part of the Glenview Connect process.
“The community said there are not enough reasons to go downtown, and they have a desire to have a greater variety of shops, local and high-end restaurants, and special events in the downtown area,” he said.
TimeOut ranks Smoque as one of the top barbecue restaurants and Yelp ranks it 40th in the nation, Brady said.
“Smoque BBQ is a neighborhood kind of place that cooks up BBQ good enough to make it a true destination,” he said. “Since opening in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood in late 2006, Smoque has garnered a large and loyal following of BBQ devotees from all over Chicagoland and around the country.”
Auto Repair with Steve, which currently occupies the proposed site under a lease that expires in November 2025, will continue to operate while Smoque obtains any necessary approvals or permits, Brady said.
“Following the retirement of the Auto Repair with Steve business operator, the developer would begin construction with an anticipated opening of the Smoque BBQ restaurant concept in late 2025/early 2026 timeframe,” he said.
Trustees praised Brady and village staff for bringing the popular restaurant to Glenview.
“Glenview was in need of various restaurants to bring people to Glenview,” Trustee Katie Jones said. “All the restaurants you chose and brought forth are unique in Glenview. They will be magnets for people from other communities to come here. This is something we need and want. Especially this one will be a fan favorite.”
Before the board’s vote, three residents raised questions about the proposal, including one who said he was “appalled” by the board’s lack of fiscal conservatism and another who said the board needs to consider whether a new restaurant actually increases sales tax revenues (to the village), rather than diverting them from other restaurants.
Commenter William Seitz questioned the revenue projections of village staff and their qualifications to package such financial deals.
“I do a lot of development projects. I don’t know how anyone could have approved this deal with the amount of documentation you guys received here,” said Seitz. “If you need to do these projects, for future loans and grants you need to have standards.”
The returns Brady has projected on the project are “ridiculous high,” Seitz said. Meanwhile, the village is giving financial aid to wealthy property owners, he said.
“Who’s choosing these projects?” Seitz said. “Director Brady? Who’s choosing the terms? Each of these projects has different terms. Who’s monitoring? Is (Village) Manager (Matthew) Formica qualified? Director Brady? Outside person? Who’s doing this?”
Another commenter, Gerald Barry, said,”We like to play Monopoly during the holiday season. I hope you all like playing Monopoly with other people’s property and with public funds.”
Village President Michael Jenny said residents are right that Glenview needs to be careful about using public money to promote development, but said the village is following policy and feedback the public provided to activate business downtown.
“I respect anybody’s right to come forward and state opinions, philosophies, disagreements,” Jenny said. “But to suggest this board or staff has done anything wrong in the execution of its duties is inappropriate….
“Any implication that staff has done anything wrong in any of this is offensive and laughable. And it’s an inappropriate use of this public forum, which is supposed to be used for people to come forward in good faith and offer respectful disagreement.”
