JOLIET, IL — For a few years, folks within the space poked enjoyable on the notion that Joliet, the third-largest metropolis in Illinois and the self-proclaimed Metropolis of Champions, would ever entice an Olive Backyard Italian restaurant to open. Then, all the pieces modified on Nov. 8, 2021.
Nov. 8, 2021, which was a Monday, grew to become the day that Joliet officers revealed an Olive Backyard can be constructed alongside Route 30 close to the Interstate 55 exit. The Olive Backyard would mark the second main growth at The Boulevard. Costco opened in November 2021.
“I am comfortable to listen to this announcement as we speak,” Joliet’s two-term Mayor Bob O’Dekirk remarked final November. “This venture has been pursued by town and previous mayors, and I’m glad to have performed a job in bringing Olive Backyard to Joliet.”
🤳: Hey Siri, how do you say “I like you” in Italian? 📱: By no means-Ending Breadsticks from Olive Backyard. pic.twitter.com/03kuvgFxm3
— Olive Backyard (@olivegarden) September 1, 2022
Other than the beginning of excavation work in April, this week marks the most important development push for the brand new Olive Backyard. Building officers informed Joliet Patch the brand new Olive Backyard close to the Interstate 55 exit might open for enterprise in early February.
Belisle Construction Inc. in Crest Hill is overseeing the venture.
Belisle has constructed a number of Olive Gardens throughout the nation lately. Concurrently to Joliet, Belisle is constructing a brand new Olive Backyard in suburban Lombard, in accordance with Belisle Building Superintendent Joe Platt, who grew up in Plainfield.
Platt informed Joliet Patch he’s comfortable to be constructing the brand new Olive Backyard for the Joliet and Plainfield space, understanding how a lot buzz there’s been over time about getting an Olive Backyard to open right here.
“That is our hometown, we have to make it excellent,” Platt informed Joliet Patch.
Platt mentioned crews started the concrete work final Friday.
“It will likely be poured this week, hopefully by Thursday,” he remarked.
Joliet’s new Olive Backyard restaurant shall be almost 8,000 sq. ft, in accordance with Belisle Building’s Jason Hage.
“That is the newer mannequin, too, and it may be good inside,” Platt added. “It can look completely different than Naperville and Bolingbrook.”
Any more, motorists driving alongside Route 30 or heading to the Costco retailer at The Boulevard will discover appreciable development over the following a number of months, Platt mentioned.
Let’s 👏 get 👏 this 👏 bread 👏 (and unending soup or salad). pic.twitter.com/wrRN7AGmf0
— Olive Backyard (@olivegarden) September 16, 2022
Tentative plans name for the restaurant’s wall set up subsequent week. That shall be adopted by roofing and mechanical. There shall be stone exterior for the sit-down Italian restaurant.
“This ought to be one of many greatest bulletins ever. It ought to fulfill the 1000’s which have been hungry for the presence of Olive Backyard for the previous dozen plus years,” remarked Mike Paone, Joliet Chamber of Commerce vice chairman, final November.
Paone went on to say, “it goes to indicate {that a} nationwide chain that has lengthy been sought is taking discover of all of the optimistic developments and revitalization of the restaurant business.”
Associated Joliet Patch protection:
