ILLINOIS SITE FIGHT: BATAVIA EXPANSION TAKES STEP FORWARD

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Dunkin’ Donuts to open store in Batavia [Kane County Chronicle (Ill.)]

BATAVIA – By early next year, residents will be able to drive up to Dunkin’ Donuts and grab something sweet to eat.

Dunkin’ Donuts proposes to open a store in the former Schlotzsky’s sandwich shop at 2002 W. Wilson St. Schlotzsky’s has been closed for more than two years.

It would be the first Dunkin’ Donuts in Batavia.

“It’s definitely a good fit for Randall Road and Batavia,” Batavia planner Drew Rackow said. “I’ve heard from a lot of people who are happy to hear they are coming to town.”

The store will have a drive-through window.

“There are no major changes to the building other than a window bay,” Rackow said.

Batavia’s Community Development Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of the plans, which go to the full City Council on Monday.

The committee also recommended approval of plans to expand the Wal-Mart store at 801 N. Randall Road. The full City Council will also review those plans Monday.

Wal-Mart opened the 153,000-square-foot store as a traditional Wal-Mart outlet in 2005. The building will cover about 210,000 square feet, just like most other Wal-Mart Supercenters, with about half the floor space dedicated to selling groceries.

Community Development Director Jerry Swanson said the city is particularly pleased with Wal-Mart’s plans for the exterior.

He said the company has indicated that it intends to replace the traditional Wal-Mart look with a new prototype design. It would feature a “soft curve” for the front of the store, with greater pedestrian amenities in front, such as benches and translucent canopies to cover each entrance.

Swanson said the city is pleased that it will add another supermarket to its roster of stores.

“We’re not particularly saturated with grocery stores [in Batavia],” he said.

Want to go?

Batavia City Council will review plans for Dunkin’ Donuts and an expanded Wal-Mart at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave.

Posted by Luke West on Thursday, September 11, 2008