Village board agrees to sell 8149 Lincoln to Skokie Provisions; $110,000 downtown TIF grant approved

The Village of Skokie board voted on Aug. 18 to approve the negotiated sale of the village‑owned building at 8149 Lincoln Avenue to Skokie Provisions, a chef‑owned artisan food business, and to award a downtown tax‑increment financing (TIF) rehabilitation grant of up to $110,000 toward the project.

Village staff described the Reids’ plan to invest more than $1.5 million in building restoration, an interior build‑out with a commercial kitchen, a new roof, exterior improvements and a rear outdoor culinary space. The negotiated sale price reported in the meeting was $160,000; grant funds will be paid on a reimbursement basis after work is completed and contractors have been paid.

Village Manager John Lockerbie said Skokie Provisions, founded in September 2020 by Rosemary and John Reid, would occupy the building and operate a market, small plates and classes. Trustees praised the proposed use as consistent with downtown revitalization goals. “I can’t think of a better use,” Trustee Lisa Levy said during the discussion. Trustee Schechter called the award “a perfect use of TIF funds,” saying the grant meets the “but‑for” test for incentivizing projects that otherwise would not happen.

The board approved the sale motion on first reading by roll call after a motion to concur from Trustee Robinson and a second by Trustee Lisa Levy. The mayor said the ordinance will appear for second reading at the Sept. 2 village board meeting. The TIF rehabilitation grant was approved by separate roll‑call vote; staff said the grant will be rebated upon proof of completion and payment to contractors.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the board discussion, and staff indicated village economic‑vitality personnel had worked closely with the applicants on the proposal. Trustees noted that the sale preserves an architecturally unique building and will place an independent, locally owned business in downtown Skokie.