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Prospective La Jolie restaurant proposes south‑facing entrance, patio and lease terms for Hinsdale train‑station space
Summary
A restaurateur seeking to take over the train‑station lease outlined plans for an all‑day French‑influenced café and raw bar, a new south‑facing entrance, a relocated dumpster and a 3–4 season patio; village staff and trustees discussed rent abatement and a right of first refusal for adjacent space.
At a discussion item on April 22, the Hinsdale Village Board reviewed a letter of intent from La Jolie to assume the lease for the train‑station restaurant space currently occupied by Casa Margherita and to enter into a longer‑term lease with the village.
Village staff said the train‑station building is village‑owned with oversight from the rail property owner (BNSF), so exterior changes would require coordination. Under terms summarized in the letter of intent, staff said the village would abate rent for the shorter of 18 months or six months after opening to allow for tenant buildout; rent would start at Casa Margherita's current level for the first five years and increase later in multi‑year steps. The LOI includes a right of first refusal for an adjacent ticket office space if it becomes available.
The prospective tenant, who identified himself as Rich and said he previously operated Nixon's Eatery in LaGrange, presented a concept for La Jolie: an "upscale yet approachable" all‑day café with a raw bar and wood‑fire grill, an oyster bar and a robust wine and champagne program. He described a south‑facing pickup/ordering window on Hinsdale Avenue for morning grab‑and‑go service, converting a service entrance to a public door, relocating the dumpster to create space for an expanded 3–4 season patio and reconfiguring the back‑of‑house for improved kitchen flow.
The applicant estimated current seating at about 93 inside and said the patio could add roughly 20 seats. Buildout and approvals could take six months or longer; the applicant estimated a realistic opening "earlier next year." Trustees asked about morning service commitments historically required of the Casa Margherita lease and said they valued a tenant that would provide morning service for commuters. No lease assignment or long‑term authorization was approved on April 22; staff said negotiations and final approvals will continue.
