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Farmers Best Market wins PUD changes and outdoor dining permit in Vernon Hills
Summary
The Village of Vernon Hills approved a PUD modification and outdoor dining permit for Farmers Best Market at 413 N. Milwaukee Ave, allowing exterior façade changes and seasonal outdoor seating if staff confirms adequate sidewalk clearance.
The village board approved Ordinance 2025-101, a Planned Unit Development amendment that replaces the elevation drawings for the former Bed Bath & Beyond/DSW unit at 413 North Milwaukee Avenue to reflect Farmers Best Market’s proposed exterior appearance. The motion passed on roll call with unanimous support.
Representatives for Farmers Best described a nearly ready interior build-out, incoming equipment and plans for indoor dining plus seasonal outdoor seating. Nick Maricas, speaking for the project team, said the outdoor seating would be used for prepared foods and that indoor seating would be available year-round. The board added a condition for the related outdoor dining permit (Resolution 2025-049) that staff confirm adequate sidewalk clearance before final signature; Director Jennings said signage would return for separate review.
Project details and conditions - Location: 413 N. Milwaukee Ave (Marketplace PUD). - Scope: Exterior façade updates, deletion/replacement of referenced elevations in the PUD ordinance, interior build-out is already underway. - Outdoor dining: Seasonal patio to be carved from interior space and overhang area; staff will confirm pedestrian clearances on the sidewalk as a condition of the permit. - Public comment and review: Board members queried façade depth, the remaining sidewalk width for pedestrians, and how rooftop equipment might be screened; staff committed to confirming clear pedestrian paths and to require signage variances to return separately if needed.
Why it matters: The decision clears a path for a new grocery/market concept tailored to a wide demographic area with prepared foods and an international product mix. The conditional outdoor-dining approval reflects board concern for pedestrian access and coordination between landlord and tenant.
What’s next: Farmers Best will finalize facade and signage plans, coordinate with staff to confirm sidewalk clearance, and then proceed with construction. The outdoor dining permit is contingent on staff verification of the final plan.
