Cheeseburger in Paradise Closes Abruptly
Landlord said rent was raised more than $20,000 in two years.
Cheeseburger in Paradise, which employed almost 100 staff members, has closed its doors after five years, The Daily Herald reported.
Owner Tom Fremarek blames the closure on a spike in rent that he said was more than $20,000 since 2009 and an increase in property taxes.
He said the most difficult part of the closing was telling the franchise's many employees. They have been given the option of relocating to two other Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants in Downers Grove and Algonquin.
Nine businesses have closed in Metropolitan Square in the past four years, according to Fremarek.
Read the full story from The Daily Herald here.
What do you think about the increase in Cook County taxes? Will you miss Cheeseburger in Paradise?
Tell us in the comments.
MA
6:18 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Des Plaines needs to get their act together before Metropolitan Squarte becomes a ghost town. Why not focus on inhabitting the empty storefronts with service businesses that aid the elderly. Seniors, such as myself, would greatly appreciate these types of companies within walking distance of out residences. Also, what about businesses associated with the casino locating in the square? Marketting is the key as well as deals that attract companies to us instead of neighboring suburbs. We need to GROW not rot!
Phil Heller
7:36 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The landlords should not be having rental hikes during a recession, if they want to promote growth in downtown Des Plaines. If possible, landlords should find ways to restructure the debt or mortgage!
Carol Ann
8:21 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Nothing good has come to Downtown DesPlaines in many years. There is nothing there to attract families or anyone to hang-out in the Downtown area. DesPlaines Bowling Lanes brought a flow of families and such to the Downtown area and they were forced to leave. Big Mistake! Downtown DesPlaines needs something trendy to bring people there. They need a Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, Fruitful Yield or something that says - It's Happening Here! Shop & Save has done nothing but bring the Downtown area down and it should be replaced. And - The DesPlaines Theatre scene is a joke with all that has been done and/or not done with that place. They should be doing movies there that would appeal to all people at a resonable price. - - Somebody has really dropped the ball in regards to the Downtown area. Big Time!
Patricia
11:38 am on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Regarding your comment - " Shop & Save has done nothing but bring the Downtown area down and it should be replaced----I totally agree with you. They are not a friendly store on top of that. It's nice they try to keep some prices low, but they seem to cater to non-English speaking people. I have had a couple bad experiences there and the management was not helpful. I'd rather go to Dominicks.
Christy Piszkiewicz
8:27 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I will miss Cheezeburger..They always treated their customers warmly and with great fun!! Tom was always having fundraisers for the community and was a good part of what DesPlaines is, a nice place to live. We will miss them!!!!
Sandy
10:20 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
So sad to see Cheeseburger go, for the families, for the teeneagers, for the employees, and for Des Plaines! Metro Square started out with such promise...
JoAnn
11:20 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It won't be the last business to close. Taxes are killing them and the residents. If I could sell my property for what I owe I'd be out of here too. No job-was laid off. Can't afford to live here. May just have to walk away like others have had to do.
John C
3:33 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Unfortunate,good luck to all the staff.
Lisa Cisneros
3:45 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Ooh you're going to love the blotter today! Almost finished!
Barbara Nicolay
9:26 am on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Now des Plaines won't get any money if they didn't raise the rent at least they would be getting that. Now we all have to suffer. Cheeseburger in paradise was my favorite place in this city. I just hope Tom can reopen somewhere close. Like niles or mount prospect. My family is very sad about this.
w .david envall
10:23 am on Thursday, March 17, 2011
this was one of the best places around. you could go and have a burger & beer and not feel like you were in a bar,opening the big doors was really great.it will be missed!
vicp
7:41 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
I don't understand some business practices sometimes. economy is rough. you have a restaurant that is managing, drumming up business. you have a strip mall that has numerous vacant lots. So with some infinite wisdom they squeeze one of their bigger tenants to the point that they too have to leave? so now as a mall you have one less income. genius. real genius. How long before they too go into bankruptcy?
Kathy Bloom
11:06 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
What is wrong with the managers of Des Plaines? Why do they consistently make it difficult fo business to survive here? Isn't it better to have a business in place that can pay something rather than an empty space collecting nothing? This is the same mentality that is pushing people out of their homes. Wake up!
Ersan
11:45 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I just bought a condo at 647 Metropolitan way. Metropolitan way is a nice place, but it needs more bussiness. If there is more bussiness it will bring the property value up. However, that is not my main concern. I want to be able to step out and walk to a local restaurant or bar. I've been reading alot of artilces, and it seems the rent is too high. The leasing or management company needs to bring the rent down so we can see our beloved Des Plaines boom. I'm even thinking about opening a bar / restaurant there. I'm doing more research and I hope I will have some succsess.