Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Joliet city staff spent the past several months reviewing proposals from a number of restaurants interested in moving into MyGrain Brewing. JOLIET, IL —It's now been more than two years since Joliet lost MyGrain Brewing Company as the downtown Joliet craft brewing company closed after operating for six years inside historic Union Station. After several months of seeking and reviewing proposals from prospective bars and restaurants, Emily McGuire and Paulina Martinez of the city's economic development department have announced that Casa Catrina Mexican Heritage Cuisine will be occupying the city-owned space inside the historic train station building. They described Casa Catrina as "more elevated Mexican cuisine." "They really concentrate on the experience of the guest," Martinez explained. "It's a full bar and restaurant." "You're coming out for a birthday, date night, let's celebrate," McGuire remarked. Joliet's Casa Catrina is the work of three business partners, Jose Vazquez, chef Joaquin Anguiano and local business owner Angel Zamudio. The partners already have an existing restaurant along Chicago's Archer Avenue near Midway Airport called Tequila CJ Cantina Grill. The Tequila CJ restaurant proclaims, "Here, you don’t just dine, you celebrate. We host events that pay homage to Mexico’s rich culinary culture: themed tastings, mezcal nights, regional food pairings, cooking workshops, and festive cultural events like Día de Muertos and La Guelaguetza." Tequila CJ shows 2,663 Google Reviews, averaging 4.2 stars. On Wednesday afternoon, the city of Joliet's economic development and land use committee reviewed the project. Casa Catrina also plans to be open for breakfast. Its hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the food will include 120 authentic traditional plates. "At Tequila CJ, our kitchen is filled with passion, tradition, and the soulful flavors of Mexico. Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s Archer Avenue, our cantina is where stories are shared, laughter echoes, and memories are made all around handmade tortillas, rich moles, and slow-cooked family recipes passed down through generations," the website proclaims. The menu at Tequila CJ includes several sections: Select Cuts, Molcajete, Fajitas and Seafood. Martinez Reveals Timeline For Opening Casa Catrina Martinez said the Casa Catrina business partners plan to do interior painting. On the positive note, "the space is fully furnished, and it is in good condition," she said. "Within the first five years, Casa Catrina will generate approximately $460,000 in rent, plus all the taxes that they will generate." Martinez said the city has worked out a five-year lease agreement with Casa Catrina, including two more five-year lease options. "Potentially 15 years," she explained. McGuire and Martinez said that Casa Catrina plans to offer drink flights including tequila and offer live music events. During warm weather months, Casa Catrina anticipates opening the outdoor patio, near the corner of Scott and East Jefferson Streets. Although the space vacated by MyGrain Brewing still includes all the craft brewery equipment, the new owners of Casa Catrina don't plan to sell craft beers at first. Martinez said it's possible that craft brewing would begin within a year of opening. As far as the grand opening, "they want to be open by Valentine's Day," Martinez said. "Valentine's Day at the latest." "We Felt They Had The Most Robust Marketing Plan" From Joliet's perspective, selecting Casa Catrina was the logical decision. City staff received five formal proposals for occupying the former MyGrain Brewing property. Of those, the city selected three of the submissions for interviews. "Based on the submittals, it was determined that Casa Catrina was the best fit for this property," McGuire said. "We felt they had the most robust marketing plan, which will be key for this market and this space," Martinez pointed out. "All three partners have experience in the restaurant space." Last week, in downtown Joliet, city staff marked the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bays Tower, the former rundown Joliet Housing Authority 13-story building at 311 N. Ottawa St. that developer John Bays has renovated into 140 apartment units. In addition, the city is now in the home stretch of completing its new city square across from the Rialto Square Theater. As for Casa Catrina, the new Mexican sit-down bar and restaurant is only a block away from the Gateway Transportation Center and the Joliet Slammers baseball stadium. For the past two years, under the new ownership team of Bill Murray, Mike Veeck and Night Train Veeck, the MyGrain Brewing property near the ballpark sat vacant, leaving downtown Joliet baseballs fans without a bar or restaurant within close walking distance of the stadium. But that will change thanks to the upcoming addition of Casa Catrina. "This is a key vacancy that we will be filling," Martinez pointed out. "I think it will be important for the psyche of the community ... I think it will help activate the downtown and inject some energy now with the city square, Bays Tower and the Joliet Slammers."
