So a few years ago we purchased some land and our plan was to build our future home. Our lease is up in August of this year so when we submitted our paperwork for permits to IDOT in 2022 I thought we had more than enough time build this 13,000 square foot restaurant before our lease ends. Boy was I wrong! When it became clear that we were not going to receive our permits we started looking for an alternative location.
I am happy to inform Big Ed Nation that today we closed on the future home of Big Ed’s BBQ. Today we purchased The Milan Banquet Facility located at 651 Lakehurst Blvd. For those who are not familiar with the area where it is, it’s still here in Fountain Square and in walking distance from where we are now. This location is more than 17,000 square feet and it gives up the space we need now and for the future.
I want to thank my lawyer Robert from Johnston Tomei Lenczycki & Goldberg LLC for all of the hard work and negotiating to get this done because this was a challenge. My accountant Pete Kakenmaster from Kakenmaster & Associates for always taking such exceptional care of all of us here at Big Ed’s BBQ. I also want to thank my team (Kim, Katie, Rhonda, Isiah and Paco) for all of your hard work and dedication. There is absolutely no way this can happen without all of you and I want to thank you for believing and trusting me.
Finally, I want to thank Big Ed Nation!!!!!! At one point I was ready to walk away from all of this because the lack of staffing and the constant rising food costs but you made your voices loud and clear and informed me that under no circumstances did you want us close. So believe me when I tell that I am doing this for you and the community that we love so much.
Demo is scheduled to begin in July and you know I’ll keep you all posted and take you on this journey with us. We’ve got a lot of new things planned in our current location and definitely scheduled for the new one that we’ll be announcing soon. Some by way of some new videos. Please share this video with everyone raise a glass tonight because this is a reason to celebrate. Cheers everyone!!!!
tjr wrote:Gurnee's loss, even though the Green Bay Rd location was technically in Waukegan (1455 N Green Bay Rd, a block or so north of the Papa Johns, a few north of da Jewels and on the other side.)
If you want to see the videos, they are on Big Ed's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/bigedsllc/
True, the east side of GBR is in Waukegan (even the few hundred feet of the west side of GBR, I found out today), but most locals consider that sort of part of the east-of-94 section of Gurnee. It's different and more accessible than other parts of Waukegan in nearly the same way that everyone thinks of the section of Waukegan along River Rd as part of Libertyville.cito wrote:He was never moving to Gurnee... He was moving from Waukegan to Waukegan - He still is, the new new location is steps away from his current building.
Our time at this location is quickly coming to an end and we wanted everyone to know about some key upcoming dates to mark on your calendars. When we close here permanently on Sunday December 29th and the restaurant will also be closed the entire month of January until we reopen in February 2025. During that time off, employees will be paid their full salary while they relax and spend time with their families.
So come in and take pictures, purchase some gift cards, growlers, merch and give the gift of Big Ed's BBQ this holiday season as we say goodbye to home for the past ten years! Bigger and better is coming so please stay turned!