Applications being taken to operate Palms Grill Cafe

The Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Ill., is taking applications from prospective full-time managers for the historic Route 66 business, according to a news release from the Atlanta Library Board, the restaurant’s owner.

The restaurant closed briefly in late October after its manager, Ronda McBride, stepped down because of an ongoing battle with cancer. Peggy Payne of Peggy’s Place in nearby Lincoln, Ill., and her husband Tom of Fat Boys BBQ in Lincoln became the interim managers. The board sought a new manager in January 2013 after it deemed the restaurant’s hours by the previous operator were too limited.

The Palms Grill, built in 1934, was restored and reopened in 2009 and quickly became a must-stop for travelers.

According to the news release:

The Palms Grill Cafe is a turnkey operation. It is fully equipped and will only require a new manager to supply an initial inventory of food and hire his/her staff to operate it. The Grill seats 47 in its main dining area, which includes seven tables, plus a counter with 11 stools. Its backroom seats up to 60. The building is approximately 1,800 square feet.

Leasing/managing the Palms Grill Cafe is an excellent opportunity for the right person.

The following timeline details the steps to take for anyone interested in applying for this opportunity:

  • Jan. 17 – Business plan/proposal due. The form for the business plan can be downloaded here.
  • Feb 5 – Business plan/proposal presentation to Atlanta Library Board of Trustees.
  • March 5 – New leaseholder/manager of the Palms Grill Cafe selected.
  • May 1 – Palms Grill Cafe lease begins and property available to move into/begin operations.

The Atlanta Public Library owns the Downey Building in which the Palms Grill Café is located, and acts as the landlord of the property. The lease for the Palms Grill Café runs from May 1 through April 30, with an annual option to renew. In order to keep The Grill open to the public, an interim manager is currently operating the cafe during the period in which the Atlanta Library seeks a new full time manager.

For more information, contact:

Bill Thomas, Treasurer
Atlanta Public Library
P.O. Box 166, Atlanta, IL 61723
wthomas(at)teleologic(dot)net
217-648-5077

(Image of the Palms Grill Cafe by gobucks2 via Flickr)

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