The historic Palms Grill Cafe along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, is available to lease for prospective restaurateurs.
According to a news release Wednesday from the Atlanta Public Library, which owns the property:
The Palms Grill Café 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 a counter with 11 stools. Its backroom seats 60. The building is approximately 1800 sq ft.
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 1st through April 30th, with an annual option to renew.
Leasing/managing the Palms Grill Café is an excellent opportunity for the right person.
Interested individuals are required to submit a Business Plan/Proposal using a template available on the Atlanta Public Library’s website or by request via email at apldinformation@gmail.com or via phone at 217-648-2112.
For more information, contact:
James Welchel, President
Atlanta Public Library
Post Office Box 568
Atlanta, IL 61723
reacherman333@gmail.com
501-207-1284
More about the restaurant’s history:
Opened in 1934, “the Grill” served up home-cooked meals, along with BINGO games and weekly dances in its backroom. The Grill closed in the late 1960s.
Now restored to its circa 1930s look, the Palms Grill Café reopened in April of 2009 and once again began serving its blue-plate specials to Rt. 66 travelers and visitors. Bus tours, senior groups,
Red Hat Societies, and individuals young and old from across the country and globe, have all been welcomed to the Palms Grill Café over the past several years. The Grill has a loyal and enthusiastic following on such travel/tourism review sites as Tripadvisor, Yelp, Yahoo! Travel, RoadsideAmerica.com, and Mamabzz. The Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide describes the Palms Grill Café as “a very special must stop” place on the Mother Road.
The Palms Grill Cafe shut down in August due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Image of the interior of the Palms Grill Cafe courtesy of Atlanta Public Library)