Potbelly, Sports Authority Coming to Joliet

Potbelly Sandwich Works will join a Chipotle Mexican Grill in a new strip mall across from Menards on Jefferson Street.

The sub sandwich shop will replace a Panera Bread location that had previously been announced for the strip mall, to be built on a four-acre site at Jefferson Street and Caterpillar Drive.

The Chipotle will be the chain's second location in Joliet, joining a store at 2848 Plainfield Road near the Louis Joliet Mall.

Developer Jerry Cairo plans to build the shopping center at the former location of the Dukes Dodge Dealership at 2617 W. Jefferson St. Cairo also owns the Starbucks strip mall almost directly across the street from the development.

In addition to the Potbelly store and Chipotle, the development includes a free-standing, 16,400-square-foot Aldi store. Once the new Aldi opens, the existing store at 1820 W. Jefferson Street will close.

The site also includes a 4,000-square-foot location that will be home to a Texas-based burger chain Mooyah Burgers, Shakes & Fries, according to Joliet At Large City Councilman Jim McFarland said.

Before the project can move forward, the developer is waiting for IDOT to sign off on its plans for required improvements, including a four-way traffic signal, at Jefferson Street and Caterpillar.

"That's what's holding it up right now," McFarland said, speculating that the delay could be what prompted Panera to pull out of the project. 

McFarland said all building permits for the project have been submitted and approved, and IDOT approval could come any day.

"Construction could start next week," depending on how quickly IDOT signs off, he said.

McFarland praised Cairo when the project was announced last fall.

"I think this is a shot in the arm to a corner that's been blighted for so many years," he said.

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