Star Cinema Grill Gets Plan Commission’s OK

Star Cinema Grill is one step closer to getting its permits and starting construction on a full service restaurant inside the old Arlington Heights Theater.

This week, the Arlington Heights plan commission approved the company’s plans and sent the proposal to the village board, which will likely make a decision on the project early next month. Star Cinema also is awaiting a liquor license and a liquor commission hearing is set for Feb. 4.

“We are excited,” said Omar Khan, president of Star Cinema Grill. “We are looking forward to being part of the community. We think we will have an extremely successful theater and everyone in the market will enjoy it.”

Khan has been in business for eight years with several restaurants in Texas. The Texas theaters/restaurants have performed very well, Khan said. Two more locations will be opening in Houston. The Arlington Heights theater, 53 S. Evergreen Ave., will be the company’s first in Illinois.

The company announced its plans for the old theater in December and the project has been moving quickly.

“We have a great deal of cooperation from the city, which is excellent,” Khan said, who is hoping for a mid-May opening, in time for the summer blockbuster season.

There’s still much work to do to open by May.

“We are adding a full kitchen and a full bar,” Khan said. “We are converting all the projectors to digital. We are basically gutting the theater and revamping the entire venue. The only thing we will use is an existing wall.”

Khan is working on construction plans. Construction will begin as soon as the village board approves the plan and the village grants permits.

“We think it will move pretty fast,” Khan said of construction.

At a different meeting this week, trustees had lots of questions for Khan about how the restaurant and theater will look and work, but were enthusiastic about welcoming Star Cinema Grill to town.

“Thank you very much for your interest in the village of Arlington Heights,” Trustee Thomas Hayes said. His first question was as a frequent moviegoer. “I want to confirm you serve popcorn.”

Khan assured Hayes that the theater will have popcorn along with a variety of food.