More Delays For Darien Dunkin' Donuts And Padrino's

DARIEN, IL — In January, the Darien City Council got a report that the new Dunkin' Donuts and Padrino's Pizza would open in a few weeks. It didn't happen.

In March, the council got a similar prediction. It didn't happen.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese said he has been getting complaints about why it's taking so long to complete the building for the two restaurants.

Dan Gombac, Darien's municipal services director, said part of the reason is that the project's superintendent is "a little bit of a novice." For certain construction, he said, things need to be kicked into gear.

"Is there a lack of some of that? Potentially, yes," Gombac said.

He said he is now told that the restaurants would open in the next two or three weeks.

"I do know that between Padriono's and Dunkin' Donuts, it's a race for who is going to open up first," Gombac said.

He estimated the project is 2½ to three months behind.

The building is at the northwest corner of Cass Avenue and Plainfield Road, which is seen as Darien's main intersection. It is next to Brookhaven Plaza, where a current Dunkin' Donuts franchise is set to move into the new building.

The project has encountered other issues in recent months, among them a vendor dispute, according to the city.

Last year, the city approved a $150,000 incentive for the developer, John Manos, to upgrade the architecture because of the building's high-profile location. He also owns Brookhaven Plaza.

Manos couldn't be reached for comment.