Empty Bob & Sis' Catering Gets Facelift, Won't Be Restaurant

JOLIET, IL — The old Bob and Sis' Catering building that has remained empty the past several years at 1358 West Jefferson St. is about to come back to life as a tobacco store, Joliet Patch has learned.

Over the past several weeks, contractors have been busy remodeling the inside of the building. In recent days, the exterior of the building was painted black, just like the City Tavern Sports Bar directly across the street.

On Thursday afternoon, Joliet Patch visited the property and spoke with a representative of G & B Digital & Security Services, who was doing work at the site. The security firm told Patch that it will be a tobacco store, and the tobacco store wants to be open in about two weeks.

In January 2018, the Joliet City Council approved plans for a drive-thru window at 1358 W. Jefferson St. to open a proposed fast-food restaurant called Nick's Gyros. However, several people who live in the area, near Midland Avenue, voiced disapproval and were strongly opposed to the prospect of having a fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru window at the busy corner.

They argued Nick's Gyros would create significant safety and traffic hazards near their neighborhood.

Joliet Patch reported in January 2018 that Nick Spinos, owner of Nick's Gyros, intended to demolish the existing Bob and Sis' Catering building and construct a new building.

In the end, the Nick's Gyros redevelopment never materialized. Now, it appears that residents in the Reedwood Neighborhood Area may soon have a new tobacco center occupying the long-time empty building, perhaps before the end of April.

This would mark the second tobacco business to open on West Jefferson Street in recent months.

The World Vape & Tobacco Wholesale store opened in September on the west wing of the commercial building at 2157 West Jefferson St. Window displays advertise cigar accessories, CBD White Owl, glass pipe hookahs and Swisher Sweets cigars black and mild.

Prior to the addition of the World Vape & Tobacco Wholesale store, Check Into Cash, a one-stop money shop for cash advances, was the only business operating. Check Into Cash was flanked by two large empty storefronts, but now one of them has been filled.