Joliet's IHOP On Larkin Avenue: Now Closed Forever?

JOLIET, IL — It's been more than a month since Joliet Patch visited the IHOP at 1444 North Larkin Avenue inquiring whether the restaurant would soon close and the property would be redeveloped. At the time, Patch's editor left his business card with restaurant staff, but nobody called back.

Then on Monday, a sign was posted on the glass door of the main entrance, reading, "Sorry We Are Close."

The Facebook page for IHOP states: "For 60 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served our world famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages — offering an affordable, every day dining experience with warm and friendly service."

Crest Hill resident Rob Zinser announced the news of IHOP's permanent closure Monday on his Facebook page.

Zinser told Joliet Patch he ate at the IHOP regularly and loved their pancakes.

On Monday while at work, Zinser said he learned from one of the Joliet IHOP employees that the IHOP had closed permanently.

"I ate there for years because their service was always good," Zinser told Patch.

Zinser said that about a month ago, he noticed that the IHOP was not trying to fill several of its vacancies at the Larkin Avenue restaurant, and one of the managers was waiting on tables.

Zinser said that business at the IHOP had been on the decline over the past several weeks, so he was not completely shocked at the news of the closing, adding, "I just didn't know when."

Now it remains to be seen what will happen with the IHOP property.

There have been a number of redevelopments and considerable turnover over the last couple of years at Joliet's North Ridge Plaza along Larkin Avenue near Theodore Street.

Last October, Joliet approved plans to build a Starbucks coffee shop on one of the outlets; construction for the Starbucks has not started, yet.

There is a new BioLife Plasma Services in part of the former Ultra Foods property, while the rest of the former grocery store is planned for a Vasa Fitness health club.

Also, the Marshall's clothing store left the plaza last summer and opened its new store on Route 59 in Shorewood.