Long John Silver Property Finds New Tenant In Joliet

JOLIET, IL ? For people who like to complain that there are too many Starbucks and Dunkin' coffee shops throughout Joliet, a coffee alternative is coming to West Jefferson Street.

On Wednesday evening, members of the Joliet City Council will review a proposal to construct a 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee shop at 2421 West Jefferson St. For the project to happen, the falling apart Long John Silver building would be demolished.

Joliet's Council is being asked to approve a special use permit to allow for the drive-thru.

According to its website: "7 Brew is so much more than just a coffee stand. It?s the concept of cultivating kindness and joy with every drink ? through our service, speed, quality, energy and atmosphere. It?s contagious, and it?s changing the drive-thru coffee industry."

City of Joliet documents show that 7 Brew would also put in a new parking lot and drive aisles at the Long John Silver property.

The 7 Brew coffee shop would be tiny: only 510 square feet.

7 Brew Coffee indicates there are several locations in Indiana, but only one in Illinois: in Jacksonville. There's also one in Wisconsin in Brookfield and one in Michigan in Traverse City.

"Employees serve customers in the 7 Brew drive-through directly at their vehicle windows. This allows two drive-through lanes to operate at all times, as customers are not required to pull up directly in front of a service window," city of Joliet documents show.

No ordering stations with speakers are proposed, as employees take orders directly in the queuing line with handheld devices, the developers noted.

John Schebaum of Washington, Missouri, is the applicant for the 7 Brew Coffee Shop.

"It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the Drive Thru Permit for a 7 Brew Restaurant at 2421 Jefferson Street subject to the approval of the final engineering plans," interim city manager Rod Tonelli wrote the City Council.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Long John Silver's Shuts Down Joliet Restaurant Forever

Empty Long John Silver's: Joliet's Next Redevelopment?