Two New Businesses Proposed for Shuttered Western Avenue Car Wash

The new owners of a vacant lot near Western and Waveland avenues want to build a drive-thru Starbucks and Potbelly Sandwich Company where a car wash previously stood. 

Situated at 3636 N. Western Ave., the former unsightly car wash was demolished in June after getting the green light by Chicago officials in late May. The project has been on the fast track since the developer by the name of Bobb, LLC., purchased the lot for more than $1 million early in May, records show.

Earlier that month, Ald. Ameya Pawar’s (47th) Director of Constituent Services Ernie Constantino said the owner wanted to breath new life into the almost 24,000-square-foot property.

The lot will consist of two separate buildings, one for the drive-thru coffee shop and the other for the sandwich joint. A total of 24 parking spaces are in the plans with a new left-turn lane on Western Avenue.

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Owner Mark O'Toole is seeking a special use permit for the drive-thru building, which must pass through the alderman's zoning approval process and city council. 

Pawar said he supported the proposal for the vacant lot. 

"We're happy, because people look at Western Avenue and say it's not so great," he said. "The fact that we can get a drive-thru Starbucks and a Potbelly with outdoor seating, it has a great potential for more retail."

Construction will start as soon as the project is approved, zoning documents show. 

An estimated 25 jobs will be created through the $2.5 million project. 

O'Toole was not immediately available for comment.