by BRIAN NADIG

The Chicago Plan Commission at its April 18 meeting unanimously approved a proposal to build a 2,400-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through facility in the parking lot of the Seafood City grocery store, 5033 N. Elston Ave.

The name of the restaurant has not been released, but a rendering for the project shows a coffee cup and the words "tapas lounge" on the building, which would be 23 feet tall. Its exterior would include pre-finished composite metal panels and an aluminum curtain wall.

A reconfiguration of the parking lot would increase the number of on-site parking spaces for the shopping center from 301 to 305, said city Department of Planning and Development representative Noah Szafraniec.

Plans also call for extensive landscaping around the restaurant, Szafraniec said. Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th) submitted a letter of support for the drive-through proposal to the commission.

The Seafood City building was previously occupied by Kmart and Venture department stores. The supermarket opened in 2016 and is the only Chicago area store for the California-based chain.







