Publications & Sites 
Tilted Kilt proposal on hold for now in Morton Grove
Updated: August 20, 2012 6:38AM
MORTON GROVE — A plan to open a Tilted Kilt restaurant that had some neighbors concerned has been put on hold, at least for now, according to Morton Grove officials.
Mayor Dan Staackmann said he met with property owner Ted Mavrakis last week to discuss redevelopment of the property at the corner of Dempster Street and Narragansett Avenue. Mavrakis purchased the property last spring and had approached the village about the possibility of opening a restaurant on the site.
Staackmann said Mavrakis has “temporarily” placed his redevelopment plans at the site on hold while he works on a project in another community.
A press release from the village, though, stated that he and the village “plan to continue to work together so that once his prior obligations are completed the development process can begin quickly.”
A resident of the area asked the village board about the possibility of a Tilted Kilt moving into the location at a meeting in March.
Resident Sarah Bright said at that time that she was concerned about the type of restaurant that would move into a location near her condominium development.
In May, Evanston denied a liquor license to Tilted Kilt, popularly known for its female servers in provocative outfits. At that time rumors emerged that the franchise was looking to move into Morton Grove.
“We want Mr. Mavrakis to be successful, with a development that meets the needs of the market and the community,” Staackmann said July 13. “The village will work with Mr. Mavrakis to develop something that we all can be proud of.”
The Lehigh/Ferris TIF district was created in 2000 to spur economic redevelopment in the area roughly bounded by Dempster on the north and Lehigh Avenue on the west, and stretching to Washington Court on the south before winding back to Dempster along Lincoln Avenue.
The village has been successful in attracting development to the area, though most of it has been residential rather than sales-tax-generating retail. Among the businesses in the district that were demolished to make way for new development were a supper club and a restaurant.
