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What Should Go Here? Tom's Family Restaurant

What would you like to see take the place of this soon-to-be-closed beloved Homewood diner?

We know it’s not gone just yet, but as Tom’s Family Diner nears its last days of business, it’s worth thinking about what you’d like to fill the downtown Homewood vacancy.

Owner Tom Kataras said he doesn’t care who occupies the location next, so long as it’s successful.

Of course, Tom’s is irreplaceable, but this presents an opportunity for a fairly dramatic change for Homewood’s central business district.

What should go here?

What do you think? What would you like to see at the crossroads of downtown Homewood?

Please share your ideas in the comments section.

Lynn April 20, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Ahh-- but Art you are VERY wrong. I VERY seldom have gone into a bookstore without purchasing a book or magazine. The reason I go in in the first place is to BUY something. And I agree with some others --- it would be nice to have a little cafe where you could get coffee, tea or juice. Maybe a small snack
BlackHawks Fan April 20, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Homewood has two cafes already. Why do we need another one? We had two movie rental places across the street from each other; we all know what happened with that great idea. A book store is not thinking outside the box. A place like Trader Joe’s doesn’t have enough space for the location. That location is best suited for an in and out business and I still think an upscale meat and fish market in our area would be fabulous. When I lived in Chicago the meat and fish market was hopping with business and I loved going there full well knowing I would spend more money but would get an excellent product.
Lynn April 20, 2012 at 11:14 pm
I think that is a good idea
Lynn April 20, 2012 at 11:17 pm
It would be for the most part a Bookstore , not a cafe that served meals. Since you are into belittling everones ideas I have to say a Fishmarket (&meat) would be the last place I would go or spend my money.
k April 20, 2012 at 11:48 pm
How about Denny's,I HOP,or Steak n Shake. We miss 3 bros. cafe/diner. Keep the revenue here. People go to other towns and spend money after we roll up the streets like Mayberry.
BlackHawks Fan April 20, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Lynn, so I see it’s alright for you to tell Art “Ahh-- but Art you are VERY wrong.” But if someone disagrees with you they are “belittling everyone’s ideas”. My suggestion is based on the location and what may or may not survive as a business. Have a nice night dear!!!! :)
Lynn April 21, 2012 at 12:08 am
No -- I do not expect eveyone and maybe not anyone to agree with me . I would go to Steak & Shake , a book store but not to a Fish & meat Market. Everyone has their own idea of what they would like to see there and that is as it should be
AK April 21, 2012 at 12:11 am
I love love love this idea!!! The idea of somewhere to meet other new parents is also great!
Lynn April 21, 2012 at 12:12 am
Tho I would like to a Book Store in Homewood I find the idea of a Steak and Shake appealing------As long as it does not take away from the Twisted Q (a great addition) and the other new dining places. I also like the others you mention
BlackHawks Fan April 21, 2012 at 12:20 am
Lynn you got me thinking on the future of Homewood. The new hotel on Ridge would probably have a café and it may well be a nice place for a bookstore with the boutiques they plan on putting in there. I understand you are not crazy about my idea but I hope you do understand that is a small spot with limited parking.
Teri K Baldwin April 21, 2012 at 01:39 am
I think Lynn has a great idea!
Steve Burke April 21, 2012 at 02:11 am
Record Store Day is tomorrow. How about a temple of Vinyl?
Susan Dudik April 21, 2012 at 02:32 am
My friends and I used to hang out at Off The Alley and Record Swap. Those establishments are the reason I ever knew about Homewood. We'd hit the Village Discount thrift in the Heights, get coffee at Three Brothers, get cds and t-shirts at Record Swap, and then catch a show at OTA. Those were the best times ever. *sigh*
Steve Burke April 21, 2012 at 03:22 am
I remember biking to Beverly Records on Western in the 80's (I lived there then). The record store owner would stock imports he'd think I'd like for me. I would buy DEVO, etc., with my paper-route earnings. Later I was a wax-trax guy. Now just almost 40 and remembering the fun of looking at the 12" covers. Still have a bunch.
Phillip R Baggs April 21, 2012 at 11:02 am
Combine Steve (strip club) and Lynn's (book store) ideas and you have a winner.
Phillip R Baggs April 21, 2012 at 11:09 am
I agree. Great idea. Giddy up Blackhawk. http://www.elpescadorfishmarket.com/menu.php
Lynn April 21, 2012 at 11:33 am
You may have a thought there. I am not sure just where on Ridge this Hotel is supposed to be & when ground is to be broken tho.. Yeah , I know the place is relatively small and parking is limited(like almost everywhere else in Homewood). I was not thinking of a Bookstore the size of Borders or Barnes & Noble, however. . Wondering how large this Hotel is to be also.
BlackHawks Fan April 21, 2012 at 11:55 am
Lynn here is a link to the article. Have a nice day. http://homewood-flossmoor.patch.com/articles/homewood-announces-boutique-hotel-plans-for-central-business-distrcit
Steve Burke April 21, 2012 at 12:18 pm
perusing plato's works and contemplations on troglodytes while watching a pole dance. genius!
Lynn April 21, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Thanx for the link Blackhawks Fan----somehow I had missed the article. I know there is to be a Hotel & all but did not know the details! Hope you have a good weekend
Innocent Bystander April 21, 2012 at 01:10 pm
Zappos took care of that niche'
Susan Dudik April 21, 2012 at 02:16 pm
Like a place where you can watch scantily clad ladies read books... a thinking man's strip club.
Homewood Jim April 21, 2012 at 03:23 pm
"Browsing" doesn't feed the bulldog. Any business needs revenue and profits to stay in business, and bookstores simply cannot accomplish that in today's digital world. No, you are not a moron. But you sure don't know much about business.
BlackHawks Fan April 21, 2012 at 03:30 pm
Too funny Phil, Steve and Susan, but the idea certainly has merit!!!
Marilyn April 22, 2012 at 04:43 am
I like the idea of a movie theatre. I would like to see it be a fine arts theatre like GlenArts in Glen Elyn...if not then a smaller sized Traders Joe would be nice
Marilyn April 22, 2012 at 04:47 am
I like the idea of a movie theatre. I would like to see it be a fine arts theatre like GlenArts in Glen Elyn...if not then a smaller sized Traders Joe would be nice Why is the word reject in the upper corner of my above note
SHUSSBAR April 22, 2012 at 07:55 pm
Smelling, feeling and browsing books won t be enough for the owner to pay the bills I am afraid. Bookstore is a good idea in theory. Business wise, it s unfortunatelly not a good one.
SHUSSBAR April 22, 2012 at 08:02 pm
i second that . Choice at jewel or Walts is quite limited in terms of meat and fish. They carry staple items but other than that not much especially regarding fresh fish.
SHUSSBAR April 22, 2012 at 08:07 pm
Big chain stores killed pretty much all small businnesses anyway
Jazmine April 23, 2012 at 11:37 pm
I think a chipotle would be nice there;)

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Corey Ray competes in the Under Armour All American game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
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