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Macomb Approves Loan to Help Chicago Beef Factory Open

TSPR Emily Boyer
The future home of the Chicago Beef Factory in Macomb

A new restaurant is coming to Macomb just a block northwest of the downtown square.  The city council approved giving the owner, Dan Kokel, $15,000 to help pay for renovations to the building at 202 E. Carroll St.

The building has sat empty for a couple of years and most recently was used as a hair salon. The property itself does not include a parking lot although street parking is available and there's a public parking lot caddy corner from the location.

The restaurant will be called the Chicago Beef Factory. Kokel said it will serve authentic Chicago-style foods such as Italian chicken and beef.

Macomb Community Development Coordinator Ray Heitner said Kokel will have seven years to pay back the loan at 3% interest.

“We view this as encouraging another new business in the city and rehabbing a property that has been vacant for a number of years now,” Heitner said. “So overall we have a pretty positive outlook on this potential loan.”

Heitner said The Chicago Beef Factory plans to offer dine in, takeout, and delivery. It will keep day-time hours and stay open late enough to cater to the college crowd. Heitner said Kokel plans to have the restaurant open within 60 days.  

Kokel is from Oswego. He operates a few other businesses in his hometown and owns a handful of other properties in Macomb.  

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.