Atlanta Library seeks RFP for new leasee/manager of Palms Grill

[February 24, 2018]   

ATLANTA

The lease for the Palms Grill Café on Historic Rt. 66 in Atlanta, Illinois is now open to interested parties wishing to submit an application to lease/manage this unique small town café.

Step back in time at The Palms Grill Café—one of the Mother Road’s premier Rt. 66 attractions. Opened in 1934, “the Grill” served up home-cooked meals, BINGO games, and weekly dances in its backroom. The Grill then closed in the late 1960s.

Now restored to its circa 1935 look, the Palms Grill Café reopened in April of 2009 and once again began serving its blue-plate specials to Rt. 66 travelers and visitors. Bus tours, senior groups,
Red Hat Societies, and individuals young & old from across the country and globe, have all been welcomed to the Palms Grill Café over the past several years. The Grill has a loyal and enthusiastic following on such travel/tourism review sites as: TripAdvisor, Yelp, Yahoo! Travel, RoadsideAmerica.com, and Mamabzz. The Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide describes the Palms Grill Café as “a very special must stop” place on the Mother Road.

The Palms Grill Café is a turnkey operation. It is fully equipped and seats 47 in its main dining area, which includes 8 tables, plus a counter with 11 stools. Its backroom seats up to 60. The building is approximately 1800 sq ft.

Leasing/Managing the Palms Grill Café is an excellent opportunity for the right person.

The following timeline details the steps to take for anyone interested in applying for this opportunity:

March 15, 2018 – Business Plan/Proposal due.

March 16-21, 2018 – Interviews with Atlanta Public Library Facilities Working Group

March 22, 2018 – New Leaseholder/ Manager of the Palms Grill Cafe Selected

April 1, 2018 – Palms Grill Café lease begins and property available to move into/begin operations - (start date could be adjusted as needed with the new manager)

The Atlanta Public Library owns the Downey Building in which the Palms Grill Café is located, and acts as the Landlord of the property. The lease for the Palms Grill Café runs from April 1st through March 31th, with an annual option to renew. In order to keep The Grill open to the public, an interim manager is currently operating the cafe during the period in which the Atlanta Library seeks a new full time manager.

For more information and to receive a proposal packet, contact:

Cathy Maciariello
Director
Atlanta Public Library
Post Office Box 568, Atlanta, Illinois 61723
217-648-2112
[e-mail]

[Rachel Neisler
Director
Atlanta Public Library District]