Dunkin' Donuts Franchise Eyes East Lake Forest Train Station

has received overtures from a Dunkin' Donuts franchise owner interested in moving into the East Lake Forest Train Station.

Alderman Donald Schoenheider said he thought the doughnut franchise would be "a welcomed addition to the train station, particularly for those who commute downtown on a regular basis," at Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting.

"It definitely would be a positive," Schoenheider said. "It would be a great economic development piece for the city."

The train station recently underwent a makeover that began last year and is in its final stage of a three-stage process.

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The city also has embarked on a campaign to market the inside to prospective businesses.

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Pasquesi Home & Gardens plans to open a new “boutique” store May 1 in the space previously occupied by the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

The only tenants in the building are and a shoe repair alcove. vacated its site on the east side of the building when it moved to the 800 block of North Western Avenue.

Schoenheider said the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner is aware of the historic nature of the train station, which was built in 1899, and that any plans would have to be made in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission.

Alderman Kent Elliott Novit said the parking aspect of the train station would need to be examined if Dunkin’ Donuts were to occupy the space, and the kind of signs used also would need to be considered.

Schoenheider said the drive-through would need to be raised from its height of 9 feet, 6 inches, and the bike path would have to be rerouted along the east side of the building.

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