Shake Shack, Ramen House Shinchan and Panda Express are restaurants hoping to join the Vernon Hills scene, while a fourth, INVICTO, opened in late May.
The first three are still in progress and seeking various permits through the village.
INVICTO is in the Mellody Farm shopping center with a retro market stand look and featuring authentic Mexican street foods, according to its website. Its original store opened in Naperville in October.
A shopping center map shows INVICTO located between City Barbeque and Cafe Zupas off the main Milwaukee Avenue entrance. It shares parking with the recently opened Next Door American Eatery opposite the roadway.
In a release, Franklin Wiener, part of INVICTO’s management group, referenced a similar experience-based theme that Mellody Farm’s management company talked about during the opening last year.
“INVICTO is intended to transport people to another time and place. The concept proves that in our digital-first world people are seeking concepts that provide more than amazing food, but a transportive and interactive experience.”
On the opposite side of Mellody Farm is a new building along Townline Road next to REI where Shake Shack is expected to open soon. With construction well underway, restaurant officials have asked Vernon Hills for a liquor license and outdoor dining permit.
Shake Shack features a modern menu devoted to burgers, chicken, hot dogs, shakes, frozen custard, beer and wine, according to its website. Matthew Meyer from Shake Shack said less than 5% of its business involves beer and wine. He said the restaurant will comply with the village’s prohibition of marketing logos on patio umbrellas and the 25-foot outdoor smoking free zone from anywhere food is served.
Shake Shack is set to open around June 21, Meyer said.
Ramen House Shinchan is just starting a remodel project in a far back part of the Rivertree Court shopping center, according to its permit application.
Andrew Parks said “Shinchan” is a town in Japan where he and the restaurant’s chef grew up. The menu will feature varied types of Japanese noodles with occasional rice bowls on special, he said.
Ramen House Shinchan has one other location, in Palatine. Parks said only about 10% of customers there buy the imported Japanese alcohol.
“It’s because we’re more of a quick-serve restaurant and we have a lot of turnaround when it comes to our guests,” Parks said. “The average dining time could be anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how quick the food comes up.”
A village memo cites a goal of attracting more non-chain businesses and says Ramen House Shinchan is an example.
The proposed Panda Express would be the third in Vernon Hills, but the project involves many complexities. Plans involve constructing a new building and drive-thru lane in what’s presently a parking lot in front of Hobby Lobby, which is part of the Hawthorn Village Commons shopping center.
Officials recently approved a first set of measures, including a special use permit for Panda Express, zoning variations and landscaping plans. Building Commissioner Mike Atkinson said a new plot will be created later and needs approval.
Although the new building would be near the shopping center’s main Townline Road entrance, Atkinson said the property owners agreed to give the village a portion of land along Lakeview Parkway for a joint road widening and parking lot realignment.
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Henry Klover, an architect representing Panda Express, said he’s not sure of a timeline, but the company has this project listed as a high priority in the Chicago market.
Panda Express already has a spot in Hawthorn Mall’s food court and shares a strip mall in front of the Lowe’s store on Milwaukee Avenue.
Trustee David Oppenheim was the lone vote against the Panda Express project.
“I’m not so excited about having two of the restaurants within walking distance of each other,” Oppenheim said, referencing the Milwaukee Avenue location. “Unless there’s a commitment to close the other one, then I’m not in favor this.”
Klover said he was not familiar with the company’s plans for the Milwaukee Avenue store.
“They don’t tend to close stores,” he said.
Trustee James Schultz said he frequents Panda Express and was excited about the new store having a drive-thru.