A redevelopment agreement between the Village of Homewood and Joaquin Anguiano, the owner of an upcoming Mexican restaurant, was approved at the Dec. 10 board meeting.
Mexican restaurant, Tequila Raizes, to the Homewood Board of Trustees
on Dec. 10. (Summer Kiswani/H-F Chronicle)
The restaurant will be called Tequila Raizes, located at 18134-18138 Dixie Highway. The founders describe it as a family-friendly, festive Mexican restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. There will be outdoor seating, a rooftop deck, and on-site parking.
Savoia T’Go restaurant formerly occupied the site. That building was torn down several years ago. The site also includes Independence Park, a small pocket park.
Anguiano is also the owner of Tequila CJ Cantina Grill at 5750 S. Archer Avenue in Chicago.
Anguiano submitted his proposal in October to redevelop the property for Tequila Raizes. This project will be funded by the Downtown Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund, according to Angela Mesaros, Director of Economic and Community Development.
Tequila Raizes will provide a unique and authentic Mexican dining experience, Mesaros said.
Anguiano and his partner for the restaurant, Julio Lopez, gave an introduction to the board for what people can expect from Tequila Raizes.
“The purpose of us coming here is to bring our flavors from Mexico, our culture, for everyone to enjoy,” said Anguiano and Lopez, adding, they invite “everyone to come and enjoy a good Mexican dish.”
They will offer different ceremonies, including celebrations for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and more, Anguiano and Lopez said, adding, “we have many different types of enjoyment and the feeling of a Mexican restaurant.”
Anguiano and Lopez said that they will start the construction when the weather is better, and will open sometime in 2025.
The board has also approved supporting a Cook County Class 8 property tax incentive for this development, which is meant to help with economic stagnation, according to Mesaros. This will help alleviate the property tax burden to match other nearby counties and Indiana that have about a 45% lower property tax rate, Mesaros said.
