The Flossmoor Village Board unanimously approved plans Feb. 2 for a new commercial development featuring Chipotle and 7 Brew near the Meijer store at 3900 Vollmer Road.
The approval included amendments to the site’s planned unit development, special use permits, and a subdivision request to allow the two restaurants to operate as separate entities on the property.
Mayor Michelle Nelson said the proposal had been carefully evaluated to ensure it fit the village’s goals and addressed traffic concerns.
“We’ve been waiting for the right tenants for this site,” Nelson said. “This is a location that residents use every day, and we wanted development there to reflect what people actually want to see in Flossmoor.”
The Chipotle location will feature indoor dining, an outdoor patio, and a mobile-order pickup lane rather than a traditional drive-through. Developers said the pickup-only model limits vehicle stacking and keeps traffic moving efficiently.
Dan Abdo, a representative for the development team, said the site design went through multiple revisions to ensure the two businesses would not interfere with one another.
“It was really important to us that each drive-through function independently,” Abdo said. “We spent a lot of time making sure traffic flow worked without creating backups or conflicts.”
The 7 Brew coffee stand will operate as a drive-through-focused business offering coffee, teas, smoothies, and flavored energy drinks. Orders will be taken by staff using tablets in the drive-through lanes, with no indoor seating.
Chris George, a franchise representative for 7 Brew, said the concept has grown quickly in the region and draws a wide range of customers.
“Our customers do trend younger, but it’s really for everyone,” he said. “We see families, commuters, and people just stopping in for something quick on their way through town.”
Several trustees expressed enthusiasm for both businesses and noted the convenience of adding popular dining options closer to home.
Trustee Gary Daggett said the development complements existing businesses in the area and could help strengthen the retail corridor near Meijer.
“This keeps people in Flossmoor instead of driving elsewhere,” Daggett said. “When you bring people here for one stop, they’re more likely to visit other businesses nearby.”
Trustees also highlighted Flossmoor’s walkability and asked questions about pedestrian safety, particularly at the 7 Brew site. Developers said walk-up customers would be accommodated safely outside the drive-through lanes.
With the approvals in place, the project will move forward to the next stages of permitting and construction. Village officials said the development reflects continued momentum in Flossmoor’s economic growth.
