New Restaurant Franchise Has Sights Set on Oglesby

If you like wings, or if you don’t like seeing commercial buildings sitting empty, you have new reason to be optimistic in Oglesby.

During Monday night’s city council meeting, Mayor Jason Curran said that he’s received an application for a liquor license by franchisees of a fast-casual chicken-wing restaurant called Wing Snob. The owners have told Curran they’re hoping to buy the long-vacant building near Interstate 39 that was left behind when Burger King moved out years ago.

Wing Snob offers wings, tenders and sliders. Its nearest location is in North Aurora – one of multiple franchises in the Chicago suburbs, among other locations. The mayor was quick to note that the restaurant’s owners had given him the go-ahead to publicly discuss their interest in settling in Oglesby.

In a follow-up discussion with WLPO, the mayor said he didn’t have the names of the owners at hand.

The council Monday night also voted to appoint Jim Clinard as the new zoning administrator.

But it didn’t come easy. It took weeks of discussions and a series of votes to get here.

One issue around Clinard’s possible appointment had to do with his employment at Chamlin and Associates in Peru – the same firm Oglesby uses for its engineering work. Commissioners expressed some reservations about creating the appearance of a conflict of interest in hiring Clinard. Voting in favor of Clinard were Commissioners Austin Cullinan and Gregory “Mac” McDermott, as well as Mayor Curran. Voting no were Commissioners Rich Baldridge and Hilary Moyle.

That finally settled, the council approved to pay Clinard $25 per hour for the first 10 hours worked in a month. And $50 per hour after that, through the end of the month.

Some good old-fashioned fun could be coming to the City of Oglesby, if the calendar cooperates.

Baldridge says a big-tent circus has offered to come to town at no cost to the city. The operator says it just needs an open field and a hose hook-up, and only makes money on concessions. So, the circus would be free to attend. The catch is, there are only a couple of dates left for the season, and this offer’s also been made to other cities in the region. Curran expressed support, but said that he wants to ensure surrounding communities don’t have similar events scheduled on the open dates before they lock it in. Baldridge urged quick action.

Music in the Park will be happening this Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Lehigh Park. The event is free, but We Are Oglesby is hosting a beverage tent. Those proceeds will go toward the refinishing of the helicopter and cannon in Memorial Park. Tacos will also be sold Friday night. The last day of the swim season at the Oglesby pool will be this Saturday. And council members wished good luck to the Illinois Valley Senior League team, taking the field against host South Carolina Tuesday morning at 8.

New Restaurant Franchise Has Sights Set on Oglesby

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