The Lisle Village Board has approved $85,000 in grant money for Schmaltz Deli, which is tentatively planning to relocate from Naperville to a larger location on Ogden Avenue.
Schmaltz CEO Mark Goodman told the Lisle board in March that a move from its 1512 N. Naper Blvd. storefront to a freestanding restaurant in the former Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery building was contingent on securing grant money from the village. The new location would be about a mile east of is current one.
Renovation of the building at 3011 Ogden Ave. is expected to cost about $1.8 million, but will allow Schmaltz to separate its dining and retail areas to provide easier service for both types of patrons, Goodman said.
Schmaltz would also be able to expand to a full-service, sit-down restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers alcohol service. They still need to obtain a liquor license, which is pending, and approval for drive-through service.
The grants come with conditions. Construction must start within six months and must be substantially complete within a year, although a three-month extension can be requested, Lisle Village Manager Eric Ertmoed said.
Schmaltz is known for its large corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, bagels and cream cheese, and homemade soup and sauces as well as for Jewish specialties, including latkes, knishes, lox, chopped liver and challah bread. It’s been a Naperville staple for 16 years and recently opened a smaller store in Wheaton.