Lake Zurich trustees recently approved a new five-year lease agreement with PB and S Investments, the company that operates the Sunset Pavilion at Breezewald Park restaurant, allowing the operation to run through 2026.
The eatery offers food, drinks and live music lakeside at 133 North Old Rand Road. The village has been working with PB and S Investments since 2018.
Trustee Greg Weider said at the Aug. 16 Village Board meeting where the lease agreement was approved, that the contract, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026, would be good for the village.
“The proposed lease includes village monthly rent of $500 or 20% of gross sales of alcohol and 12% of gross sales of other items, whichever is greater, payable for months of operation only,” he said. “Months of operation are May 1 through Oct. 31, along with operating one day in March during the annual Purple Plunge special event.
As part of the agreement with the village, PB and S Investments will invest in improvements for the pavilion, including installing a patio at the base of the existing deck with a stone fire pit for use during autumn evenings. Also, in addition to paying for most of the improvements, the company provides its own insurance.
The Lake Zurich-based limited liability company has a history of Lake Zurich development, officials pointed out. The company also developed Somerset by the Lake Luxury rental community.
Trustee Janice Gannon asked Sunset Pavilion operator Stefani Jerard whether anyone can use the venue or just paying customers.
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“Anybody can use that area. My big concern is that they’ll bring in outside food, and that’s because of the Illinois Department of Public Health,” Jerard said.
She explained that bringing in outside food means the restaurant is liable for that food, too.
Trustee Mary Beth Eucher asked how many people use the tables who aren’t customers, and Jared said it wasn’t common.
“We don’t really have people coming in there that often and not ordering from us,” Jerard said.
She also explained that the grassy area of the eatery is dusty and dirty, with not a lot of grass growing there.
Jerard said the new area will also keep dirt off visitors and enhance the seawall.
“It’ll provided another opportunity for our guests,” she said.
Gannon said she would prefer the fire pits use a propane or gas fire. Trustee Marc Spacone agreed, and said he feared kids would sneak in at night to start fires.
Developers had planned for a wood-burning fire pit but said they would look into gas-powered ones.
Spacone called the public/private partnership a “win-win.”
Jared said the enhancements will provide another amenity for village residents and guests and the space will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making the facilities open to everyone.
“This would also give us a second place to have events,” she said.
The enhancement work will begin in October and ideally finished by next winter, officials explained.
“I love what you’ve done with this, and I think we should keep looking for more opportunities to do this,” said Trustee Dan Bobrowski.
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.