The end may be nearing for the popular, if notorious, Horwath’s restaurant in Elmwood Park after the village’s Zoning Board voted 9-1 Wednesday to approve a special-use permit for a drive-through bank on the North Harlem Avenue property.
The issue now goes to the Village Board, where trustees are expected to vote on it March 1, said Elmwood Park Village Manager Jay Dalicandro.
The proposed $3 million, 5,000-square-foot TCF bank with five drive-through lanes would be built at 1850 N. Harlem Ave., where Horwath’s has operated since 1931. Opened as a speakeasy, the restaurant became a favorite hangout for Chicago mobsters during the 1970s and `80s.
In recent years, it has built a following as a family-friendly neighborhood outpost, and fans have strongly opposed efforts to redevelop the property. More than 3,000 people signed a petition last fall in an attempt to save Horwath’s.
Resident John Spina tried Wednesday to sway the Zoning Board, citing concerns over traffic congestion. “The passing of Horwath’s aside, I commend the bank. It’s a beautiful building, but we don’t need it.”
Board member Chris Caponigri saw change as inevitable. “If the bank doesn’t go in, it will be something else. It’s a given that Horwath’s is going to go.”
And Richard Torpe, another board member, said, “This is not a vote against Horwath’s. Lord knows it’s a fine restaurant.”
The property was bought by a trust in 2002 for about $1.4 million, and an attorney for the trust last year indicated the restaurant would close when its lease expired Dec. 31. It remains open and owner Charles Roumeliotis said he would like to buy the property. But the trust won’t negotiate with him, he said.
An attorney who represents the trust could not be reached for comment.
Village officials, citing private property rights, said there is little they can do to halt redevelopment of the site along a busy stretch of Harlem.
