Neighbors and officials gathered to help break ground on a Lou Malnati's slated to open near Midway Airport.
MIDWAY — Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria will soon open near Midway International Airport.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is slated to open in spring 2017 on a former used car lot at 6456 S. Cicero Ave.
A number of dignitaries, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) and Lou Malnati’s co-owner Rick Malnati, broke ground at the lot Friday morning.
Over the last year, a number of new developments have sprouted along Cicero Avenue. Panda Express recently bought a 16,000 square-foot lot at 6501 S. Cicero Ave., a property adjacent to the forthcoming Vib, a 74-room Best Western boutique hotel at 6501 S. Cicero Ave.
“With exciting developments like the Vib Chicago hotel and the addition of a Chicago staple like Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, we’re hoping to give people a reason to stay, shop or dine around Midway," Quinn said.
Famous for its deep dish pizza, Lou Malnati’s has 13 full-service restaurants, two cafes and 32 carryout locations around Chicago.
Neighborhood folks and business owners hope the pizzeria serves as a catalyst for other restaurants to invest in the area.
“A high-quality restaurant like Lou Malnati's is a great asset for the community,” said John Kapusciarz, long-time general manager of European Chalet Banquets at The Mayor’s Mansion. “This will help in creating a ‘restaurant row’ in the airport district."