Looking to open a retail business, office or restaurant in a Hemingway District storefront? Want free rent? Check out 107 N. Oak Park Ave. The owner of the property is offering up to 12 months free rent for entering into leasing agreement of at least five years.
“If you know of anyone looking for a great space in a great location, let me know,” said leasing agent Tom Wagner, of Mon Ami Realty.
The sweet deal on rent is being offered as an incentive spark interest in the property, which is approximately 5,300 square feet total with a basement and office, according to Wagner. The property has under the ownership of Wagner’s client for about a year and a half.
The site is best known for once being location of Erik’s Deli, which the late restaurateur Erik Jensen opened in 1976. The deli was a beloved Oak Park spot and favorite of former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. Erik’s Deli underwent a complete renovation 2009 and closed permanently in 2017.
Altiro, a Latin fusion restaurant, opened in September 2017 in the space, but it closed less than a year later. The ground-floor commercial space ended up in foreclosure and was sold through court order to a subsidiary of the lender.
In July 2021, the commercial unit was purchased by Holy Key LLC for $380,000. The Illinois Secretary of State’s website identifies Anand Sheth, of Chicago, as the manager of Holy Key LLC. Sheth is the founder of Mon Ami Realty, according to that company’s website.
At the time it closed in 2017, Erik’s Deli appeared to have secured a lease at 736 Lake St., now occupied by Courageous Bakery. However, the leasing agreement fell through and the deli never reopened.
While 107 N. Oak Park Ave. has most recently been a restaurant space, Wagner said it could be leased for pretty much any use, retail or office space included.
