The Oswego Village Board Tuesday night will consider a $40,000 economic incentive grant for a barbecue restaurant looking to open in the village’s downtown.
Hell’s BBQ, Inc. is proposing to open a barbeque-style restaurant in a privately-owned space at 228 E. Washington St., village officials said.
Hell’s BBQ plans to relocate the restaurant from its former location at 1019 Station Drive in Oswego, which operated from 2022 to July of this year, to the downtown Oswego site, Oswego Economic Development Directo Kevin Leighty said in a report to trustees.
The building at 228 E. Washington has been vacant since Danelli’s closed at the end of 2024. The owners retired after operating the restaurant there for more than 45 years, Leighty said.
The applicant has requested the maximum $40,000 grant award to help offset high building material and construction costs that exist in the current market, Leighty said.
The requested incentive amount is based upon a total project budget of approximately $100,000, Leighty said.
The proposed project includes upgrading the kitchen hood with a fire protection system, construction of a concrete area for a meat smoker, installation of fencing around the smoker area and facade improvements including exterior painting of the building.
The applicant is also planning a second phase of the project to create a patio area which will be taking place next year, Leighty said.
The property owner intends to complete its own portion of the renovation project later this year, separately of Hell’s BBQ, which will most notably include the installation of a grease trap and paving the parking lot, Leighty said.
The village board previously approved a loan agreement with Hell’s BBQ in May 2023 for its Station Drive location. The loan request was for $30,000 based on a project budget of $66,000, Leighty said.
“The funds were used as part of the opening of their first brick-and-mortar restaurant location which included the purchase and installation of a drive-thru telecom system, a structure for the barbeque smoker and exterior fencing. Although they’re moving locations, Hell’s BBQ continues to make the monthly payments on their loan and is current on them,” Leighty said.
The village’s grant incentive program is available to businesses proposing to expand or locate in Oswego’s downtown tax increment financing district on Main and Washington streets to promote property improvements.
“The applicant is an established business owner proposing to build out the tenant space at 228 E. Washington for a new restaurant which will contribute to and enhance the downtown TIF,” Leighty said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
