La Grange’s popular downtown leads to parking crunch despite garage

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Updated: March 26, 2012 1:58AM

Valet parking is making a comeback in La Grange, despite a parking deck boasting 368 spaces in the heart of the downtown and six scattered lots totaling more than 1,000 spaces.

Several restaurant owners have noticed a weekend parking crunch since the $8 million structure opened Dec. 1, 2005 at 80 S. 6th Ave. Valet parking in demand before the garage opened was reintroduced in 2010, first for eateries on the east side of La Grange Road.

“Prasino brought up the idea again, and the Village Board loves it,” said Patrick Benjamin, community development director for the village. “The restaurants oversee valet parking, and it’s a good attraction. We just opened another location.”

Linda Bacin, who opened Bella Bacinos with her husband, Dan, in 2001, said she began to see the parking shortage three years ago.

“Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes on Thursdays, the garage is absolutely full,” Linda Bacin said. “On Valentine’s Day, I had people with reservations cancelling because they got so frustrated trying to find a place to park.”

Bacin said she’s thrilled that a third valet pick-up point has been added on the west side of La Grange Road.

“This was the third weekend it’s been offered, and it’s made a huge difference,” she said.

Bacin said the valets parking the cars have undergone background checks. Cars from patrons of restaurants on the west side of La Grange Road are parked on that side and don’t cross La Grange Road, she said.

“Valet parking is safe and secure,” she said. “For a few bucks, people can have peace of mind and convenience.”

For certain occasions, such as Valentine’s Day, some of the valet workers have been contracted by the village to monitor the parking garage and direct motorists to alternative locations, Benjamin said.

“Downtown La grange is still a hot commodity. We’re pulling a lot more people in,” he said. “It’s a wonderful problem to have.”

Bacin said she consulted other restaurant operators in La Grange about the parking situation, and discussions led to formulating Restaurant Week Feb. 17-26 with special menus and events for the month.

“We’re also looking into forming a buying co-op,” she said. “Downtown Chicago is doing it among certain restaurants, and they’re saving about 16 percent on supplies.”

Plans also are being formulated for a Taste of La Grange event later in the year, as well as a fall music festival to showcase the talents of local musicians.

“We’ve got a good thing going here in La Grange and hope to take it to the next level,” she said.