After the Southern Belle restaurant in Bedford Park closed after more than two decades at 6737 S. Archer Ave., the village of Bedford Park purchased the site for $2.5 million.
Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady said the eatery closed after a plan to move the restaurant to 65th Street and Central Avenue didn’t work out because of the cost.
Brady said the Bedford Park building needed work so it was ordered demolished. That has finally happened.
Brady has indicated tentative plans for the site now include a new breakfast restaurant and fast-food franchise in a building that would be owned by the village. A police training facility of some kind would be located on the second floor with the restaurants on the ground floor.
Brady said nothing definite has been approved.
Brady said the village board was committed to upgrading the property and improving the southwest entrance to the village.