The Original Pancake House is moving to make way for another breakfast restaurant in Orland Park.
Owner Lisa Sczurek announced this week on Facebook that the Original Pancake House would be closing its longtime location at 15256 S. LaGrange Road on Sunday, June 8, before reopening over the summer in the former Houlihan’s restaurant at 16153 S. LaGrange.
“We’re moving,” she wrote. “After 21 years at our current location we are thrilled to announce we are moving right down the street to a larger brand new space! Our last day on 153rd and LaGrange will be Sunday, June 8th.”
She said updates would be posted on the company’s website at www.opchicagoland.com
The former Houlihan’s has been vacant since it closed in November 2019 citing high rent and operating costs among reasons for the closing. The building had been on the market with an asking price of $3.2 million.
The current location is 5,000-square-foot while the new location is 8,000-square-foot.
The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953, which is still open. The first Chicago-area location opened in 1972 in Hyde Park. The Sczurek family now owns and operates five locations across Chicagoland, including a second south suburban location in Oak Forest.
Florida-based First Watch announced in March that it would be taking over the space from the Original Pancake House in December, as part of an expansion in the Chicago area.
“We’re excited to continue expanding in the Chicago market,” Robert Glen, vice president of operations for First Watch, said in a release.
First Watch locations are typically open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for breakfast and lunch. Almost the same hours as the Original Pancake House, which is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to taking over the Original Pancake House site, First Watch plans new locations in Algonquin, Naperville and Oak Park.
Nationally, First Watch has more than 520 restaurants in 29 states.