Opening of a new restaurant at the former site of Mount Zion Solsa | Local
MOUNT ZION – The owners of the Four Star Family Restaurant in Mount Zion plan to open a second restaurant not far from their current operation.
“We haven’t decided yet, but there will be cakes and coffee, much like a haunt-style cafe,” Four Star owner Afrim Aliu said of the plans for Solsa’s former location. American Burrito Co. in Mount Zion.
Plans underway for former Cheddar site
Aliu said there are plans to renovate the building – which has been vacant since Solsa closed last year – and install video game machines once it receives the necessary licenses from the state.
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The company, which will be called Leonardos, will benefit from funds generated by the business development district that exists in Mount Zion to help with such projects. The building is located at 910 N. State Highway 121, just four doors south of the Four Star.
The village council approved the deal with Aliu and AL Apartments, of Decatur, on March 21.
The agreement provides for a reimbursement of 50% of business district taxes generated by the company to cover eligible expenses, up to $313,000, incurred on or before July 31.
The Business Development District was created as an economic development tool that increases sales tax, service occupancy tax and hotel tax by 1% for businesses operating in the district which includes land from both sides of Illinois 121 and Main Street in the village.
The money generated by these taxes is then placed in a fund which can be used to help developers with plans and studies, land acquisition, site preparation, public infrastructure, renovation of existing buildings, construction new buildings and lower financing costs.
Aliu said he doesn’t have a big opening day for the cafe, but plans to open it over the summer.
The people of Mount Zion over the years
The corner of history: a look back
1983: The Mount Zion Puppeteers: front, Paul McAnelly, Doug Enlow and leader Donna Johnson; on stage, Kim Drayton, Mindy Hope, Chris Hinton and Candy Baldwin; offstage, Mike McCleery, Steve Johnson, Tony Camden and Chris Johnson.
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The corner of history: a look back
1989: Members of a Mount Zion alcohol task force are, from left, Pete Edwards, 18; Carol Saunders, 17; Bob Licklider, 18; Julie Day, 17; Scott Howerton, 18, and Erin Lively, 16.
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The corner of history: a look back
1978: December 25 will not only be Christmas but also the end of extra work for postmen like Stan Taylor of Mount Zion, here loaded down with holiday letters and pages.
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The corner of history: a look back
1989: Mount Zion’s Kristen Hanover, right, and Argenta-Oreana’s Selina Braden battle for the ball as Jody Foster joins the action.
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The corner of history: a look back
1963: The Mount Zion baseball team includes: front row, left to right, Joe Zucco, Dan Green, Dave Kondritz, Bob Burg, Jerry Spinner, Larry Scholz. Back row are Bernie Jacobs, Mike Stroyeck, Dale Morgan, Jack Landers, Larry Karch and coach Nelson Nedde.
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The corner of history: a look back
1986: Mount Zion junior defensive tackle Sean Hubner hoists Jill Goodwin and Tracy Graumenz.
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The corner of history: a look back
1987: Joe Jones, in his position, concession stand of the Mount Zion youth baseball/softball program.
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The corner of history: a look back
1987: Dick Jones, coach for 25 years, Mount Zion Youth baseball-softball programs.
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HISTORY CORNER: LOOKING BACK
1991: Mount Zion’s Brad Phelps (10) takes on Charleston’s Jacob Pschirrer. Phelps scored 5 points in the win.
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The corner of history: a look back
1979: A team of Clydesdale horses, bred by Berry Farrell and his family of Lake City and St. Louis, rode the Mount Zion Christmas Parade march. Horses are used in Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. advertisements.
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HISTORY CORNER: LOOKING BACK

1987: Shane Mendenhall, 7, stops at third base. Shane plays in one of Mount Zion’s six men’s baseball divisions, affiliated with the PONY organization.
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HISTORY CORNER: LOOKING BACK
1984: Springfield’s Natalie Swartz had her eye on Old Glory at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rally at Mount Zion.
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HISTORY CORNER: LOOKING BACK
1991: Mount Zion’s Travis Foreman slides safely past Eisenhower second baseman Adam Creason, who was trying to tag Foreman to second base. Mount Zion won the match 10-6.
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HISTORY CORNER: LOOKING BACK
1991: Mount Zion second baseman Brad Chunn, left, was unable to throw the pitch as Eisenhower’s Aaron Turner (22) stole second. Chunn hit a grand slam and Chris Hoard added a solo homer to propel Mount Zion to a 10-6 victory.
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