Opening of a new restaurant at the former site of Mount Zion Solsa | Local

“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.

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.

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.