Pizza restaurant coming to Cairo

CAIRO A new development is coming to Cairo from a familiar Southern Illinois businessman.

Jerry Westlund, owner of several Southern Illinois properties, including The Pony and Social House in Carbondale, has entered into a contract with the city of Cairo to receive tax increment financial funds to develop Pit Stop Pizza within city limits.

The resolution passed by the Cairo City Council March 24 states Westlund is eligible to receive up to $44,000 in reimbursement funds. The payment is for existing building renovation and site preparation costs.

Westlund said Pit Stop Pizza will be a pizza and sub restaurant, similar to an establishment with the same name in East Cape Girardeau, across from a business owned by Westland called The Pony.

He said he is redeveloping a modular building in Cairo and will probably invest more than $100,000 in site preparations, a parking lot and lights for the restaurant.

I think this will be something Cairo can be proud of, he said. I think there is a lack of quality development going on down there and hopefully we will be a part of a rebound. I think the folks down there are being under-served right now.

Westlund said he will be using local labor for the construction and hopes to have the restaurant open by June 1.

In addition to the businesses in East Cape Girardeau, Westlund owns The Pony, the Newell Building and the building inhabited by Social House in Carbondale on East Main Street. The Pony in East Cape Girardeau is an adult entertainment establishment. The Pony and Social House in Carbondale are considered liquor establishments.

He said he had two tenants wanting to move into the vacant areas of the Newell building, but one backed off after resistance from the city about the legality of the business. The second tenant is still looking to have a video gaming establishment.

Westlund said the restaurant in Cairo is a restaurant that could serve beer and wine, but that would be up to the tenant.

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Pizza restaurant coming to Cairo