Plainfield's Baci Building Back on the Market

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But according to the village, a $175,000 deal to sell the building to chef and restaurateur Darryl Sams has fallen through — so, for now, the former Baci restaurant building, 24018 W. Lockport St., is back on the market.

"The bottom line is, we are no longer under contract with Mr. Sams," village planner Michael Garrigan told Patch."Unfortunately, he will not be proceeding with the development of the property."

Sams told Patch he planned to open a white tablecloth restaurant featuring fresh seafood and steaks with a New Orleans flair, with hopes of opening the eatery by Thanksgiving. The timeline was ambitious, considering the scope of work needed to renovate the 145-year-old former church and restore its numerous stained-glass windows.

• Read - Chef on New Plainfield Restaurant: Naperville Will Come Here

First a Unitarian then a Catholic church, the building has been vacant since Baci closed in 2010. To save the aging structure from the wrecking ball, the village purchased the site for $125,000 in 2012 before investing another $67,000 in roof repairs and mold mitigation.

Garrigan said the village is once again looking to sell the building to a restaurant or retail developer.

"Unfortunately, we're back to square one," he said. "Obviously, it's a unique building which will obviously take a unique business person for adaptive reuse."

Sams, who gave Patch a tour of the building in September, did not respond to a message on Friday.

Related stories:

• Board Sells Former Baci Building for $175,000
• Village: Steak, Seafood Restaurant Slated for Former Baci Building
• Village in Talks to Purchase, Repair Closed Baci Restaurant
• Village OKs Roof Repairs for Former Baci Site
• Village Seeks Buyer for Former Baci Building