The Dime: historic bank becomes downtown Des Plaines restaurant

DES PLAINES, Ill., June 15, 2026 — A vacant 1927 bank building in downtown Des Plaines will reopen as a restaurant called The Dime under a public-private partnership between the city and restaurateur David Villegas' 10 Scents company. The three-story, marble-sided structure at 678 Lee St. is set to open in 2027, on the building's centennial.

City leaders view the project as an anchor for a wider downtown revival, betting that foot traffic from the restaurant will spill into nearby businesses. Des Plaines is funding up to $12 million in building upgrades, while Villegas' team will spend a projected $4.5 million on kitchen equipment, furniture and fixtures.

Inside the downtown Des Plaines restaurant plan

The Dime will seat diners on the ground floor, a mezzanine and inside the building's former bank vault, which will host private parties of up to 16 people. A lounge and additional private dining are planned for the second floor, and the third floor will be reserved for private events.

Des Plaines bought the roughly 18,000-square-foot building in 2024 for $1.9 million. The restaurant's name and that of Villegas' 10 Scents company both nod to the structure's past as the Des Plaines State Bank.

Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said the vault dining area will offer an experience "unlike anything else in the Northwest suburbs."

A track record in Des Plaines

Villegas, a Des Plaines native and resident, already operates Foxtail on the Lake, which opened in 2023 in a former church converted through a partnership with the Des Plaines Park District. Goczkowski cited that result in backing the new deal.

"They create a product that people want to spend money at," Goczkowski said of Villegas' organization. Under the lease, the city will keep ownership of the building, and 10 Scents will pay rent once an occupancy permit is issued.

Villegas' company holds an option to buy the property after the 10th, 15th and 20th years of the lease.

Part of a wider downtown push

The Dime is one of several downtown deals Des Plaines has pursued. The city council approved an incentive and development agreement last year for a restaurant at 1575 Ellinwood St., the former site of Oliveti's Italian Ristorante.

In October, the council agreed to buy the former Leona's restaurant building at 1504 Miner St. for $1.1 million. Goczkowski said visitors drawn downtown could discover the nearby Des Plaines Theatre and other venues, turning into repeat customers. More on the city's downtown plans is posted by the City of Des Plaines.

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