Village Board to Discuss EDIA Request for New Hell’s BBQ Location

According to the Village of Oswego’s board meeting agenda for Tuesday, October 6, an item includes the discussion of an Economic Development Incentive Award for Hell’s BBQ.

The Village Board will discuss an EDIA request for the new Hell’s BBQ location on Washington Street.

According to the agenda item memo, Hell’s BBQ, Inc. is proposing to relocate from it’s recently closed location on Station Drive to East Washington Street. The building of the new location has been vacant since 2024 when Danelli’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant closed.

According to the memo, Hell’s BBQ, Inc. is requesting a $40,000 grant award to assist with such things as upgrading the kitchen hood, construction of a concrete area for a meat smoker, installation of fencing around the smoker area, and building improvements including exterior painting. The memo also states that Hell’s BBQ is planning a second phase of the project to create a patio area.

The Village Board previously awarded a $30,000 loan agreement to Hell’s BBQ back in May 2023. Those funds were used as part of the opening of the original location on Station Drive. Despite moving locations, the memo says, “Hell’s BBQ continues to make the monthly payments on their loan and is current on them.”

The memo says that village staff looks at several factors when reviewing an EDIA request, including expansion of local tax base, expansion of employment base, attraction of regional consumers, enhancement of community image, and more. The memo states that “the proposed improvements are expected to enhance the value of the property, which will have a positive financial impact on the downtown TIF” (tax increment financing) district.

The discussion will take place during the “New Business” section of the agenda. The Oswego Village Board meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. at Oswego Village Hall.