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Molly's Original Pancake House to replace White Alps

A new family is taking over operations of a Lake Zurich restaurant that operated for about 30 years as White Alps before closing around Halloween.

Garrett Gioulos, a former Chicago police officer, has spent the past several months gutting and renovating the eatery near Rand Road and Route 22. He changed the name to Molly's Original Pancake House and hopes to open by Aug. 1 for breakfast and lunch.

Gioulos, of Barrington Hills, said he has spent about $100,000 to give the eatery a new look and make it functional. A new roof, air conditioning unit, cooler repairs, new flooring and appliances in the kitchen have been part of the massive upgrade. A fresh coat of paint on the outside and parking lot repairs are the most obvious changes to people driving by.

"It's a lot of work," said Gioulos, 64. His wife, Angela and their youngest son, Joe, 25, will assist in running the operation.

Gioulos stressed that they are using local contractors to do the work, as they will be the ones eating at the new restaurant.

The eatery is named after Gioulos' daughter-in-law, Molly, who lives in Volo. He was going to name the pancake house after his granddaughter, Caroline, but after some debate, determined the name Molly is more catchy.

The new family establishment will feature an array of breakfast foods. Sandwiches, salads and soups are also on the menu. The restaurant will continue to serve alcohol. Gioulos noted that bloody mary's are popular on the weekends. Video gaming machines will also operate at Molly's.

The hospitality industry is familiar to Gioulos, who grew up in the restaurant business. He said his father and grandfather owned establishments on the north side of Chicago. "I was working in the kitchen at the age of 14," Gioulos said.

"I love the business and can't wait for Molly's to open," he said.

Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton is also looking forward to the opening of the new restaurant and has stopped by to check on the progress from time to time. "It will nice to see a breakfast place operating there again," Poynton said.

Game plan

Aurora University is building a new $18 million athletic complex. The school has chosen AstroTurf to construct the Spartan Athletic Park.

Phase I calls for the establishment of a new softball facility as well as a field for soccer, lacrosse and football. "We're honored to play a part in the development of this fantastic new sports park at Aurora University," said Rob Mitchell, regional sales manager for AstroTurf.

The athletic park is being developed on a 75-acre parcel just south of campus that the school recently purchased.

Aurora University anticipates that the multisport complex will enable the school to host championships, postseason tournaments, summer youth camps, and community events in the years ahead.

Kudos

Attorney Jason Cotey of the Wheeling based law firm, David M. Siegel & Associates LLC, has been recognized for an exceptional year of service to the firm.

Cotey handles consumer bankruptcy matters under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. His efforts have resulted in liquidation cases as well as debt reorganization plans for those struggling with finances.

The law firm maintains offices in Chicago, Wheeling, Waukegan, Joliet, Aurora and Westchester.

New practice

Heightened Health, a direct primary care functional medicine practice, opened in Barrington.

Founded and run by Dr. Jeanene Caccopola, the new practice approaches wellness restoration and maintenance by fostering a proactive, vested partnership between patients and physician and by addressing the underlying causes of disease, rather than just treating the symptoms.

As a certified IFM practitioner, Caccopola has completed a training program to earn this accreditation in advanced functional medicine coursework, including GI, detox, immune, hormone, cardiometabolic and energy, in addition to her board certification in family medicine.

Heightened Health does not accept private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

By working under a direct primary care (direct-to-consumer) business model, the practice contracts directly with patients.

Caccopola attended medical school at Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove.

Having received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine in 2001, she went on to complete her residency training in Family Medicine at Northwestern University/St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago.

  The former White Alps restaurant on Route 22 in Lake Zurich will soon be Molly's Pancake House. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Jason Cotey
Jason Cotey
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