Dixie Kitchen plans to reopen as Old Dixie Cafe, recently announcing plans to hire staff.

The restaurant, located at 825 Church St. in the Evanston Galleria building was one of three Dixie Kitchens in a chain started out of Hyde Park, which became famous for serving then-Sen. Barack Obama. The Evanston restaurant closed last fall and the space has since been left vacant. While the Hyde Park restaurant has also closed, the location in Lansing, Illinois, is still in business under new ownership.

The city has known that the restaurant will be reopening under new management since fall of last year, said Paul Zalmezak, an economic development official. Although Zalmezak predicts the restaurant is opening soon, the exact date is still not known. However, the restaurant has posted signs at its physical location and on social media that it is hiring.

According a report from the city manager’s office, the business was approved to operate as a Food Establishment in February with plans to open in the next month and is currently pending approval of a liquor license from City Council.

Old Dixie Cafe staff could not be reached for comment.

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