Princeton, il (Chicago, Naperville, Dixon: apartment complexes, school, quality of life)

[decision]

I am looking for any information on Princeton, IL. Looks like a great town. Questions I have is about opening a business in the south part of town. Can another food place survive? What kind of eating activity takes place and when?
This and any other information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Decision

[printerz]

Hi there. Just curious as to what type of a restuarant. I own 2 businesses downtown and would be able to give you some good insight but the type of rest. would help meout...

[Tonyaah]

I grew up in Princeton and graduated from PHS in '89.

I think it would depend on what kind of food place you're talking about? Steak House? Fast food? Donut shop? Sushi? (I have a feeling that most of the locals would call your sushi "bait" )

Good luck with your restaurant! Be sure to leave my hometown in good condition. I hope to move back there some day!!!

[MsDebiUSA]

Originally Posted by decision

I am looking for any information on Princeton, IL. Looks like a great town. Questions I have is about opening a business in the south part of town. Can another food place survive? What kind of eating activity takes place and when?
This and any other information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Decision

I've been a resident of Princeton, IL. for over 6 years and I believe the South end of town needs more restaurants as this part of town has 2 huge high-rise apartment complexes with residents being senior/disabled. There are few local restaurants for these folks to walk to. There are various other businesses that I'm sure would appreciate more restaurants. But I suggest make it a "down-home country" style place with reasonable prices otherwise you will loose business to the existing restaurants such as Red Apple and Road Ranger's Princeton Family Restaurant. Hope this helps! Good Luck!!

[illini_69_2000]

Originally Posted by MsDebiUSA

I've been a resident of Princeton, IL. for over 6 years and I believe the South end of town needs more restaurants as this part of town has 2 huge high-rise apartment complexes with residents being senior/disabled. There are few local restaurants for these folks to walk to. There are various other businesses that I'm sure would appreciate more restaurants. But I suggest make it a "down-home country" style place with reasonable prices otherwise you will loose business to the existing restaurants such as Red Apple and Road Ranger's Princeton Family Restaurant. Hope this helps! Good Luck!!

down-home country would be a mistake b/c there are already at least 3-4 like that in a small town. It would be a mistake. There was a restaruant that opened called wise guys, ive been a few times, its decent priced, and really good food. but it is also a bar. It would have to be something like that in my opinion. that place is packed a lot also. there arent really any restaruants on the south that i recall, so if it is even possible to do it would be somehting different already.

[Taylorengineer]

I grew up in Princeton, I moved away in 1994 at the age of 36. Princeton is a nice little town, but does not have much opportunity for a young adult, at least at that time. A large number of my family still live back there. I would be very cautious about a business, especially a restauarant. There have been a number of restaurants that have opened and closed in the last 12 years in old buildings on north and south main that at one time had a thriving business in the 60s and 70s. The busy part of town is north right by interstate 80. Good luck!

[phenomshel]

Can anyone give me information about train service from Princeton to Naperville or into Chicago? I found Amtrak's "Catch an Illinois Train" site, and it's helpful but not inclusive. I need to know if commuting with this method is a possibility? Also, information on rents, quality of life, prices, would be most helpful and greatly appreciated. We're looking to possibly relocate from Dixon, Illinois closer into the metro area for jobs. My husband will be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Services at the end of June, and I am currently enrolled for an Associate's Degree in Medical Office Administration. Both degrees are online, so the upheaval to get to school is not an issue. We're looking for a smaller town that has some commuting options besides car (since I hate winter driving). Thanks for any help!

[TabulaRasa]

Princeton is on Amtrak's Illinois Zephyr route, which goes to Chicago every morning and back to Princeton every evening, $12 each way. The same train also has a Mendota stop that's $10 into Chicago and $10 back (both those fares are weekday prices, it goes up on the weekends). I don't believe there's a Naperville stop on this route (there is on the Southwest Chief, but it's a more costly train and doesn't run through the area during times that would work for commuting).

I wouldn't do it as a daily commute, but for a person who needs to get to Chicago and back occasionally, it's totally doable. But for regular work, it's a touch too far to comfortably commute, IMO. Princeton isn't any closer to the metro area than Dixon.