Mokena Approves ‘Emerald Social’ Restaurant and Outdoor Entertainment Venue

Village of Mokena Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025

Article Summary: The Mokena Village Board has granted final approval for Emerald Social, a new restaurant and family-friendly outdoor entertainment venue featuring a “food truck park,” live music stage, and gaming areas at 10020 W. 191st Street. The project, which required a rezoning and several zoning variations, is now cleared to move forward with development.

Emerald Social Development Key Points:

• The board approved an ordinance amending a planned unit development, rezoning the property to C-2 Commercial Highway District, and granting a special use permit for the project.

• The venue will feature a 5,965-square-foot main building and a 3,917-square-foot outdoor patio and entertainment space.

• The business plan includes a restaurant featuring Emerald Cup Coffee and Pizza di Farfella, a rotating lineup of up to four food trucks, a stage for live music, fire pits, and a kids’ play area.

The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, unanimously approved the development of Emerald Social, a new restaurant and outdoor entertainment concept proposed for the northwest corner of 191st Street and Grotovsky Drive. The approval paves the way for the construction of a venue designed to be a family-friendly destination with a restaurant, bar, mobile food trucks, and a variety of indoor and outdoor amusement options.

The project, located at 10020 W. 191st Street within the Olivieri Business Park, is being led by co-owners Katie McEnery and Kelly Devine. Their plan includes a 5,965-square-foot building that will house a restaurant featuring Emerald Cup Coffee, founded by the applicants, and Pizza di Farfella from New Lenox Chef Giovanni Oriente. The indoor space will be complemented by a 3,917-square-foot outdoor patio and entertainment area.

A key feature of the proposal is what the applicants describe as a “food truck park,” an alley designed to host up to four mobile food vendors on a rotating basis. The outdoor space is also set to include a stage for live performances, recreational lawn games, fire pits, and a dedicated kids’ play area.

“We believe we picked the perfect home for Emerald Social and we can’t wait to open our doors and give back to this incredible community,” Devine said after the vote. McEnery and Devine thanked the village staff and board for their support throughout the planning process.

Assistant Village Administrator and Community Development Director Brent Cann presented the final plan to the board, noting it had received a favorable recommendation from the Mokena Planning Commission on September 18. To move forward, the project required the board to approve an amendment to the existing Planned Unit Development, rezone the 1.53-acre lot from C-1 Traditional Shopping District to C-2 Commercial Highway District, and grant a special use permit for outdoor entertainment and mobile food trucks.

The board also approved several zoning variations for the project, including adjustments to landscaping requirements, a reduction in parking stall size, the use of permanent festoon-style string lights, and a reduction of the corner yard setback to 10 feet.

Cann outlined that the entertainment will be scheduled primarily on weekends and evenings during warmer months from May to October, with a focus on family-friendly events, acoustic music, and other community activities.

After the vote, McEnery and Devine thanked the village for a positive and encouraging experience. “As small business owners, we’ve heard how challenging it can be to bring a new business idea to life, but our experience in Mokena has been nothing but positive,” Devine stated.

Mayor George J. Metanias welcomed them to the village, adding, “When you’re a business in Mokena, you have a partner. That’s us. So we’ll be there.”