WILL THE SECOND TIME BE THE CHARM?

There used to be a Wing Stop within walking distance of Northern Illinois University's main campus.  Like many other DeKalb businesses, that might have been done in by Governor Pritzker's corona tyranny.  "The kind of places that might have offered variety are gone: the pho restaurant by the grocery store, the Panda, Wing Stop, and a local pizza delivery service in a complex that only hosts a Starbucks, and some of the more conventional hot dog and Italian beef outlets have given up." The store front where Wing Stop used to be has recently been turned into a cheese steak outlet, but the locations used by Panda Express, a pizzeria, and a cell 'phone dealer (!) are still to let. The Starbucks are still active, and with students returning, still functions as a study hall.

If you want Wing Stops, head to stroad hell, not far from Buffalo Wild Wings.  "A Wingstop location has opened in Sycamore, located at 2682 DeKalb Ave."

Co-owners John Hooper and Mike Zak discussed the beginning of their franchise.

“Mike (Zak) approached me (Hooper) about three years ago, he wanted to have a second brand (in addition to Wendy’s), and it was Wingstop,” Hooper said. “So we went and tried it out, and I was like ‘I’m all in’ so he hired me to run the Wingstop side of the business, and we’ve been growing that company for the last two years. We’ve opened six Wingstops. We have four in Wisconsin, and this is our second in Illinois.”

Hooper emphasized the benefits of having a location in Sycamore.

“We’re super excited to be in the Sycamore area. We think there is a lot of upside with the college here and the populations between the two cities,” Hooper said.

While the location is fully staffed, it is still looking for employees.

Members of the DeKalb community were enthusiastic about Wingstop’s long-awaited opening.

Gracie Craft, a DeKalb resident, is excited to have a wing spot in Sycamore.

“It’s exciting. Now we have a place to go (for wings) that is close,” Craft said.

Jose Vasquez, a DeKalb resident, is looking forward to having a Wingstop open up in the DeKalb/Sycamore area.

“I love Wingstop. I used to have to drive all the way to Aurora to get some Wingstop, now it’s only just a few minutes away. Me and my wife are both very excited,” Vasquez said.

Perhaps a few things have changed in five years, and perhaps there's a better business case for a Wing Stop at a distance from campus but closer to the regional hospital.  A Northern Star poll, probably not regionally representative, identified fans of Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan, and Spicy Korean BBQ seasoned wings.  Student reporters might be forgiven for ignoring anything that happened before they matriculated.  "It’s also the closest Wingstop to NIU!"  I wonder what Corporate told the owners about the adjacent-to-campus storefront, which was vacant until recently.