Show-Me's opens in Naperville

Naperville's most controversial new restaurant and bar introduced itself to the city in grand fashion Friday night.

Nearly 200 friends, family, vendors and neighbors Friday night to a special invitation-only VIP opening of the new Show-Me's at 1126 E. Ogden Ave., where they all ate and drank for free from 6 to 9 p.m.

“We're thrilled to death to finally be open and show the community what we're about,” Franchise President Ron Cote said. “This is the first night and I hope to see all of our neighbors come in tonight or any night to say hi and see what we're all about.”

Since announcing it's intent to come to the city in October, Show-Me's has been subject to a small. organized protest and residents lining up at liquor commission and city council meetings attempting to keep the St. Louis-based franchise from settling in Naperville.

Opponents said they feared the establishment with it's skimpy-clothed wait staff and tall beers would tear at the city's moral fiber. Mayor George Pradel said he lost sleep over his decision to issue a liquor license to the establishment last month because of their concerns.

In response to concerns raised by neighbors, several restrictions were imposed on the liquor license issued to Show-Me's, including a mandatory midnight closing each day and a requirement that servers wear a “full T-shirt and shorts with a cuff.”

Neighbor Holly Dalton, of the 1200 block of Harmony Court, walked to restaurant with her 9 and 12-year-old sons to see what all the fuss was about.

“They said families were welcome so we wanted to come check it out and see if they were true to their word. So far, so good,” she said as both boys gave their approval to their chicken fingers. “But it will definitely be a while before the verdict is out.”

Dalton doubted many of her neighbors would show to dine with her.

“There's still some people with bitter feelings in the neighborhood,” she said. “What are you going to do?”

Aurora residents Dave Weber and Jamie Carlen praised the food and compared the atmosphere to the Hooters restaurant in their city.

“Once it's open a while and people come in and check it out, they'll see it's just a place to have a drink with friends and watch sports,” Weber said. “It may take some time but it will happen and people will come around.”

Show-Me's opens to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday, just in time to show Sunday's Super Bowl on their 40 large-screen televisions.

“We really wanted to be open for the playoffs to give Bears fans a place to go but it didn't happen,” Cote said. “But we're here in time for the Super Bowl and there's nowhere we'd rather be.”

This is the first Show-Me's in the Chicago area but Cote said interest has already been expressed in opening future locations in the suburbs.

The chain also has establishments in Springfield, Carbondale and Fairview Heights.