advertisement

New eatery proposed for shuttered space at Elgin golf course

The owner of the Elgin Public House is hoping to operate a second restaurant in Elgin, on the grounds of a city-owned golf course, in about three months.

Grumpy Goat Tavern, which is in The Highlands of Elgin clubhouse at 875 Sports Way, will open in the space of the now-closed Hickory Stick Bar and Grille, owner Greg Shannon said. The new bar and restaurant will have a menu similar to that of the Elgin Public House, but with more of a Creole and Cajun flare, he said.

The city council's committee of the whole will consider moving forward on a lease agreement with Shannon at Wednesday's meeting. Shannon said he hopes to open the restaurant in mid-April.

The space currently accommodates up to 180 people, along with a dining room for events for up to 40 people.

"Right now it's a big, old banquet room, so we'll put in a nice 14-seat bar and make it a nice, welcoming place," said Shannon, of Elgin, who has owned the Elgin Public House with his wife, Lou Gramm, for nine years.

"We want to make sure we're out there taking care of the golfers, because the golfers need a place to go. But we want to get everyone in there with great food and great service. The Highlands is one of the top five public courses in Illinois, so why not have a top restaurant there as well?"

Under the terms of the proposed lease, Shannon will pay the city no rent for the first two years, and one-percent of annual gross revenues in the third year, with an option for an additional three years if successful.

The city also would pay for remodeling the space out of the golf fund, according to City Manager Sean Stegall.

Addison Restaurant Services, who had run the restaurant for seven years, gave its 90 days termination notice in September, effective Dec. 31. The quality of the food service had declined, affecting revenues and deterring golf outing groups from coming back, city officials said.

Stegall said he asked Shannon to throw his hat in the ring when the city issued a request for proposals in October. The city received three proposals, he said.

"We had some great choices, but (Shannon) was the ideal one," Stegall said.

Shannon has worked with White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville, Holiday Inn Hotels, Jimmy's Grille in Naperville and Dave and Buster's in Addison.

One of the proposals came from Joe Carlucci, who is doing "a fantastic job" operating Porter's Pub at the Bowes Creek Country Club, Stegall said. City officials felt it was best to diversify vendors, and Carlucci is helping to get Grumpy Goat Tavern off the ground, he said.

Shannon said he began to consider opening a second restaurant about five years ago.

"We haven't been in the position - monetarily and personnel-wise - until now," he said. "I'm very excited about working with the city and getting this project up and going, and hopefully working together and being able to showcase the golf course and the restaurant."

  A new restaurant, The Grumpy Goat Tavern, is set to open where the Hickory Stick Bar and Grille once was at the Highlands of Elgin golf club. The Elgin City Council's committee of the whole will consider a lease agreement with Greg Shannon, owner of Elgin Public House, at Wednesday's meeting. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.