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New Emmett's Ale House coming to downtown Wheaton

A new Emmett's Ale House will be opening soon in downtown Wheaton, filling a space that has been occupied for years by The Bank restaurant.

Emmett's CEO and Owner Andy Burns said he hopes to see the new restaurant and brewery at 121 West Front Street open by early April.

“We really like the development that's happened in Wheaton over the years as far as dining and entertainment,” he said of the company's decision to open a fourth restaurant in Wheaton.

“We felt that the location is beautiful and it's very similar in appearance to some of our other locations,” he added.

Burns said The Bank's ownership group will hold “a minority interest,” and the current workforce will remain.

“We are going to basically fold the two companies together,” he said. “The plan calls for a short period of some minor renovations and freshening up the space.”

Still, the name will be changed to Emmett's, and the menu will match that of the restaurant's other locations in West Dundee, Palatine and Downers Grove.

Wheaton's Economic Development Director, Jim Kozik, said the The Bank was the first restaurant to move into the building, in 2007. According to The Bank's website, the building was constructed in 1875 and served as the home of the Gary Wheaton Bank.

The city council last week granted Emmett's two liquor licenses — one that is the same as the existing license held by the The Bank to serve liquor, and another so Emmett's can brew beer on site, which Kozik said will be done in a room downstairs that is currently used for private parties.

“It's a nice restaurant,” Kozik said of Emmett's. “I think they'll do great.”

Burns described Emmett's as “casual and community-centered” restaurants that are purposefully placed in downtown historic areas.

The menu includes several handcrafted beers, along with sandwiches, burgers and a variety of entrees that pair well with beer.

“We really like to be looked at as a community center where people can come in and meet,” Burns said, adding that the menu and experience caters to families and business lunches.

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