Birches resident revisits the past at his family's former restaurant
For Birches Assisted Living resident Len Price, a trip to Rafferty's Irish Pub in Countryside was anything but an average dining experience. Many years ago, Price's family owned the restaurant, and a trip back there on March 26 was like a trip back in time for Price.
Birches Assisted Living Activities Director Katie Klitchman decided to take residents on a lunch outing to Rafferty's after learning that Price's family used to own the restaurant. Klitchman learned about the Price family's history with the restaurant when Price brought an old restaurant menu to a "Show and Share" session where residents shared their favorite possessions.
"He had the menu hanging on the wall in his room, but I never noticed it," said Klitchman. "When he was sharing the menu with other residents at "Show and Share," he really lit up and I thought how cool it would be for him to go back there."
Price's daughter and son-in-law attended the outing with him, and when they arrived at the restaurant, the current owner Delia Rafferty was there to greet them.
"The new owner was there, and she came in purposely to meet him. That was pretty exciting for him," said Price's daughter Betty Tanzer.
A lot had changed in the restaurant since Price had last been there. The restaurant was not an Irish pub when the Price's owned it, it was a family restaurant called Jack's. Price also said that the restaurant looked bigger than he remembered it, although the building hadn't been expanded. One thing that had changed were the prices; when the Price family owned the restaurant a customer could order a steak, French fries and a drink for a mere $1.75.
Price ran Jack's with his mom, brother and sisters. The family also owned another restaurant in La Grange called Price's Restaurant, but that building is no longer standing. Price's daughter says her father worked mostly in the kitchen, and that he and his mother were the primary cooks for the two establishments.
According to Klitchman, Price enjoyed his afternoon at Rafferty's and the chance to revisit his past. Klitchman was glad she could provide this opportunity for Price to share his accomplishments with his fellow Birches residents.
"It was a neat experience for him to be able to go back to where he had his restaurant originally. I'm sure it didn't look like his restaurant, but I still think he was proud. It's just nice to have it come full circle, with a resident being proud of something and giving us a part of his world," said Klitchman.
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents' physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.