Batavia restaurant hopes to build out
Jeremy Bertrand isn't calling it a done deal because it isn't.
But he's hoping Batavia city planners eventually like his idea for building a new beer garden at The Range Grill and Tap at Water and Houston streets.
The part owner of the popular restaurant said he and his partner are a couple weeks away from getting plans in shape to present to the plan commission and start moving through the city approval process.
Drawings on the restaurant's Facebook page show an outdoor dining area, a grill station, trellises and overhead lights, a see-through fireplace and an area for bags games. It paints an impressive picture.
That particular corner in Batavia has had a few restaurant tenants, but the feedback about The Range over the past few years has always been positive - especially about the barbecue pork.
Plus, the timing of Bertrand's plan to expand outdoor dining to the area that is now just a few parking places makes sense. With the city currently upgrading Houston Street, the restaurant would be in a position to take advantage of the new look and all that is happening in this particular section of Batavia.
The area draws plenty of people because it offers the riverwalk, bike trails, community band shell, Depot Museum, an appealing fountain, various restaurants, condominiums, townhouses, the Fox River and Depot Pond.
"Right now, I am a little apprehensive because nothing is ever a sure thing," Bertrand said. "Until everything is 100 percent and I see ground broken out there, we can't guarantee it. But I have no reason to think it won't be approved."
The Range has done well, but Bertrand is noticing a dip in business since the Houston Street reconstruction started.
He's encouraging patrons to get to The Range from Water Street during the construction period.
Wasn't the top table
When I spoke to owner Nate Drafall last spring about his Top Table restaurant in St. Charles, he acknowledged the city's new steak house was off to a rough start.
But he hoped the summer would prove to be a turning point for his restaurant that overlooks the Fox River.
It apparently did not. The restaurant has been closed a few weeks now, and who knows what's next for that location, which housed Sage Bistro and Erik and Me in the past.
It seems to be a great spot with plenty of potential, but finding the "can't miss" tenant is easier said than done.
A taffy habit
Here's our latest addiction: My wife and I are buying bags of taffy from Rocket Fizz in St. Charles on a regular basis. When it comes in flavors such as buttered popcorn, root beer float, apple pie and juicy pear, how can one resist? And that's just a few of the many different flavors awaiting us.
We have no problem hunting down our favorites amid the numerous kids doing the same who are likely experiencing an old-fashioned corner store candy shop for the first time.
Latte and the plaza
Adding a Starbucks along the First Street Plaza project sure doesn't hurt any effort to increase foot traffic in that heart of downtown St. Charles. The coffee giant has picked a good spot along First Street, just before the courtyard, which of course will have quite a few people relaxing and sipping on their Starbucks drinks now.
Townhomes on the rise
Shodeen Construction is making pretty good progress on the Seventh Street Terrace Townhomes in Geneva.
The shell of the townhouses is going up at a quick pace, but that's what a string of warm and dry weather can do for you. The workers enjoyed just that at the end of July and into early August.
It should be a nice addition to that street, which almost serves as a gateway of its own into downtown Geneva.
Back to the links
For years, it was a golf outing fundraiser I wouldn't miss. Then when the recession years hit, TriCity Family Services decided to hold off on hosting them for a few years.
Now it is back. The "Tee it Up with TriCity Family Services" outing is set for noon Sept. 28 at Eagle Brook Country Club.
And here's my Homer Simpson "d'oh!" It looks like I might be out of town at that time.
But those who aren't should be in for a good time with the lunch, 18-hole scramble, social hour, dinner, auctions and raffles.
Interested golfers can register at TriCityFamilyServices.org. Registration is limited to the first 100 players.
Windmill's place in time
We have plenty of history around here, that's for sure. It makes it difficult to keep track of just how long something has been with us.
Take the Fabyan Windmill, for example. Did you know that structure is celebrating its centennial?
It's been perched atop its hill in Fabyan Forest Preserve since 1915. The forest preserve has been holding events to celebrate, and continues that theme by collecting items such as photographs, poems and drawings related to the windmill for a 100-year time capsule. Items are being collected at the district headquarters at 1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320, through September.
For your eyes
You can call it another example of this area's love for the arts. The St. Charles Fine Art Show comes first, then the Geneva Arts Festival and now Batavia's Art in Your Eye.
If you haven't been to Art in Your Eye, Sunday is your last chance for this year. It is open until 4 p.m. at the city's riverwalk.
With Houston Street under construction, festivalgoers should look to park near city hall, or along Island Avenue or Water Street.
If you enjoy theater arts a little more than paintings or drawings, the St. Charles Arts Council and park district are planning the ArtsFest St. Charles Sept. 11 to 20.
dheun@sbcglobal.net