West Dundee salon owners opening farm-to-table restaurant

A salon and a restaurant may be in entirely different industries, but to the operators of Spa Bleu in West Dundee, they embody the same core mission: To provide customers with a positive experience.

Co-owners Tammy Coakley and her mother, Kathy Dwyer, first opened Spa Bleu in the village's downtown area 13 years ago and have since expanded the salon to a second location in South Barrington.

Now, the Bleu Brand is venturing into new territory with a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown West Dundee. The establishment, called bleuroot, is expected to open in early June at 98 W. Main St., said Heather Hazlett, the company's chief operating officer.

"(We) wanted to be able to add value and other experiences to the community," she said. "We're really passionate about guest service at our current business. We're looking to bring that five-star experience to a restaurant here in town."

Hazlett, Coakley and Dwyer had years of restaurant and bar experience before Spa Bleu opened. When the building at First and Main streets became available last year, Hazlett said, Coakley saw an opportunity to jump back into an industry she loved.

Operators are now in the process of partnering with farmers and piecing together their menu, which will include items made with local produce and meat, Hazlett said. At the bar, customers will be able to purchase fresh juice cocktails, as well as beverages from local breweries and wineries.

Bleuroot will be open every day for lunch and dinner, she said, and brunch will be served on weekends. The restaurant also has a room available for private parties.

The Bleu Brand has already signed a lease with property owner Kevin Krak to rent the 98 W. Main St. building, which previously housed Dooley's Irish Ale House. Krak also owns and is renovating the adjacent theater, which is expected to open this year as RocHaus, a live music venue.

Hazlett said the theater and the restaurant will each offer a unique experience for customers.

"We think it'll be a great partnership, not only servicing the community but making it more of a destination," she said. "Being that it's a community that we know really well over the last 13 years, we're excited to be able to share something different."