Tough economy forces Rex's Cork and Fork to close

Back in the days when the Hula Hoop was young, Rex's Drive-In was the place to be on what was then the eastern frontier of St. Charles.

The institution eventually changed ownership and evolved into Rex's Cork and Fork, a lounge, and then an upscale eatery.

But this week the restaurant finally met up with a change in the times it couldn't keep up with and officially closed Tuesday.

"Business was always good until last fall," said co-owner Darlene Kaatz. "By about mid-February, business went off the cliff."

First companies stopped booking holiday parties, Kaatz said. Then a snowy winter resulted in large parties getting canceled at the last minute. And more recently there have been days when only three customers would come in during the lunch hour.

"It's just heartbreaking," Kaatz said. "We're victims of the economy."

The restaurant is where Kaatz met her husband, Mike. He has logged more than 44 years with the establishment, first as an employee, then as an owner. The original owner, Rex Morrison, only recently passed away, but his family still lives in the area.

"A lot of us grew up with it, and we have very fond memories of Rex's Drive-In and as the Cork and Fork," said David Richards, executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and a city alderman. "It's unfortunately a sign of the times, not just here, but elsewhere. Dining out is one of those expenses that people can cut back on."

Richards says many restaurants in town are doing "pretty well" but not "very well" in these economic times.

"They are all hanging in there, but we need the economy to turn around sooner rather than later," Richards said. "Rex's was iconic. They will be sorely missed."

The restaurant officially closed to the public Tuesday night. It will host a Rotary Club function Thursday night, then lock the doors for good.