Same name, new face coming for Ray's
The sign on the front of Ray's Evergreen Tavern has served as a countdown to its closing date early next year -- and what was thought to be its likely removal from the pages of St. Charles history.
"That sign is actually the countdown to when my lease is up, and I always felt that the property owners would want to bulldoze this place down and get me out of the way," said Bernie Deutsch, who along with his wife, Patty, has operated Ray's Evergreen since 1988. They have been involved with the historic tavern at 1400 W. Main St. since 1983.
But like another historic figure who once proclaimed that news of his death was greatly exaggerated, Ray's Evergreen is ready to make a Mark Twain-like proclamation for a continued life.
The property owners, St. Charles businessmen Peter Lappin and Malcomb Kanute, are planning to keep Ray's Evergreen open as "a nice bar and restaurant with an outdoor deck" after a major renovation and makeover to take place in May, Deutsch announced late last week.
"They informed me that they didn't want to wait until my lease was up and we came to an agreement that within the next two weeks they will start putting a new kitchen in here and an outdoor beer garden deck," Deutsch said. "They are going to make this a very nice place with a dining room and expanded kitchen, but the bar will be in the same place."
Deutsch said the new owners want to keep the historic ambience, but "they have to bring it up to snuff and the place will be stripped down to the walls, cleaned and painted, and everything in here has to go, and there will be a new top on the bar."
To that end, Deutsch said that virtually everything currently in the tavern will be sold next month. "If anyone needs anything for a bar, this will be the place to get it," Deutsch said.
Lappin echoed Deutsch's sentiments about the nostalgic value of Ray's, which has served area residents since 1928 when Gus Van Glabeke purchased the home of Teddy Van Aiken and began illegally selling liquor during Prohibition at the site, then called Gus' Evergreen Tavern.
"This bar has tremendous historical character," Lappin said. "With the new facelift of a patio, restaurant and bar, I think the business can continue to be successful while moving forward."
Ray's Evergreen patrons will see the doors close May 3 with a planned reopening for the new Ray's about 30 days later.
Lappin and Kanute have hired Curt Reese, who has owned Cavanaugh's Restaurant in Chicago for 19 years, as the manager of the new Ray's.
"Curt has tremendous experience, and he will be the one working on the menu and the creation of a nice restaurant/bar with simple cuisine," Lappin said.
The property and building were purchased for $675,000 by Lappin and Kanute a year and a half ago, but bidding for work on the new project is taking place now.
Deutsch said he will remain involved in some capacity. "I'm just pleased that it's going to stay, and I'd be very gracious if asked to help in some capacity."
Ray's Evergreen joins other St. Charles landmarks such as the Hotel Baker and Blue Goose that can boast of 80 years of service to the region.
The Ray's name came in 1948 when Van Glabeke sold the business to Ray Triest. Deutsch took it over from owners Dick Triest, Charlie Altpeter and Jim Cotti.
For years, it served as a favorite watering hole for Moline Malleable employees and families in the nearby "Belgium Town" district along Dean Street.
Many "regulars" got heavily involved in two activities that made Ray's unique in the area: the Belgian bowling game, Rolle Bolle, and pigeon racing were both headquartered there.
Sitting in the middle of the tavern that has been his home away from home for 25 years, Deutsch reflects on what has transpired.
"If these old walls could talk …. I tell you, there'd be some stories," he said.