Gene & Georgetti picks Rosemont for first expansion
The oldest family-owned steakhouse in Chicago is opening a second location — the first time the owners have done so in 75 years — in Rosemont.
Gene & Georgetti is expanding into the suburbs next year with a yet-to-be-named new restaurant and event space at 9421 W. Higgins Road. The existing Rosewood restaurant and banquet hall is expected to close its doors by early January upon the retirement of owner Jim Mandas.
Gene & Georgetti was opened in Chicago's River North neighborhood in 1941 by Gene Michelotti and business partner Alfredo Federighi, who was nicknamed “Georgetti.” Three generations have been involved in ownership and management of the restaurant, and though they've contemplated opening a second location for some time, it wasn't until now that they decided to sign on the dotted line.
A 10-year lease deal for the building, which will be owned by the village of Rosemont, was approved by the village board Wednesday.
The Daily Herald reported in August that Gene & Georgetti's owners were evaluating the possibility of opening a second location once Rosewood closed.
Michelle Durpetti, Gene & Georgetti's marketing and special events manager, said her family has been approached over the past 25 years with offers to open a second location in the suburbs — and even one proposal to open in Las Vegas. They've thought about opening in Rosemont for the past three years, but the timing never felt right, she said, until now.
“Rosemont is a place growing by leaps and bounds the last few years. There's a lot of electricity out there,” said Durpetti, whose grandfather was Gene. “We're smart enough to know we're smart, but we also know when to pay attention to where consumers and customers are going. Rosemont is one of those places.”
The new restaurant will maintain the “old school charm” of the original, as well as the menu, but also have its own identity, Durpetti said.
“When my grandfather opened his restaurant in 1941, he came over from Italy to provide his family a better life. I highly doubt he was looking 75 years in the future. Who really does?” Durpetti said. “We ask ourselves, 'What would Gene do?' He would open a restaurant that was relative to the time, while paying homage to what's gotten us to this point.”
“We want to bring everything people love about Gene & Georgetti in, while also giving that location its own spirit and feel.”
Management of the business will include proprietors Marion and Tony Durpetti, and general manager Richard Ciota, who will be managing partner and oversee operations of both locations.
Michelle Durpetti, who is Tony and Marion's daughter, will likely fold her wedding and event planning business into the new Gene & Georgetti venue. The Rosemont location will be host to social events such as weddings, birthdays, charity galas and corporate meetings.
The village is buying out the remaining 47 years on a 70-year land-lease agreement and the 18,000-square-foot building itself for $5.2 million from JM Realty, which represents Rosewood. The village already owns the property on which the building and banquet facility sits.
Mayor Brad Stephens said the village board agreed to the long-term deal years ago in order to attract a white tablecloth restaurant to town.
He said the village is funding the lease buyout and building purchase partially as a result of the $3.4 million sale of a village-owned strip mall on Higgins in August.
Under terms of the new lease deal approved Wednesday, Gene & Georgetti will get free rent until Aug. 1. Then for the next three years, they will pay a base rent of $360,000, or 5 percent of gross sales, whichever is greater. Starting in the fourth year, Gene & Georgetti will pay 90 percent of the average actual rent paid during the first three years.
The agreement includes the option for two five-year extensions.
Gene & Georgetti will be able to move in Feb. 1. After renovations, the owners expect to be open in the spring or midsummer by the latest.