Mundelein's Journey's End restaurant closing

Customers looking to warm up with a bowl of homemade soup this winter will not be able to head to Journey's End in Mundelein.

The long established restaurant with its nautical theme will serve its last kettle of soup Sunday when it closes its doors for the last time.

The owners of 33-year-old business are having an emotional time saying goodbye to customers and employees, many who have been with the them for more than 20 years. "It's a difficult situation and hard to go through," said co-owner George Orfanos, 72.

The Mundelein resident said he has an agreement with a major drugstore chain that wants to build on the busy corner of Routes 45 and 83. He did not want to give details about the plan that's pending village approval. Orfanos plans to lease the land.

The Annex, the bar that's attached to the restaurant, will continue to operate through February and then will also close. "The Annex will be open through at least the Super Bowl," said co-owner Greg DiPiero.

DiPiero, 52, found it difficult to talk about closing. He said business is strong at the eatery where the trademark is unlimited servings of homemade soup.

"It's not like it's losing money," he said. "The offer was just too good to pass up," he said.

"Looking at the cost to do business today and the economy, I felt it was time for us not to pass up the opportunity," said Orfanos, who immigrated from Greece at 19. His brother, Harry, 70, also owns a part in the restaurant.

The owners also own Greg's Frozen Custard just north of Journey's End.

Orfanos once operated Tarney's fine dining restaurant in the place where Journey's End now sits. In 1970, he also owned and built the neighboring Holiday Inn, now a Crowne Plaza Hotel, selling his part in 1978.

Obviously, Orfanos is not the type to sit back and do nothing.

"Who knows what will be next. I'm not a stay at home type person," said the businessman who has visions of future business ventures.