Govnor's Pub in Lake in the Hills closes

Govnor's Public House, a Lake in the Hills staple for eight years, is the latest local casualty of the faltering economy.

The Randall Road restaurant and brewery shut its doors Wednesday night, pointing to "the unprecedented financial stresses affecting the U.S. economy and our local business," according to a statement on its Web site.

The fate of the pub's employees was not known, as owner Jim Dziubla did not respond to an e-mail and calls to the business went unanswered.

Village President Ed Plaza frequently visited the pub as a member of the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club.

On Wednesday afternoons, the business let the club meet there for free, he said.

The club was there just this past Wednesday, hours before the pub closed its doors for good.

"We heard something might be coming up; it came quicker than we anticipated," said Plaza, who seven years ago held his swearing-in celebration at the pub. "It came as a little bit of a surprise because of the timing."

Besides offering free meeting space to the Rotary Club, Govnor's Public House also helped sponsor local festivals, including the Rockin' Rotary Ribfest, Plaza said.

When the pub first opened in town eight years ago, its microbrewery aspect was something unique to Lake in the Hills, said Village Administrator Jerry Sagona.

"It really provided some exciting dining for our area," Sagona said. "I feel sorry for the employees and the ownership with respect to what's happened."

Officials learned about the closure Thursday morning.

Plaza was particularly close to the business because he watched it go up with his own eyes.

The pub spared no expense to keep its patrons entertained, offering interactive games, flat-screen televisions and homemade beer, he said.

"It's a sad loss," Plaza said. "I've known Jim since he first walked into village hall with the plans. I remember vividly and the business, as it was, will be missed."