Charley Horse Restaurant Closed Feb. 4; Interested Parties Already Lining Up
The Village of New Lenox is fielding questions about potential occupancy.
It's been only four days since the popular Charley Horse Restaurant and Pub closed its doors suddenly on Feb. 4, but already the Village of New Lenox has had inquiries from similar businesses.
Mayor Tim Baldermann, who was caught off-guard by the surprise closure, said Thursday that some people have expressed an interest in the building at 901 E. Lincoln Highway. The first question interested parties want to know about is the process for getting a liquor license. Liquor licenses are not transferable, he added. A fresh application is necessary for each new restaurant that wants to serve alcohol.
The Route 30 construction project, which makes it awkward to find the entrance cut specifically on the main drag, has not seemed to deter interest in the building. It's set back from the busy roadway and features a sizeable outdoor patio and pond.
"My understanding is there are some people that are already in the restaurant business that are interested. However, nobody has come in formally to apply yet."
A year ago at this time, Peter Gelis, the owner of Frankfort's Jameson's Pub, 9545 W. Saint Francis Road, had requested a liquor license from the Village of New Lenox for the Charley Horse location. The intention was to open an eatery called Van Horne's American Grill. Once New Lenox Village officials discovered that no lease agreement had been signed between Gelis and Charley Horse owner Bryan Sord, the item was eliminated from the agenda.
Financial strain forces foreclosure
The Will County Circuit Clerk's website shows that a commercial foreclosure was initiated on Jan. 25 by Marquette Bank against Sord and Charley Horse Restaurant and Bar.
Maria Sord explained in an e-mail that the restaurant has struggled to make ends meet. "As a matter of fact, business has struggled there for a long time and we managed to hang on this long."
Regarding the foreclosure, she said, "The only comment I would like to make is that Marquette Bank has been working with us to resolve the issue of the loan." Both parties, she added, "want to resolve the ASAP."
The closure, with no notice to the community, put stress on some customers who had organized upcoming fundraisers at the restaurant. Rachel Tuley, who was organizing a TEAM Gladieux Benefit this weekend at the restaurant, said she received an email at 1 p.m. Monday that the restaurant was closed. She managed to reschedule the event for 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at the nearby American Legion, 14414 Ford Drive. Because flyers and invitations listing Charley Horse as the location, she had to work fast to update benefit attendees.
Sord noted that previously booked event organizers were offered the use of another of his restaurants, Orland Park's 94 West.Tuley declined.
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In This article
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Village Hall
1 Veterans Pkwy, New Lenox, IL -
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Jameson's Pub
9545 W Saint Francis Rd, Frankfort, IL -
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Tom E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977
14414 Ford Dr, New Lenox, IL
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94 West
15410 S 94th Ave, Orland Park, IL -
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Ann C. Piasecki
Joined Patch Wednesday, November 24, 2010
James Madison
5:57 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
So, Patch, who are the parties? Jameson's is one, obviously, but the article implies others. And how would Baldy know about potential buyers of the building? Those parties would be talking to the bank owner, not the mayor. While Baldy may have been approached regarding a license there, he can't negotiate on the price of the property.
JCM
10:40 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Agreed, The Village of New Lenox has nothing to do with the property. Until the foreclosure is complete which could take years, the property is still owned by the business. At anytime the business could become current with payments and all foreclosure proceedings go away. Its my understanding that the land and business are two seperate entities.
DR- Mokena
5:57 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
I really feel very bad for any owner who has a business along Rt. 30 going through New Lenox, Mokena and Frankfort. The economy is bad enough and then you throw in a construction project of this magnitude that is still not completed and seems like it's taken 5 years to finish.....well you can see how a business will soon run out of operating money. I will miss the Charley Horse, especially on those nice summer evenings out on their patio enjoying some food and drink.
Tom Berry
5:07 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
James Madison remembers getting arrested for DUI after he left the CharleyHorse with his 18 year old boyfriend.
Steve
11:35 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
The construction on 30 is almost over and that should help everyone!
yasmine
10:33 am on Sunday, February 10, 2013
It is nice out today, yet no construction. They are taking their sweet time. What is with the tiny residential-sized curbs? First big snowplow to hit those will destroy them.
Jason
10:35 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Rip Charley Horse, Hope those people dont lose everything they have cause of a bad buisness deal.
Jason
10:59 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
One more comment on this article above. The interested party will most likely be a place like Fridays, or another Corporate restaurant. No bank will give an indpenanat 900 k or whatever they are asking on the foreclosed place above. Especially if it has any kind of defaulted sba loan which it seems like it does because, the car wash and another property were listed as collectarl.. This building will likely be in foreclosure to 2 years. So they can line up all they want. The government wants it money and have the resources to get it. Someone will need a ton of cash to exppedite the cash..And if you had 900k why would you go into the restaurant biz. The days of the 7,000 square foot restaurant are over. To much money to maintain, prop taxes, rising min wage, "thanks blago" gas, electric and too much money to staff a restaurant that big. Bottom line is Charley horse legally signed for a loan, couldnt pay it and now the bank is demanding the money. They will get it cause the laws favors the rich and the greedy. Will take lots of time, but eventually get done . Dont hold your breathe on a new restaurant taking that place anytime in the near future. The Bank dont work that way and wont loan money on a already bad loan twice.
Cheryl Walker
12:07 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Don't beat a dead (Charley) Horse. I guess they couldn't move enough blow out of the well to cover the nut.
Ron Kenning
11:16 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Never knew there were so many financial geniuses reading these articles!