“They came in and said ‘hey are you for sale?’ I said ‘well, talk to my brother-in-law.’” Obtaining A Class-C Liquor License “We knew since my father-in-law had passed away and the business is owned by a trust now, we knew that it would have to be sold sooner or later somehow,” said Feldott. He made the offer by walking into the tavern a couple months ago and simply asked if he could buy it. Who’s Buying The Lantern?īuying The Lantern from the Feldott family is Mike Lococo, a longtime businessman in the Naperville area, who has lived here for 25 years. Now, 10 years later, a change of ownership has risen. Don’s son, Bill and his wife Teri, took over that year. In 1966, Don Feldott opened The Lantern with his wife Patricia and they ran the bar till 2012. In the coming months, there will be a new owner that takes over the Naperville landmark. The downtown Naperville staple, The Lantern, has been run by the Feldott family since its opening. “But honestly it’s such a relief to know that the person who wants to buy it, doesn’t want to change a thing.” The Lantern is also planning a 50th anniversary bash for later in the summer so watch for details to help them celebrate.“The Lantern Tavern has been in the Feldott family for 57 years and to be honest, it was devastating to realize that that legacy is ending,” said The Lantern’s General Manager, Teri Feldott. It's literally only a couple blocks away. “This place is important to people.” The Lantern has even hosted a few engagement and wedding photo sessions.Ĭonsider stopping in to The Lantern for a burger or sandwhich before heading over to one of Summer Place Theatre's performances this summer. “So many people tell me they met their husband or wife here,” Teri says. Some regulars have been coming in to the tavern for the entire 50 years of the Feldott's ownership. If you stop in for a beer or a bowl of their chili, you will no doubt run into son Bill, daughter-in-law Teri or grand-daughter Kalie. Pat passed on in 2007 and Don has handed over day-to-day management to the next generation. The façade has been updated, too, and the Century Walk mural, “A City in Transit” was painted on the Washington Street wall. The old horseshoe-shaped bar is gone and the back room was enclosed to make room for a few more tables. The Lantern has seen some changes over the past 50 years. With far fewer restaurant options back then, The Lantern was also a popular lunch spot for Bell Labs and Amoco employees during the 1970s. Peter & Paul to eat lunch at the bar counter. The Feldott children grew up at The Lantern, helping sweep the floor before school in the morning and walking back from SS. In 1966, Don and his wife Pat decided to buy The Lantern and started their own 50 year family tradition. On the side, he worked at Marwitz's tavern. Bob then changed the name to The Lantern to reflect the new look.ĭon Feldott was an employee of Moser Lumber and the father of a young family in the early 1960s. After Joe passed on, Bob Marwitz bought the tavern and updated the décor with some antique lanterns. LIke Summer Place Theatre, The Lantern in downtown Naperville is also celebrating a 50th anniversary this year.įirst established by Amanda Webb in 1940 as the Rainbow Café, it was later purchased by Joe and Jenny Fessler. Maybe you watched a game there with friends or stopped in for a bowl of their famous chili on a cold afternoon, but if you've lived any time in Naperville, you probably have been to The Lantern Bar and Grill. Categories: News Another 50 Year Naperville Tradition
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