‘All-day hangout’ Lucky Jackson’s is ready for you in Wilmette

As part of downtown Wilmette’s revived entertainment and dining scene, there’s a new name in town.

Sort of.

Meet Lucky Jackson’s, an all-day lounge at 1141-A Central Ave. that prioritizes simplicity and warmth in everything from the ambiance to the cocktails to the music.

Its proprietor, however, needs no such introduction. Chris Karabas and his wife Margie have brought Lucky Jackson’s to life, just as they did with The Rock House coffeehouse and music school just down the street (1150 Central) in the 2010s. A lifelong musician, Karabas also regularly plays Wilmette’s Village Hall Green, The Wilmette Theatre and other local venues.

Since the 2018 closing of The Rock House, the Karabases have often fielded questions about when they would bring another concept to downtown Wilmette. That time has come.

“I finally got to a point where I had an idea that I felt would benefit the town,” Chris Karabas said. “Just another restaurant or cocktail lounge felt sort of predictable. My idea was to bring some authenticity.

“What this town could really benefit from was something that had The Rock House feel and felt like someone’s home rather than someone’s restaurant … and could be an all-day hangout.”

In partnership with Valley Lodge Tavern, Lucky Jackson’s — named after Elvis Presley’s character in “Viva Las Vegas” as well as Karabas’ former band — is occupying the former private room at Valley Lodge and is sharing bar and kitchen resources with the Wilmette restaurant.

The space most recently housed FoodHaul, a business that offers prepared meals from renowned chefs. FoodHaul is still available online with pickup through Valley Lodge’s primary space.

Lucky Jackson’s is open much of the day, or as Karabas put it, “9 a.m., until the town goes to sleep.” It plans to jump-start things with coffee and pastries in the morning, serve select sandwiches and more for lunch and dinner, and then celebrate with the community in the evening with “cocktails that are as good as the music.”

Inside the 400-square-foot space, Lucky Jackson’s is adorned with both stylish sconces and holiday string lights. A starburst chandelier is the centerpiece, casting warm light over six high-top tables, each hugged by two or three black, clam-shell-style chairs.

If it’s giving DIY vibes, then you’re starting to get it.

“Lucky Jackson’s is basically if you could take the basement of my house and bring it into downtown Wilmette,” Karabas said with a smile. “I wanted to make this place feel like … a room in somebody’s house in the early 1960s.

“Restaurant designers’ mission is to try to fit as many seats as possible and every (place) sort of feels the same. I wanted to avoid that homogenized look. Margie and I picked out everything.”

In the space’s rear, a modest bartop acts as the point of sale where guests can view the wall-hung letterboard with the drink options: Hamms, Coors LT, High Life, Peroni and Wango Tango IPA are available in bottles or cans. Other options, such as wines and cocktails, are listed too.

Also in the back area, a turntable turns out the place’s soundtrack via Karabas’ extensive collection; though, he admits he regularly pivots to streaming playlists to avoid any pauses in the good times.

Karabas said he won’t hesitate to push a table or two aside to accommodate dancing or, eventually, live music.

Lucky Jackson’s has enjoyed a soft opening since New Year’s Eve, but make sure to visit its Instagram page as Karabas and company provide updates to hours of operation and more.

As for attracting customers, Karabas has an “if you build it, they will come” mindset — something he’s learned along the way.

“Rather than trying to please everybody, we’re filling the place with what we love and hoping the audience finds us,” he said. “It’s the oldest business plan in the world: great drinks and music.

“I’m confident we created what we set out to do … with pure authenticity and love for the community. Our hope is people will like it and wish it was a bigger place.”

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