Former Teddy O’s owner gathers community support in hopes of reopening local tavern

For many locals, Teddy O’ Brian’s was more than a neighborhood tavern, and they are now rallying to bring the business back.

Seven months after the Highwood tavern — affectionately called Teddy O’s — closed, the man who previously ran the establishment for more than two decades is asking the City Council for another chance, and he is equipped with a petition that drew 1,401 signatures in one week.

That man is Ted Banick, co-owner of Teddy O’s from 1999-2021, who came to the Highwood City Council in May for the second straight month to pitch the reopening of Teddy O’s under his management. 

This time, Banick submitted the online petition in support of the reopening.

Teddy O’s, 432 Sheridan Road in Highwood, was a laid-back sports bar with a full drink and food menu, live music, and games, such as bean bags, darts and pool. You’d often find a couple hundred people on any given Friday or Saturday night, Banick said. 

Banick’s former partner, Brian Carman, sold Teddy O’s in 2021 to two property managers and kept managing the other Teddy O’s location in Mundelein.

According to Banick, the new owners “didn’t do a good job running the business,” and Teddy O’s closed in October 2025 “dealing with some issues from the city.”

Those issues included “a fight with a liquor license at this location” and “being unable to meet with the property manager despite multiple attempts,” Highwood City Manager Scott Coren said at the May 19 City Council meeting. 

Although the issues are still relevant, Highwood officials met with Banick to consider his proposal. 

“We are happy to continue to meet [with Banick], and we agree that this location is perfect for a bar, restaurant and live music,” Coren said at the end of the May 19 meeting. “Firstly, we need to direct our concerns and try to work with our issues with the property owner. But I think we can continue to work to get this location back open, we just need some good faith collaboration on both ends.” 

The effort is meaningful to Banick, who said Teddy O’s was a “hub” for the area.

“[Teddy O’s] was more than just a place to enjoy a drink; it was a hub for social gatherings, community events, lasting friendships and the best live music in the northern suburbs,” Banick wrote in his petition. “It was a place where locals felt at home and visitors were always welcomed with open arms.” 

Banick was “impressed” by the number of signatures his petition received and said people “definitely” want Teddy O’s to return. 

Approximately 30 community members were in attendance at the May 19 meeting, with 10 of them speaking up in support of the reopening. 

“Places like Teddy O’s are more than just taverns, they are gathering places where community happens and memories are made,” Danny Dordy, of Highwood, said on May 19. “I have faith in Teddy and I truly can’t imagine better hands for a neighborhood tavern to be in.” 

Dordy added, “I hope you consider the positive impact this tavern has had on so many residents over the years.” 

Teddy O’s was Jim Burns’ spot and he expressed confidence Banik can restore it to its best days.

“I knew Teddy since he first welcomed me into the bar 20 years ago, and I’ve been there hundreds of times since. It was my neighborhood tavern and has become the place I go where people know my name,” Burns said. “Hundreds of music lovers used to come from all over the Chicago area to Highwood because of Teddy O’s.” 

He added, “Teddy can be trusted to run a steady, safe establishment. He’s done it before and he can do it again.” 

To Banick, the tavern is his “identity.” If everything goes well, Banick thinks he can reopen by or on the Fourth of July. 

“People are going to go bonkers for its reopening,” Banick said. “I never thought of a bar that means a lot to a lot of people, but this is kind of their home away from home. I think it will be a really successful reopening.” 

Banick’s favorite memory from Teddy O’s original run was when one of the band members of Umphrey’s McGee played an acoustic show on a Sunday afternoon in the late 2010s. 

“The sun came out and it was awesome,” Banick said. “It was one of the coolest days.” 

When asked if Banick is hopeful that he will get the city’s approval this time, he thinks it up to “community support” and “breaking through to the city and get them to start working with himself and the landlord,” he said. 

So far, Banick said the dialogue between him and the City Council has been lacking, saying lots of emails have gone unanswered. Banick plans to meet with the council again on June 2. 

The community can continue to show its support for Teddy O’s by signing the online petition and reaching out to Highwood City Council members.

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