Stick a fork in Guildhall streetery following this season

It is last call for a popular outdoor dining venue in downtown Glencoe.

The pandemic-era “streetery” at Guildhall, which opened in October 2022, is enjoying its final season and will be taken down at the end of September.

Village President Howard Roin provided an update on the streetery during the Glencoe Village Board’s regular meeting on Thursday, July 17, addressing feedback that he, trustees and the village manager have been receiving over the past few weeks.

As previously reported by The Record, the streetery at Guildhall, 694 Vernon Ave., is located on the pavement of Vernon Avenue — in the public right-of-way. It provides seating for more than 60 diners and is climate-controlled, in addition to containing removable side panels for use year-round.

Prior to that, according to Roin, Guildhall had “greenhouses” that were used for outdoor dining.

“Guildhall’s understanding with the village at all times was that the structures — first greenhouses, then the streetery — would be temporary and would be removed when the pandemic restrictions receded,” Roin said.

Originally, the streetery was set to be taken down in fall of 2024, but Roin said that the village granted Guildhall’s request for one more season of the streetery, as the restaurant hoped to recoup its investment in the large structure.

With its impending removal, Roin said the village has received many requests from Guildhall’s patrons to keep the streetery open; however, he added that there have also been concerns about the impact the streetery is having on the downtown business district, which Roin referred to as “uptown” Glencoe.

“We understand that some of our residents and some of the patrons of Guildhall are fond of the streetery,” he said. “But as the pandemic receded and times have changed, we’ve also continued to hear from residents and others who dislike the streetery for a variety of reasons — its appearance, its crowding of the Vernon Avenue sidewalk, the loss of parking spaces, and its overall impact on our small uptown business district.”

He added that the streetery’s removal should not be taken as a sign that Glencoe does not support outdoor dining.

“To the contrary, following the issuance of the final permit for this year’s streetery, the village retained a firm that is working with a consultant, our business community and our residents to improve the streetscape of uptown Glencoe and to improve the parking in uptown Glencoe,” he said.

Roin encouraged residents, nonresidents and businesses to share their feedback on any potential streetscape redevelopment. He said anyone who wants to make a comment should do so on the village’s website.

“The plan for Guildhall has been in place for a long time,” Roin said. “We’re moving forward, and I hope that we can improve our uptown streetscape and parking as we move forward.”

Guildhall has the streetery listed for sale on site with a sign directing interested parties to email gerry@guildhallrestaurant.com.

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