The Henry is next big item on Plaza del Lago’s menu

Plaza del Lago’s new owners are cooking up another sizzling addition to the signature Sheridan Road shopping center.

A trio of development companies will soon bring a new restaurant to a prominent corner space within the local landmark, according to village documents.

Representatives from Nelsen Partners, Fox Restaurant Concepts and WS Development, the Boston-based developer that owns Plaza del Lago, shared plans for The Henry, a new 6,540-square foot restaurant, during two meetings of Wilmette’s Appearance Review Commission earlier this summer.

The Henry will be located in the stand-alone, one-story building in the northwest corner of the plaza. The space was most recently occupied by John Plunkett Interiors, which relocated to Winnetka, and previously housed Convito Cafe & Market before it moved to its current home in the center.

Planners pitched appearance review commissioners twice on the proposed remodel of the ground-floor space to make way for the full-service restaurant.

The scope of work for the project includes the construction of a new vestibule at the main entrance, new exterior storefront design and materials and the addition of outdoor dining patios with planters, umbrellas and “integrated seating,” per village documents.

Project architects told commissioners that the footprint of the space will stay largely the same, except for the small vestibule addition, which will be roughly 35 square feet and extend three feet out.

Fox Restaurant Concepts is the restaurant group behind The Henry. According to its website, the group operates locations of The Henry in Arizona, California, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. In addition to the new location in Wilmette, Fox Restaurants is also planning to open The Henry in Colorado.

Marji Aron, senior vice president of development and design for Fox Restaurant Concepts, told Wilmette commissioners that the restaurant will feature a “mixed menu” that includes seafood, steak, salads and sandwiches. She described The Henry’s fare as “American cuisine.”

The Henry will also serve breakfast, and the proposed hours as of earlier this summer are 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Representatives also told Wilmette officials that the space is currently slated to accommodate approximately 150-175 guests. That total includes both inside, outside and bar seating.

In response to some concerns from commissioners related to parking, Molly Broomer of WS Development told the board that planners are “very focused on parking,” adding that it’s “at the forefront of our minds and the tenants’ minds.” The Henry reportedly will offer valet parking for its busier times.

During a June session of the appearance review commission, Broomer said WS Development believes The Henry “is going to make an excellent addition to the center.”

In a project narrative submitted to the village of Wilmette, Nelsen Partners representatives said The Henry will “create a gathering space for the community to enjoy local food and drink.”

“The Henry will provide social activity and a unique destination for the village of Wilmette, while still feeling a part of the community,” the statement also says.

The existing structure and stucco finish will remain as-is, officials told commissioners. And an added goal of the project is to also create more “walkability” to and from the restaurant.

Aron said during the first meeting, which occurred in June, that planners are hoping to open The Henry in May of next year

The Henry is the latest in a series of new additions announced for Plaza del Lago. WS Development in late June announced the names of 13 incoming businesses — nine of which had not been leaked publicly and several of which already opened in the center earlier this summer.

Oscar de la Renta, LoveShackFancy, Peter Millar and Hill House Home highlighted the June announcement, and The Record had previously reported brands like Hermés, SPACE 519 and rag & bone.

Plaza del Lago — a historic property that claims to be the second oldest shopping center in the country and features an open-air concept around an indoor galleria — has seen significant changes since WS Development purchased the shopping center in 2022.

Since, longtime local stores Yellowbird Stationery, Hanig’s Footwear, Chantilly Lace, and Giggles and Giraffes/La Colonna jettisoned Plaza del Lago for downtown Wilmette, while Rosati’s Pizza closed its plaza location and Char Crews closed entirely, among other changes.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.