An Oak Park restaurant that shut down last month is apparently in the process of retooling and plans to reopen next month with a new name and concept. Meanwhile the longtime property owner, Chris Kleronomos, appears to be on the way out.
Briejo Restaurant, 211 Harrison St., was shuttered on July 17, announcing its closing on Twitter: “Sad to say tonite was our last night. Went out on top helping a worthy cause. Thanks 2 everyone who supported us over the past 2½ years.”
But contrary to prior reports, the restaurant is not closing for good. Jody Andre, a consultant to the restaurant, said Briejo has been sold to a different owner, whom she declined to name at this time. They’ve shut down the business and are reinventing it as a pub with a casual atmosphere, more TVs, cheaper prices and a larger list of microbrews.
They’re shooting for a mid-September reopening, with a new name and new look. All gift certificates and Groupons will still be honored at the new establishment, according to Andre.
The public seemed to perceive Briejo as a pricey, fine-dining establishment, Andre said, which she doesn’t believe was the case. Regardless, they were unable to shake that perception, and business suffered because of the economy and its effect on fine dining.
They hope an affordable menu and refreshed concept will turn things in the right direction.
“We were doing some great food. We were getting a great response from the neighborhood,” Andre said. “But I think ultimately, with the economic downturn — everyone uses that as an excuse — I think people perceived us as a very upscale and high-priced entity, and we weren’t. We were giving a great value, but once that perception’s out there, you really can’t change it.”
Chicago Community Bank filed to foreclose on the one-story commercial building back in February. The owner, Chris Kleronomos, had taken out a $3.5 million construction loan in 2005, and put up seven different properties as collateral, including 211 Harrison St., according to court records. But he stopped making payments in May 2010.
Kleronomos could not be reached for comment last week, and a spokeswoman for the bank’s law firm, Holland & Knight, declined to comment. But according to court records, a judge appointed a receiver to oversee the property on July 1. (A receiver is typically tasked with keeping up the building, collecting rents and paying bills, until the court determines otherwise.) Andre declined to say whether the foreclosure had anything to do with Briejo closing.
Laura Maychruk — owner of the Buzz Café right around the corner from Briejo, and a longtime critic of Kleronomos — thinks it might be a good thing for the arts district if the property falls into different hands. While Kleronomos has made strides to improve his buildings, she said, they still have remained unoccupied for years.
“I think it would be wonderful if it turned over to someone who managed the property properly and filled the vacancies and maintained the physical structures,” she said.
