Algonquin pizza restaurant unexpectedly closes doors

ALGONQUIN – Local restaurant Nero's Pizza and Pub has unexpectedly closed with little explanation.

The restaurant came under scrutiny during a police investigation into the death of a man who jumped into the Fox River after skipping out on a bar tab at the business.

City officials don’t seem to know why Nero’s, formerly at 300 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin, shut down sometime about October, but Algonquin Village President John Schmitt confirmed Friday that the restaurant is no longer in business.

The restaurant announced Sept. 29 on Facebook that it would be temporarily closing because of problems with a gas line in the kitchen. Nero’s never reopened, and later updated its hours on Facebook to “permanently closed.”

The business’ website is not active, and management could not be reached for comment.

Algonquin police had been investigating the death of a Carpentersville man who drowned when two teen boys chased him to the edge of the Fox River after he skipped out on a $68 bar tab at Nero's.

Witnesses at the time of the man’s death had speculated he might have been “overserved” at the restaurant.

Algonquin police could not be reached for comment Friday on whether the business’ closing was related to their investigation.

The restaurant's liquor license was active as of Friday evening, and the Nero's closing was not prompted or enforced by the city, Algonquin Assistant City Manager Mike Kumbera said.

Phone numbers listed for the restaurant’s owner, Fisholee Enterprises, were no longer in operation Friday.