Duke’s Northwoods to open next to The Graceful Ordinary restaurant

A Wisconsin style supper club called Duke’s Northwoods has been given the green light to open in downtown St. Charles.

At the St. Charles City Council meeting March 7, alderpersons unanimously approved a liquor license application and a 2 a.m. late night permit for Duke’s Northwoods, 7 E. Main St., in downtown St. Charles next to the newly opened The Graceful Ordinary restaurant.

This was the first time 3rd Ward Alderman Paul Lencioni was able to vote on an alcohol related item since being elected to the St. Charles City Council in April 2021. Lencioni was president and CEO of Blue Goose Market in St. Charles, which closed its doors March 6 after being in business for more than 90 years.

Lencioni had liquor licenses through the city and state because Blue Goose sold alcohol. A state statute prevented him from voting on alcohol-related items.

At the March 7 meeting, Lencioni announced he had surrendered both liquor licenses.

“Up to this point, I had a statutory conflict from voting or participating in a conversation about liquor licenses,” he said. “I no longer have that.”

The owner of Flagship on the Fox sports bar in downtown St. Charles is opening Duke’s Northwoods, which will be in the space formerly occupied by Button Man printing.

The space is next to The Graceful Ordinary restaurant, which opened its doors in November. The Graceful Ordinary restaurant is located in the former BMO Harris Bank building in downtown St. Charles. The building is owned by Frontier Development, which also owns the building that houses Flagship on the Fox sports bar and Pollyanna Brewing Co. in downtown St. Charles. Frontier Development also owns the Arcada building, which houses the Arcada Theatre and Club Arcada.

Steve Mayer opened Flagship on the Fox in 2019. One of his partners in the venture is Jarrett Payton, a sports anchor for WGN-TV and the son of the late Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.

Jarrett Payton, who lives in Campton Hills, also is a partner in the Duke’s Northwoods venture.

Duke’s Northwoods plans to open on Mother’s Day weekend in May.

“Duke’s Northwoods will bring its own feel to the area, offering unique cuisine, a comfortable atmosphere and a great sports experience,” Mayer said in his business plan.

The restaurant will seat a maximum of 130 people. As proposed, the restaurant would be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The menu will feature burgers, as well as other items such as liver and onions, steak, fish ‘n’ chips and a bratwurst platter. A brunch would be offered Saturday and Sunday.

Mayer said the restaurant intends to become a leader in the community by employing developmentally disabled individuals and hosting charity events.