HUNTLEY – Early in October, Huntley lost one of its trademark restaurants, when Niko’s Grill & Pub closed its doors.
“We’ve been struggling there for about 10 months,” said former Niko’s Grill & Pub owner Niko Kanakaris.
Despite offering $9.99 and $10.99 dinner specials meant to increase customer flow and bring new diners in, Niko’s couldn’t keep up with increased expenses due to the poor economy.
In early October, after eight years, Niko’s Grill & Pub closed its doors due to the poor economy. Owner Niko Kanakaris says it’s a personal loss but looks to the new Niko’s Lodge opening early December in Algonquin Commons. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
“There just wasn’t enough volume to support the debt,” Kanakaris said. “We were holding out the same amount of volume we were doing before.”
Kanakaris points to the poor economy also for the decreased business Niko’s experienced for the last few years.
“People who used to go out two or three times a week ended up going out once a week,” Kanakaris explained. “You can’t blame anyone. Everyone is watching out, watching their spending. It hurts.”
A Huntley resident of 25 years and Village Trustee, Kanakaris’ reaction to closing what he considered his home-base restaurant was both personal and sad.
“This is my town. I grew up here,” Kanakaris said. “Then again, we can’t drain the other restaurants. You can only drain the other restaurants for so long before it starts affecting the other locations we have. So we just had to make a business decision.”
Kanakaris also owns and operates several other area restaurants, which include Pinecrest Restaurant & Banquets in Huntley, Red Mill Tavern in Woodstock, Thirsty Whale Bar & Grill in Algonquin, Papa G’s in Elburn, and in Wasco IL off Route 64, Niko’s Lodge, which Kanakaris is soon opening in the former Barley House location in Algonquin Commons.
“It’s a good area,” Kanakaris said, “and we got a great deal on the rent. Those factors will help us get going through the down economy.”
Kanakaris expects to open Niko’s Lodge doors as early as the first or second week in December. Diners of the new Niko’s Lodge will find regular items off the Niko’s Gill & Pub menu (steaks, seafood, and pasta) but will also enjoy featured items customary to Niko’s Lodge such as wood-roasted rotisserie chicken and rib entrees.
Before opening, Kanakaris said, the former Barley House location must undergo major renovations to meet the stone, pine, and warm ambiance of Niko’s Lodge, which also features 70+ chickens turning and roasting upon guest entrance.
Niko’s Lodge will only be open for dinner starting at 4 p.m., which Kanakaris said will help in balancing restaurant operation expenses because they will only have the overhead of one shift.
At the time of Niko’s Grill & Pub’s closing, Kanakaris said that they had 40 holiday parties already booked but were able to accommodate all but one at Pinecrest and other locations.
“We booked them right away at other locations, so we didn’t inconvenience anybody,” Kanakaris said.
Furthermore, Kanakaris said, any Niko’s Grill & Pub gift certificates will be accepted at any of the locations (listed above).
Personally, Kanakaris said, “I want to thank everyone in Huntley and Sun City for supporting us for eight years. Everybody is great people, great friends.”
Although closed, Kanakaris still owns the Niko’s Grill & Pub property. He’s currently interviewing prospective candidates for the location and promises that who he leases it to will be a “great fit for the community.”
