The phrase that best fits the new Arthouse restaurant, soon to open in the Aurora Arts Center suite location previously occupied by Stolp Island Social, is learning from experience.
Jonathan Hylton, chairman of the Aurora Civic Center Authority Board, which oversees the restaurant suite, said this week that board members decided to go in a different direction when deciding how to fill the vacancy.
Patrons surveyed by the Civic Center Authority were asked what they would like to see in a new restaurant, and the consensus was they did not want the traditional higher-end steakhouse type of place that Stolp Island Social had been, Hylton said.
“We tried to stick with what our patrons wanted,” he said. “We hope this is something different. I think it will fit in well.”
Board members also decided they wanted a restaurateur with a track record of past successes who would operate the business on a full-time basis, regardless of whether a show was being held downtown or not, he said.
Arthouse, at 5 E. Galena Blvd., takes its inspiration from the Paramount Theatre, which is located next door, restaurant owner and operator Chad Gravenites said.
“We’re trying to play into the Paramount, featuring music, film, art,” he said.
As such, the entrance area will feature records on the wall, and as one moves into the main dining area, there will be a projector playing silent movies.
And while the timing of the opening is synced to the Paramount opening of “Frozen” on Oct. 30, Gravenites made it clear his restaurant is much more than a showtime operation.
One of the criticisms of Stolp Island Social was that it was not open enough, often time only when shows were on – in part because of the coronavirus pandemic, but also in part because it was slow when there was no show.
Arthouse will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and until midnight on weekends, available for people before and after shows, but other times as well.
Gravenites fits the mold of other young restaurateurs in downtown Aurora who see the future of a downtown where people will come even without a show. The restaurants might be packed on show nights, but they will create a sense of destination in and of themselves.
It’s something others have said – Roberto Avila, owner of Altiro at Galena and Stolp, and Amore Mio, on West New York Street, as well as Bernie Laskowski, owner of Craft Urban, at Stolp and Downer Place.
“The goal is to bring something to Aurora; you will not recognize this downtown in two years,” Gravenites said.
Arthouse is described by both Gravenites and Hylton as “upscale casual,” and Gravenites told City Council members this week the menu will feature six burgers, five entrees and an array of sandwiches. It’s similar to menus of successful area restaurants Gravenites is a partner in – Barrel and Rye and Burger Local in Geneva, and The Goat in downtown Batavia.
“What we tried to do was find somebody who had success with upscale casual,” Hylton said.
Gravenites told aldermen the burgers would likely be priced in the $14 to $16 range.
“We’re looking to keep the menu pretty affordable for anybody who’s going to come in there,” he said.
The City Council this week unanimously approved creating a Class D Downtown Core liquor license for the restaurant.
While Gravenites said he wants to create a place where it will be “comfortable to hang out,” aldermen said they hope the restaurant will be welcoming to families. This is particularly important for a show like “Frozen,” the Paramount holiday feature that will bring many children downtown.
Gravenites said there will be a kids menu that will feature something that has been successful elsewhere – a kids charcuterie board.
“It feels like a family-friendly place,” said Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward.
slord@tribpub.com
