Bob Sobel purchased Hussey’s Downtown Tavern in 2008 and held a name-the-bar contest that led to changing the moniker to the Green Town Tavern, a nod to the “Green Town” pseudonym legendary author Ray Bradbury, a Waukegan native, used for his hometown in a few of his novels.
More Top Picks Best Balance Ball Chairs For Adults
Going beyond food and drink, Sobol was able to turn the bar and grill into a meeting place for the community. People came after work or traveled from home for the atmosphere developing there. Private parties were held in the second-story banquet room.
“For 16 years, it was a place people met for good food and engaging conversation about what was happening in downtown Waukegan,” Sobol said.
A few years later, Sobol leased land at the lakefront from the Waukegan Port District and opened Green Town on the Rocks as a separate outdoor restaurant, bar and music venue, where waves from Lake Michigan are sometimes heard.
Jordan French moved to Waukegan with his family when he was 8, graduated from Waukegan High School, and went to college earning undergraduate and master’s degrees. For the past 11 years, he was the athletic director and a coach at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan.
French quietly purchased the Green Town Tavern in downtown Waukegan from Sobol on Jan. 1, achieving the goal of owning his own business while Sobol continues to operate Green Town on the Rocks at the lakefront.
“It was an opportunity to sell Green Town to somebody who wanted to be in the business, understood the business and carry on the name of the tavern, which was there for 16 years,” Sobol said.
Around Halloween, French said he started getting to know Sobol. French knew about Green Town and made some visits. As they kept talking, the bartender and the restaurant owner became better acquainted.
“He said he was thinking about getting out of the business, and we started to talk,” French said.
Since waterfront businesses like Green Town on the Rocks operate when the marina is open from April 15 to Oct. 15, Sobol said continuing to own the harborside restaurant, bar and music venue made sense to him.
“I’m not ready to retire yet,” Sobol said, “I really enjoy being down there, and this gives me more time with my family. The lake doesn’t warm up until May or June. If there’s a northeast breeze, it will get cool quickly and affect those businesses.”
Along with a small bar, there is food, a seating area and a large lawn with a stage. People can use the existing seating or bring their own chairs to listen to the music. Bands play there several nights a week.
With plenty of time to acclimate himself to the Green Town Tavern, French said he is adding some things to the menu and developing programs to draw people into the eatery. Each Thursday, there is a bingo game sponsored by a local business. Prizes are provided by the sponsor.
“We have a different small business each week,” French said. “The owner gets a chance to talk about the business. It’s a way to get the community interested.”
Each Friday is Karaoke night. French said a local professional deejay runs it who knows how to get people engaged. The deejay brings the necessary equipment. It is a way for people “to talk and enjoy something different.”
Patrons will not notice many changes in the menu. French said there are a variety of hamburgers, but the monster burger is no longer served. There are now three different wraps. There will soon be a lunch menu with smaller portions and lower prices.
The Green Town Tavern is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, and is closed on Mondays.