does anyone remember a few weeks ago, mr tollefson said that he wasnt changing anything about the kendall pub? the best place in town to have a sandwich and a few drinks is now going to be gone. i was in there last week - i ordered iced tea, and they didnt have it (DIDNT HAVE ICED TEA????). i ordered my favorite salad, and had it come without two of the ingredients (the waitress said they don't use them anymore), and without the accompanying breadstick (again, the waitress - i dont think we have a breadstick in the place). the kendall pub was hugely popular - why did it need to be changed? mr tollefson's intent is to be lauded. but lets not step all over the toes of the people who have frequented the pub for years just as it is and loved it.

What was the comment? It's not a place to "come and get drunk and party"? That's a sentiment I can applaud. But, it may just be the sentiment that causes the Kendall Grille to have a slow start into profitability. It would be great to see all this change succeed. I just don't see it happening. Not in today's world.

In an era where craft brewing is becoming the rage, the Pub has always had the most complete and best selection of beers. That is one of the features that draws many patrons. I sincerely hope that doesn't change! I am a firm believer in renovation and making additions, but not at the cost of the things that are already working. I hate to see anything at the pub change.

All Yorkville needs is another grill! Kendall Pub is a place where many residents go to for more then getting drunk and partying, and Bridge Street Cafe has been a nice place for families to go and sit down for as long as I can remember. Im not plannimg on going to any of these establishments, and I wonder how much more of the town he plans on buying.

I like the idea and I'm excited about it. Who can really complain about someone spending 8 million to help renovate YOUR town. The Kendal Pub wasn't all that. It's not Wrigley Field or something.

What about the Follies?? The community will miss the live musical theater that comes from the talent and expertise of Don Zellmer and David Kuester! Such a loss for our community! Better hurry up and my tickets! So disappointed!

Jeana, I plan to call Don Zellmer today to see what's next for his group.

Such mixed feelings on this one. I mean...did he really say that about Kendall Pub? We've had sports teams meetings, I've had other coaches from other organizations come there for a beer, or "Pub" food....and you labeled that as "It's not a place to come and get drunk and party," . Such a shame, and such a slap to the former owners of The Kendall Pub, and such a slap to all of the FORMER patrons of this place who ever went there for a cold beer after being on the river kayaking, after a big win, or even a date with the wife to go somewhere friendly and listen to local music, enjoy a plate of PUB food, and a beer! I think I will be staying on the other side of the river now.

Well, Im not complaining. Anything is great. Im sure the Bridge street owners werent forced out by some crazed developer. Seriously, I cant imagine how much complaining about this there would be if he wasnt a yorkville native! More power to him. As a side note, we just went to cobblestone for dinner last week, and we eat out 4-5 times a week. It was fabulous. If more like this is to come - excellent! I dont know why we waited to eat there. There needs to be stores to go into along the street... Not general businesses. As a south of towner, I like to not have to cross the river if possible. Or leave town to eat . Looking forward to it!

My husband and I had dinner at Cobblestone last night and it was fantastic. Great food, great service and we love what they have done to the building. New businesses in downtown Yorkville should be welcomed by all.

Personally I think if Mr. Tollefson can turn the downtown Yorkvile area around can only be a great thing! Bridge Street Cafe was once the place to go, I'm sure over the years that changed. People just forgot it was there. I agree that Kendall Pub isn't just a place to party and get drunk. To be honest, that is the place my friends and I would go if we wanted to just have a few drinks and talk. I don't like the fact that "Kendall Pub" changed to "Kendall Grill" hopefully nothing else will change much. I think what Rick is doing is great it will be nice to support Yorkville instead of driving to Naperville/Oswego all the time for different food and entertainment. We need to support our community!!!!

I applaud this hometown boy for coming back to Yorkville and using his money, expertise and passion to help renovate our dying downtown. It has so much potential and I am so happy that Mr. Tollefson realizes this and has a vision to make it better.
That being said I would recommend caution when having one person or set of investors having such a large interest in this area. The thing that makes historic downtowns interesting is the mix of independent local businesses and services. Each owner brings his own product, vision and uniqueness to their business inside and out. My hope is that Mr. Tollefson’s success will bring in interest from other individuals or developers to bring their ideas and money here. Yorkville residents want to enjoy its downtown and not have to go to Geneva or Naperville to get that experience.
I hope our City leaders are looking at this as what is best for the long term of downtown Yorkville and not just $$ in their pocket today.
Is he purchasing the property on Hydraulic by Casa Santiago? If so, what are his plans there?

I always thought a train themed restaurant would be perfect in the building on the south east corner of Hydraulic and Bridge Street.

Why are people still complaining about changes made to the Pub? This is much bigger than just a a small town bar. This is a whole downtown area and the future of a whole town. Change is a good thing and should not be feared. If sitting in a bar is your thing, and the downtown flourishes, you will have several NICER places to choose from that serve alcohol where you may become a "regular".

So what if one wealthy person is putting this in to motion? Once the downtown is made into an appealing destination, then more individual businesses will be able to open up and become successful. A more appealing downtown means Yorkville is a more appealing place to live. This benefits everyone!

Leveraged capital--it's important to point out that there's a lot of borrowed money involved in this development. Developer corps can abandon or walk away legally at many points along the way, while city taxpayers are liable for the bond no matter what happens. The developers have negotiated a very generous 25% profit gurantee, the highest TIF margin I've ever heard of, plus whatever revenues and tax advantages from the properties themselves--none of which can ever be applied toward the city liability in case of developer default, or if revenues fail to accrue, as the property will not have a city lien as the deal is structured. Typically, TIF's have provided less than a 20% margin (most around 10%) for the developers. I find it curious that this group have moved faster and more successfully than other interested parties that seem to have been stalled and stymied, or have walked away for obscure reasons. No business model or financial outlook I have studied suggests that this plan is likely to produce enough tax revenue in the next 5 years over and above the (max possible) $500,000 to be returned to the developer. The developers will manage their side using tax and bookkeeping strategies involving assets, depreciation, expenses, capital losses, etc., to manage risk, while taxpayers will simply have to pray for property tax revenue. Was this a "blighted" area, or would the development not happen "but for" the TIF? I think not...another sweet deal? I think so...

I should mention I do not have a problem with these developers, as they seem to be shrewd, smart, and successful business people. They saw an opportunity and acted. However, I don't favor TIF setups, or the way Yorkville seems to stumble from one poor choice to the next with nary a hitch in their gitalong.

It's an HGTV-style Community Crusader ala Hometown Renovation...not a bad thing. Change can be good. As a newer resident of Yorkville (since 2006) I think it would be great to make Yorkville "the envy of our neighbors". Bring it. I'll be here for a while since my 2 properties are upside down. :)

Anyone remember Mr. Tollefson and his sports memorabilia business in Oswego???
Hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Why more food places? You can only go to so many times.

I applaud him for coming home, and sharing his vision and plans to assist jumpstarting the downtown area! Pehaps, for the ones that aren't too sure of what things "COULD" be like....take a walk down there; currently it's pretty dismal. Hometown guy that has the capital to put something back into this town......Go for it!

Why don't we just support this man for having the courage to do what so many have talked about. Who cares if he gets TIFF help it was created for a reason. Quick looking for demons and show some support for his vision. Best of luck Rick.

How can we know you if you keep posting anonymously if you have an opinion stand behind it with your real name.

Rick, like you, I am a small business owner, albeit not as successful as you. Small businesses are the engine that keep America humming. They are creating the majority of the jobs - for that we thank you. We live in a community that has one of the highest homeowner tax rates in the nation. This is do to the fact that the homeowner is primarily responsible for our city and county tax base. I commend you for helping us change that and wish you much success in your endeavors. There is really only one word for those that write in to a forum and are afraid to put their name behind their comments, coward.

Well said Fred

Audity, did you give this same degree of Q&A to Cobblestone, or the ice cream shop, or the coffee shop down on the river? I guess I don't get what's the point you are trying to drive here? You can call yourself Audity, Batman or whatever...don't care. I just think, this whole forum would be a lot more productive if it had remained positive and try and promote growth downtown. Other than the Pub, I'm not seeing much foot traffic for residents or visitors to spend money...which of course is good for all of our taxes. What's you solution? I'm interested in what you have to offer in regards to promoting economic growth downtown?

I'd like to have dinner with Mr. Tollefson at the Kendall Pub/Grille. My family has gone to the KP for years. Our kids were young (around age eight) to age 16. The KP has been a very enjoyable place. We sit up front by the windows in front, and when we are done eating, our kids go and play some Golden Tee or play bags. I'm sure we will miss that, but I guess that's whats going to happen.. OR, you could split the Follies Theater into two, one half for Cobblestone, and the other half for Kendall Grille. What I mean by this is that The KP will remain the KP, and the other half of Follies will be Kendall Grille. Just a suggestion...

Few places around like Kendall County have so many residents that think it is their business what everyone else is doing.

Just because some say that they 'pay taxes' doesn't mean anyone cares about their opinion on business owners, nor should they for that matter. These same people who 'pay taxes' sure aren't rushing to make their own public tax information a topic of discussion by posting it online. They are seemingly unwilling to subject themselves to the same criticisms and judgements that they so freely levy upon others.

I have to admit, I'm having a little bit of trouble following this comment thread, so I am having some trouble determining if there are some misconceptions.

But, in case this needed clarifying: Boombah is not located within a TIF district. Cobblestone and the other properties involved with the incentive package are in Yorkville downtown TIF district. The downtown TIF district is separate from the Countryside TIF district; the city has not sold bonds for any projects within the downtown TIF district.

"It's not a place to get drunk and party". Is that why they were out of Corona Light on Saturday? Bring the bags back Boombah!

We went there for dinner on Sunday night. We were the only people in the place. I wish them the best but think they should listen to the customers.

Not that it's really important, but it bothers me when there are misstatements. Tollefson is not a Yorkville native. His family is from Plattville, and he currently resides in unincorporated Newark.