La Grange Restaurant 'Part Of Our Identity'

LA GRANGE, IL – Palmer Place Restaurant and Biergarten has changed hands, but it remains.

And its former owners, Steve and Phil Palmer, are still in town.

On Tuesday, the Village Board adopted a resolution honoring the Palmers.

The restaurant opened in 1983.

Officials not only praised the restaurant, but also the Palmers' volunteer work for groups such as Helping Hands, the BEDS homeless shelter and the La Grange Business Association.

Village President Mark Kuchler was among those complimenting the brothers.

"It's really been a mainstay of the village. When you mention you live in La Grange, one of the first things they say is, 'Oh, that's so lucky you get to go to Palmer Place quite regularly,'" Kuchler said. "It's really a part of our identity."

Trustee Michael Koytnek described a lifelong love of Palmer Place.

"I've enjoyed Palmer's over different phases of my life," he said. "Many, many years ago, I used to go there as a single guy. Many years after that, I went there as a married guy with my wife. And now I take my kids there. It's a restaurant that fits for all those purposes. I think that's why you have such a great customer base."

Trustee Beth Augustine shared the same storyline as Kotynek.

"Coming there as a single person, underage, you guys never let me have a beer. You knew me. I would have a burger and watch a lot of Bulls games," she said.

Kuchler recalled joining the village's liquor commission years ago.

"I had friends, neighbors and strangers come up to me and say, 'I heard that we don't have any other bars and restaurants in town because Palmer wouldn't allow them,'" Kuchler said, adding they never identified which Palmer.

But he said the truth was the opposite. He said the Palmers would provide advice for those interested in starting restaurants and bars in town.

Phil Palmer, a former Lyons Township High School board member, said he was thankful for his parents starting the business.

"It's a community. We live here. We love the place too," he said.

Steve Palmer said the sale of the restaurant was over and that he was proud the new owners kept the name.

"That meant a lot. So having our name on La Grange Road means we're still going to be fighting very hard for the village of La Grange and for Palmer Place Restaurant, as that legacy continues," he said.

The new owners are David and Leslie Tarman. They also own The Silo Restaurant in Lake Bluff, which is in Lake County.