Kenootz Owners Set To Open New Bar And Grill, Deepen Oak Forest Roots

OAK FOREST, IL — Their pizza has been a presence in Oak Forest and surrounding communities for nearly 40 years, and now the Oak Forest couple behind the Kenootz name is ready for a new—and additional—adventure.

Ken and Dee Keeler, who first opened Kenootz in Oak Forest before moving the business to Midlothian, are putting finishing touches on their next business move, a bar and grill set to open in a spot on Cicero Avenue. Cooper's Bar and Grill—dubbed such after the nickname once given to Oak Forest residents—will debut at the end of February at 15158 S. Cicero Ave.

Keeler and his wife purchased the 70-year-old building in 2021, then stripping it down to the studs and starting from scratch.

"It was a bigger job than I thought it was going to be!" Keeler told Patch, laughing. "It's a 1960s building, and we made it the 21st century."

The Oak Forest residents have been eager to bring their business smarts back to where it all started. Kenootz Pizza first opened in a space on Cicero Avenue, on Nov. 3, 1988. It then moved to its current home, 4659 147th St., in Midlothian, but the Keelers kept their ties to Oak Forest strong. He went on to open other locations in Hickory Hills and Homer Glen, but the Midlothian one remained a cornerstone throughout. Their pizza is a staple at Oak Forest and Bremen high schools and town events—their name also well-known on scholarships and other community contributions. They've been hands-on and involved with local communities for decades, Keeler said.

Cooper's, though, will be a slight change of pace for the couple. They've envisioned a sit-down restaurant with a beautiful, long bar—29 feet long, to be exact, with seating for 40-50 people—that serves sandwiches and appetizers. Gaming will also be available. They'll even bring in Kenootz pizza, though it won't be made on-site, Keeler said.

The building also includes two retail spots which will be available, in addition to the bar and grill.

Keeler had offers from several other towns and cities, he said, but his heart is in Oak Forest.

"We had other offers all over, we chose Oak Forest to go into," he said. "Oak Forest is where I wanted to go ... We had Midlothian, Posen, Crestwood, I still stayed in Oak Forest."

The couple's loyalty to the town runs deep, he said, even recalling how Mayor Hank Kuspa stood as best man in their wedding before later becoming mayor.

"We've been a staple in the community and schools for a very long time," Keeler said, of their time in Oak Forest. "Many local people have been employed by Kenootz during the years, and now many of their children are following in their footsteps."

City officials have been working with the couple to find a way to make this particular dream a reality.

"The Oak Forest City Council has been working with us for quite some time, trying to bring us back to Oak Forest," Keeler said in an email to Patch, "and they are very excited about this new business opening up right on Cicero Avenue."

Don't worry, he said, Kenootz Pizza in Midlothian isn't going anywhere. It'll stay up and running. Cooper's gives an opportunity to try something new to cap off decades of success in business.

"I want to end my career in Oak Forest," Keeler said. "Where I started, I’m going to end."

Keeler is looking for staff at Cooper's Bar and Grill. Anyone interested is encouraged to call Kenootz Pizza for more information.