2 More Restaurants To Close In Downtown Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — Two more restaurants on Lockport Street in downtown Plainfield will close, their owners announced Wednesday night.

Opera House Steak & Seafood and Irish Tyme Pub, both located in the historic circa 1899 Opera House Block Building, announced Thursday they'll close their doors after their final day of service on Jan. 20.

Both restaurants posted similar announcements on Facebook, ones they said "we never dreamt we'd make." Neither gave a reason for its closure.

Mayor John Arougdelis said both restaurants are closing because the Opera House building owner, who restored it to "its former splendor," is listing the property for sale.

"My understanding is he wanted to have no tenancies in there," Argoudelis told Patch. "It was by agreement that the two restaurants agreed to terminate their leases so that the building can be sold as a vacant building ... available to someone who might want to buy it as an open building that they can out their own restaurant in, like an owner-operator."

Opera House has operated in the landmark building at 24027 W. Lockport St. for nine years and Irish Pub Tyme for three years, having opened during the pandemic. Both are owned by Mike and Cassie Vaughn, who also run HopScotch & Vine down the street.

"The past 9 years of service have been incredibly fulfilling, and we have enjoyed celebrating every special occasion within this community," the Opera House message read.

In its letter, Irish Tyme said, "We have been very proud and privileged to operate our Irish Pub in Downtown Plainfield. ... Thank you for supporting us, drinking with us, dancing with us, singing with us, and eating with us these last 3 years. We would've never made it without you all."

Both restaurants thanked their staff with the same two sentences: "It is impossible to put into words the gratitude we hold in our hearts for all of you. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we are not us without you!"

The two restaurants are not the first to close this week. On Monday, passersby and would-be diners stumbled upon a closed Tap House Grill with papered-over windows.

Tap House didn't have financial problems, according to Argoudelis, but rather had to close as part of another agreement between tenant and landlord, who has other restaurant options he's pursuing for the space.

RELATED: Tap House Grill In Plainfield Closes Suddenly, Mayor Confirms

"Nothing had to do with these restaurants not being able to be successful in Plainfield," but rather circumstances between owners and landlords, Argoudelis said.

Despite the recent closures, downtown Plainfield will be home to a new restaurant in the coming weeks. Altiro Latin Fusion, a restaurant that blends Italian, Mexican and Spanish cuisine to serve tapas and tacos, plans to open at 15120 S. Des Plaines St. by February.

The Plainfield location will be the restaurant group's fourth Altiro in the Chicagoland area. Others are located in Aurora, Geneva and Wheaton.

RELATED: Altiro Latin Fusion Plans 4th Location In Downtown Plainfield