sister eatery to the one in Elgin but how is it different than the first location? Nick Smith: Alexander’s in Saint Charles focuses on breakfast and lunch (with some ‘supper’ fare sprinkled in) and gave us a chance to do things a little differently. It was our first opportunity as a company to work with local businesses such as Oberweis and Ream’s Meat Market. Offering our guests creative dishes made with the best ingredients was and still is our mission. Same thing with our drinks – we squeeze fresh oranges every day from either Florida or California and feature Intellegentsia Coffee. Fox Valley Magazine: Will you be adding any more locations? Nick Smith: I think adding locations is driven by opportunity. Alexanders Café in Saint Charles was an opportunity to take a shuttered building and fill it with good people. We’re very happy to be apart of a rebounding west corridor. Bob Karas and I knew Saint Charles very well (he has owned Rookies across the street since 1998) and we had a strong conviction about that location. Turned out for the best. Old Republic [Kitchen+Bar] was a pretty similar opportunity in that there was an empty building that was looking to be filled with great people. I really saw potential there. Eleni and I lived in Elgin for a time near that location and felt the area warranted a nice place people could come, sit down, take a load off and enjoy themselves. Later this summer, our family is opening a new Rookie’s Sports Pub in Roselle. It was a former Tilted Kilt and again… we take a lot of pride in putting the work, time, and effort to “turn the lights on” and fill these empty spaces with great people. The new Rookie’s will foxvalleymagazine.com
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