FSR November 2022

SUBURBAN SPRAWL

food and beverage and service offer ings in their downtown that they could walk to and enjoy. And the city has also taken part in putting in a walking and biking path, a big park with an amphi theater space, public restrooms, and a splash pad,” she says. “ e community really wants to see their city grow and the dollars of those residents be spent within their city limits.” Like Farmers Branch and Lilburn, St. Charles, Illinois, is enhancing its curb appeal. About an hour west of Chicago, it has typically been overshadowed by Geneva, a larger city in the Fox River Valley, with a bustling retail scene and a dining reputation that pulls guests from surrounding suburbs. But restau rants like e Ordinary Grace are mak ing St. Charles, particularly its water front entertainment district, a bustling spot in its own rite.

percent growth between 2020 and 2021, per the U.S. Census Bureau. Within that same time frame, the city of Atlanta con tracted by 0.4 percent. About a decade ago, Weintraub recalls a few restaurants, including 1910 Pub lic House and Agavero Cantina opening downtown. Although both restaurants found success, they didn’t jumpstart the restaurant scene. at’s changing now, with the city as the driving force. “Lilburn took it upon themselves to really create a space for Main Street,” she says, adding that the city recently repaved its Main Street. Weintraub, who is collaborating with the city, recently spoke at a Lilburn Busi ness Association meeting, where there was a palpable enthusiasm and sense of anticipation. Attendance, which typically hovers around 10, was up to about 40. “They’re very excited to see more

Hovering between American upscale and fine dining, the restaurant is the brainchild of Chicago transplants chef Chris Curren and Megan Curren. Since debuting a year ago, e Graceful Ordi nary has been regularly filled to capacity. e Currens say the majority of guests live in the immediate area, but others are traveling from farther away. “We are definitely drawing a much larger crowd than just the Fox River Val ley, which is great for the business. It’s also good for the community that we’re in because the people that come and visit us will see other businesses in the area, and it makes them want to come back and maybe try something else the next time around,” Chris Curren says. St. Charles may be sharing in these rewards, but it’s also responsible for cul tivating a desirable market for restau rants and retailers. e Currens laud the St. Charles Business Alliance as a hands on partner. For example, the nonprofit runs marketing campaigns to highlight special events at the restaurant. On the f lip side, The Graceful Ordinary has helped promote local festivals and initia tives through its social media presence.

“We asked ourselves, and it sounds really simple and obvious, but, what do we want? What’s missing in this area? ”

SINCE OPENING IN 2018, THE YARD HAS BECOME THE NO. 1 ALCOHOL SALES GENERATOR IN THE DALLAS SUBURB OF MCKINNEY, TEXAS.

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FSRMAGAZINE .COM

NOVEMBER 2022