Norton's In Highland Park Set To Change Hands After 27 Years

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — After 27 years running the beloved Highland Park restaurant, the founders of Norton's are passing the torch.

Founders Jeff Mages and Richie Holleb sold Norton's to David Rosenstein, a longtime Highland Park resident leading a local ownership team, according to an announcement from the restaurant. Rosenstein is joined by operating partners Simon Leibovich and Jeff Poulsom.

All three are Highland Park locals who grew up with Norton’s and say they understand its role in the community.

"We bought Norton's, because we love it and we want it to continue being the place that has been so special to so many people and that's why we're keeping the entire staff and planning to make the transition as seamless as possible," Poulsom told Patch.

Mages and Holleb built Norton’s into one of the North Shore’s enduring neighborhood restaurants. The restaurant said the pair earned loyal guests over generations through consistent quality, hospitality and community ties.

“We have taken great pride in what we built here at Norton’s over the years,” Mages and Holleb said in a joint statement. “We are extremely thankful for our loyal regulars, the beloved friends of Jeff, Richie, and our incredible staff, and for the City of Highland Park, for everything we have accomplished together. We know we are leaving Norton’s in good hands.”

To support the transition, Holleb will remain involved as a transition ambassador, assisting the new ownership in all aspects of the business, according to the announcement. Leibovich and Poulsom are expected to help lead day-to-day operations after the sale.

“We have great respect for what Jeff and Richie built, and our job is to honor it while making Norton’s even better,” said David Rosenstein, who is leading the new ownership. “The warmth, and the sense that this is everyone’s neighborhood place, will not change. We will keep listening, keep improving, and work hard alongside this incredible team to keep Norton’s the gathering place Highland Park has always loved.”

Following the transition, Norton’s will close briefly over the July 4th holiday weekend and reopen the following week under its new ownership.