Bays: Royal Palace Event Centre Opening At Former Aaron's Store

JOLIET, IL — Eleven months after Joliet Patch reported that John Bays purchased the empty and dilapidated Aaron's Furniture and Appliance building at 1416 West Jefferson St., The Royal Palace Event Centre is ready to open here.

On Tuesday night, the Joliet City Council will vote on issuing a Class B liquor license to Joliet businessman Phil Petrakos, who also owns The Crystal Room in downtown Joliet at the former Catholic Charities building. In May, Petrakos opened Phil's Corner Spirits and Gaming at the corner of Theodore Street and Raynor Avenue, also in Joliet.

Petrakos said he's hoping to have The Royal Palace Event Centre open in September.

His new banquet hall will have a seating capacity for at least 400 people, he said. It can be used for weddings, birthday parties, retirement parties, fund-raisers and corporate events.

Last September, John Bays told Joliet Patch that the Aaron's building is about 29,100 square feet and the parcel is 2.5 acres. There is a giant parking lot in the back of the building that you can't see from West Jefferson Street.

"It turned out really nice and he's booking stuff already so I think he'll d well," Bays told Joliet Patch on Monday. "It really looks good. Within two weeks, it will hopefully be 100 percent done. I put a lot of money into, it, millions of dollars."

Bays also revealed he has secured other tenants for the rest of the Aaron's property.

"The whole shopping center is leased, and I will announce who the other tenants are real soon," Bays remarked.

On Monday, Petrakos told Joliet Patch that his new banquet hall for Joliet will be a first class operation.

"The Royal Palace Event Centre," Petrakos said. "It goes by the name. It's beautiful. Mr. Bays did a beautiful job."

Petrakos said the renovations to the old Aaron's store are now in the final stages.

"We are just waiting to get it finished, so we can open on our doors September," he said. "It's right on Jefferson Street. The entrance will be in the rear, in the back."

Petrakos said he will continue to operate The Crystal Room which is located in the same John Bays building that includes the Harold's Shrimp & Chicken, across the street from the Harrah's Casino parking garage.

The Crystal Room has less seating, he said, accommodating about 100 people.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Daily Drink Specials For New Neighborhood Bar In Joliet

The Crystal Room: Joliet Patch Gets A Look Inside

John Bays Buys Dumpy Aaron's Property On Jefferson