Traditions Closes, Joliet Park District Explores Options

JOLIET, IL - For the past 10 years, Traditions Restaurant Pub was a mainstay at Joliet's Inwood Park along West Jefferson Street. It was a popular hangout after hockey games, ice skating and outdoor sporting events at Memorial Stadium. But that tradition came to an abrupt end this past Sunday, much to the community's surprise. A sign posted on the doors around Traditions advises visitors to the Joliet Park District facility that Traditions closed permanently as of Sunday, July 22.

"Future plans for this space will be made public by the Joliet Park District in the near future," the sign reads.

On Thursday afternoon, Patch spoke with Tom Carstens, executive director for the Joliet Park District.

Carstens said the restaurant and bar's lease with the Joliet Park District was up and "we mutually decided" to go in "separate directions."

"So we will be looking to fill that space with another restaurant and bar facility," he told Joliet Patch. "We had a great run with Traditions."

Within the coming week, Carstens said, the Joliet Park District plans to publish its request for proposals from prospective businesses.

"We'd like to get that space occupied with a new tenant by early October," he said. "We would like to be family-oriented or inviting to families. We're going to keep an open mind as to what the RFPs bring."

Patch asked Carstens how many entrepreneurs or Joliet area businesses might be interested in filling the Traditions space.

"I have no idea how many we'll get," he said of requested proposals. "We're hearing there is interest out there. I'd imagine we get over five."

Carstens said that prospective tenants can contact him for more information by calling 815-741-7275 or emailing him at tcarstens@jolietpark.org .

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor