Charleyhorse Owner: 'We're Not Closing'

Although a Frankfort restaurant owner showed interest in buying the Charleyhorse location in New Lenox, a deal was never in place and now appears to be dead.

"We're not closing," Charleyhorse owner Bryan Sord said. "A ton of people show interest in this spot, but we're not going anywhere."

But Peter Gellis, owner of Jameson's Pub in Frankfort, went as far to request a liquor license from the village and was on the agenda for the Jan. 23 board meeting.

At the time, Mayor Tim Baldermann was under the impression that a lease agreement had been signed. That was not true, and thus Gellis' request was removed from the agenda. A signed lease is required to petition for a liquor license.

Gellis could not be reached to comment why he's not pursuing the New Lenox location, which is at the corner of Route 30 and Marley Road.

Sord said many customers have been confused and asked whether the restaurant is closing since Patch originally reported Gelis' interest last month. The situation was confusing for the village, too, because officials first believed a deal was done.