Tru Country New Lenox Grand Opening Weekend Set

NEW LENOX, IL — A long-vacant and once-blighted building in New Lenox is poised for its fresh start.

In an impressive and almost overnight glow-up, the building formerly known as TJ's Bar and Grill has transformed into Tru Country, its owners now eager to swing open the doors and show the community what they've been waiting for.

Now nearing two years since they've purchased the property at 222 W. Maple St., Eden and Phil Wiechec have checked nearly every box on their pre-open "to-do" list, and they've set a grand opening weekend: April 3–5. The bar opens at 10 a.m. April 3, and live music is lined up to celebrate the occasion, with Jake Vaughn on Friday, April 3 at 9 p.m., and Billy Gray Music on Saturday, April 4 at 9 p.m.

Ahead of the grand opening, they are mulling a soft opening on March 30—the 21st birthday of the bar's namesake, their daughter Tru. That date and hours have not been firmed up, and if open that day, customers will be welcomed on a pass-by, walk-in basis, Wiechec said.

Any wait has seemed minor compared to the stretch the building previously stood empty, lingering for more years than some can remember. Some struggle to picture what it looks like inside; others know the stories the building would tell if only those walls could talk.

The structure gets a fresh start now—the red and yellow brick painted white, contrasted by black metal overhangs on a front porch and side patio seating. Wooden beams frame the front entrance, the Tru Country sign glowing with an American flag splashed through the letters. The sign keeps with the theme of their other Tru Country location in Channahon, touted as the "most patriotic bar in Illinois." That Channahon location has been a huge success, Wiechec previously told Patch, so they’ll keep much of the same menu.

It's a special project for the couple, who live in the town and have raised their family there.

“This is our town,” Eden Wiechec told Patch previously.

“We’ve driven past there for years and years, so we’re excited.”

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She's staying tight-lipped about the interior—the building's windows are still covered with black paper—but told Patch previously that it's been designed with the other location in mind.

"I’m trying to keep the bars where when you walk in, you know it’s a Tru Country," she said. "We’ll have some of the familiar—when you walk in the other bar, you recognize it.

"The inside’s going to be beautiful. We have a few little surprises for people when they walk in—for the town."

Wiechec said the inside was mostly empty, with flooring of cement and even gravel in some spots. She noted its previous owner used it to store classic cars—evident by the garage door on the back side of the building.

The work on the exterior has helped people envision how the place would be brought back to life. Soon, passersby will hear live music from inside—likely country bands—and in mid-April, they'll offer country line dancing on Wednesday nights.

Last year, Mayor Tim Baldermann said that many over the years had wanted to buy the property, but parking was consistently an issue. Eden and Phil Wiechec were able to purchase the property next door, a lot that will allow space for parking. It's now freshly paved.

Baldermann couldn't recall how long the spot had stood vacant.

"I don’t know how long it’s been vacant, but for the majority of the time I’ve lived here, that’s for sure," Baldermann told Patch last year.

Bringing Tru Country to their hometown feels more poignant than their other business ventures, Wiechec said.

"All my kids went to school here, so we’ll be able to see a lot of the local people in there," she told Patch previously. "A whole different thing from owning in Joliet or Channahon."

The building has come so far, she said, describing how the lighting hits the exterior, how striking the sign looks. How it has reinvigorated that corner. Community members have been excited and welcoming.

"It’s been nothing but positive," Wiechec said.

Baldermann applauded the owners' efforts at the building.

"We are really excited to see a different type of establishment open in a building that was in long time need of repair and occupancy," Baldermann said. "We’re confident this will be a successful venture for the new owners, and a great new spot for the community!"

Wiechec said she's just as eager to flip the lights on.

"I’m excited for everyone to see it!" she said, "and to have life back in the building."

Tru Country's grand opening weekend is set for April 3–5. For more updates on what's to come at Tru Country New Lenox, follow them on Facebook.

Hours for Tru Country will be Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Kitchen hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.