Down to Business: After nearly 60 years, The Lantern's become a ‘generational place' for Naperville families
Address: 8 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-355-7099; www.lanternnaperville.com
Owner: Mike Lococo of Naperville; General Manager: Jessica Laramie, 37, of Yorkville
Years in business: 59
What does your business do? 'It's all about the history. It's a generational place. Families come here. We're known as a tavern. We're known as a bar. We're known as a restaurant,' Lococo said.
'Kids look forward to getting their (free) popcorn and suckers,' Laramie said. 'That's been going on for years. Adults now did it when they were kids.'
What should people know? 'We have the coldest beer in downtown Naperville,' Lococo said.
Did you start the business? 'No. I bought it two and a half years ago. Don Feldott started The Lantern in 1966. Our 60th year will be 2026. There's going to be a celebration all year,' Lococo said.
'One of (Don's) granddaughters, Kalie Feldott, is our other general manager,' Laramie said.
Why did you buy The Lantern? 'Opportunity. A venture to take on. … Don passed away in 2021. Some of the family started running the business. They decided to sell. … I had been here before. I was here when I was 21.'
What was your previous job? 'Property management.'
How's the business doing? 'It's going great. We didn't change any of the recipes. They are 40, 50 years old. We're known for burgers. We make them fresh every day. We bring in the meat from Casey's (Foods). We have great food. … Our cooks, Ruben and Susanna Gallegos, have been here over 25 years,' Lococo said.
How many employees do you have? 'Thirty-five. We've had employees here for decades. Our cleaner, we call him Rob Bob, he's here 5, 6 in the morning. No one's ever seen him,' Lococo said. 'His father worked here. Rob Bob is in his 60s. I will come here sometimes at eight in the morning. It's like if walls could talk. He tells me all the stories, the history that went on here 30, 40, 50 years ago.'
Why is The Lantern important for Naperville? 'It's iconic. You'll get construction workers to attorneys to the mayor. Have lunch. Have a drink. This place is a staple. You saw the mural on the side (of the building). If you look up 'City of Naperville,' that's the picture that comes up first. I call this 'the beating heart of Naperville'.' Lococo said.
'We're known as the place to have the last drink (of the night). People try to get here an hour before we close to have that last drink,' Lococo said.
What are your hours? 'We're open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, till 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday,' Laramie said.
What about competition? 'We love to see other bars down here. We encourage people to open bars (downtown),' Lococo said.
'That makes it a destination place for all of us,' Laramie said.
Any favorite stories? 'It was Christmas week. Really crowded. An older gentleman came in and said his daughter was getting engaged (in a park) down the street in 20 minutes and he needed room for 30 people. I accommodated him. … A lot of people meet here, get married, come back,' Lococo said.
Are you here 12 hours a day? 'I used to be. Hiring good people is the key,' Lococo said.
Any future plans? 'We will not go corporate. It's going to be a traditional, independently owned place as long as I'm here,' Lococo said. 'Maybe (start) a (weekend) brunch. We're working on that … We hope to bring back the block party in August of 2026. Everyone works that day. Some of our customers volunteer and help.'
Any other special events? 'We have free karaoke every Tuesday night, from 9 p.m. to midnight. … We also do trivia every Wednesday. A sold-out house, usually a week ahead of time. It starts at 7 o'clock. The same deejay who does karaoke does trivia. The prizes are gift cards,' Laramie said.
How about live music? 'Usually on Thursday nights. … On New Year's Eve we do two toasts. One at 5 p.m., one at midnight. A lot of the families come down here for the early toast,' Lococo said.
This building is over 100 years old. Is it haunted? 'Maybe in the basement,' Lococo said.
Any misconceptions? 'People may think it's a college bar. It's not. It's a family place. On a Saturday you get the whole T-ball team in here after a game,' Laramie said.
What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'You've got to have good people working for you and don't be undercapitalized. … People think it's easy. It's not. There's a lot of moving parts. … I'm still learning,' Lococo said.
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