July 16, 2025
Business

Godson's opens on Windsor Avenue in Berwyn's Depot District

By JOE SINOPOLI
Image 1 of 2

From left: Tracy Bostrom of Berwyn, Lori Colletta of Cicero, Luisa Sepulveda, and Andrea Garcia, both of North Riverside, celebrate Sepulveda's upcoming wedding at the recently opened Godson's Bar in Berwyn on Friday. The bar is in the former Riddle's Comedy Club space. (Bill Ackerman)

BERWYN – There's a new watering hole in Berwyn's Depot District.

Godson's, 6910 W. Windsor Ave., held its grand opening May 21 at its new location, the former Riddle's Comedy Club. The space has been totally remodeled with a hickory and walnut back bar designed by Godson's owner, Melissa Granat, new hardwood floors and more.

"I'm trying to make it so it isn't like every other bar around," Granat said. "It's more upscale, like a lounge. It seems like people are looking for something more than just a place to drink."

Granat isn't just going into the bar business without any experience. She owned a bar on Archer Avenue for 14 years.

"I was 27. I owned the building and everything," she said. "It was nice. It's what I'm good at."

For Granat, the fun of owning a bar has everything to do with the customers.

"I like people, being around people," she said. "Other than the bar business, I worked for a law firm. It was the same old grind. As a bartender you're a psychiatrist. Sometimes I think I know people better than their own families and friends."

Granat said she was searching for a location to open another lounge when she heard about a space available in Berwyn.

"It was in the Depot District and that really grabbed my attention," she said. "It seems like the city [of Berwyn] is always trying to bring people to that area."

It also helped that she was no stranger to the area. A native of Chicago's Garfield Ridge, Granat has played basketball and softball in Berwyn since she was 17 years old. She said who knows Oliver or Twist owner Marty Mendocino helped set up and introduction between the two, and before long, she was a member of the community.

"Honestly, that day [my friend] drove me right over to meet [Marty]," she said. "By the end of the week, I started talking to the people in the city administration to see what had to be done. I met the Mayor and we had a great meeting."

Now, Granat said, she's looking forward to seeing where this experience will take her.

'"I'm happy to be in Berwyn," she said. "People here are so nice and the really care about [entrepreneurs] who are trying to start a business."

---

What: Godson's

Where: 6910 Windsor Ave., Berwyn

Contact: 708-317-5200

Hours: Tue-Thur: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Fri: 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Sat: 12 p.m. 2 a.m.

Sun: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Godson'sBarsBerwynLoungeNew BarsDepot DistrictDowntown Berwyn