ST. CHARLES – A downtown St. Charles business that opened in September has shut its doors, according to its owners. Top Table restaurant, at 1 W. Illinois St., Suite 170, St. Charles, closed to business in mid-July, co-owner Nathan Drafall said on Wednesday.

The restaurant had an “excellent” July 4, but the quantity of customers on a daily basis had not been as high as expected, Drafall said.

“We threw every chance we had at it hoping we could keep the doors open, but unfortunately we were a little too far gone at that time,” he said.

Drafall ran the restaurant with his wife, Amanda, and his mother, Cynthia, was a silent partner. With no other financial backers, Drafall said their entire life savings went into the restaurant, and now they have gone broke.

With seven children between them, Drafall said there’s been a couple of good friends and extended family members who have helped them with their needs.

“Put the love before the money – it’s family first,” Drafall said.

He also said the business took a personal toll on him and his wife. Top Table was the culmination of their dream to one day open a restaurant. Top Table offered American cuisine with a twist and launched in September with executive chef Josef Yurisich, who previously worked at Pheasant Run Resort for 22 years.

“We appreciate everybody that did come. ... I think people liked the food and ambiance,” Cynthia Drafall said Tuesday.