CHANNAHON – If you’re looking to find anybody in Channahon, local wisdom might be to go to Lone Star Restaurant and Lounge – they’re either there or will show up sooner or later.

That still seemed to be the case Thursday morning as owner Themis Sparagis estimated almost 600 people had come by to see the damage and offer condolences after a fire damaged the restaurant Wednesday night.

“Now I know how many friends I have. I have a lot of friends,” Sparagis said, searching for a silver lining in the damage to the business he and his brother, Theodoros, have operated for 38 years.

“This is my whole life here,” he said.

“Things happen ... no injuries,” Theodoros Sparagis said with a shrug, as he looked at 25208 W. Eames St. from across the parking lot.

Themis Sparagis’ son Kosta Sparagis was managing the restaurant when the fire began between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Kosta Sparagis said he noticed a bad smell coming from the east end of the building where roofers were working.

When he saw smoke, he called 911.

“There were 20 to 25 customers inside and I just said, ‘Everybody. Please. You have to leave right away. Let’s go,’ ” he said.

Firefighters spent about two hours battling the blaze. Fire Chief John Petrakis said the fire caused a corner of the roof to collapse and left smoke, heat and water damage throughout the building.

Kosta Sparagis said the large amount of debris on the floor made it difficult to assess the total extent of the damage.

"[Kosta] called.
I came right away. I saw all the traffic backed up and then ... [see] my baby's burning up," Themis Sparagis said.

Kelly Barr was among the longtime customers who came Thursday morning to give a hug and encouragement. She said the restaurant is “the heart of the town.”

“Everybody comes here. This is where you go with your family. It’s where the kids get ice cream,” she said.

Barr mentioned when her father visits from out of town he always makes a stop at the restaurant, which Themis and Kosta Sparagis said is typical.

“If you live here or moved away and come back to visit, we’re your second or third home,” Kosta Sparagis said, bringing a momentary smile to his father’s face.

Mayor Missey Schumacher agreed Lone Star can accurately be referred to as a landmark. She has used it many times as a reference to give people directions.

“They’ve been the fabric of the town for 40 years ... a Channahon institution. Lone Star’s one of the longstanding businesses that’s endured. It’s a Channahon icon,” Schumacher said. “This [fire] is devastating for the entire community.”

Schumacher said the village will help with the rebuilding effort and that “many” residents contacted village staff about making donations.

A fund account has been established at M&M Bank, 25140 W. Channon Drive. The bank will be accepting donations of any size for the Lone Star Family Fund.

The Sparagis family said Thursday they plan to reopen Lone Star, but did not know how soon. The restaurant has about 30 employees.

“It’s going to be hard times,” Themis Sparagis said. “I want to thank the fire department, the police and the village for what they did and thank everybody – my customers and friends – for stopping and giving support.”

• Herald-News digital editor Anna Schier contributed to this report