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BERWYN – Things are going well at Lavergne's Tavern in Berwyn since its opening about one month ago.
Co-owner Jerry Hernandez said the response to Lavergne’s opening in the former Garv Inn at 6546 Windsor Ave. has been great, and it has been getting a lot of return business. They are getting to know their customers, many of whom walk to the business from their nearby homes, he added.
”People have been nice and welcoming,” said Hernandez, who co-owns the business with his brother, Jorge. They also own and operate Warren’s Ale House in Wheaton and Ellyn’s Tap and Grill in Glen Ellyn.
Lavergne’s general manager Megan Rubio agrees, saying the response – since the June 11 opening and June 29 ribbon cutting – “has been awesome.”
“The community really seems to embrace us. It’s nice to see young families in here," she said.
Those families often come two or three times a week, said Rubio, who opened Warren’s Ale House for the brothers and has worked for them for three years, although she knew them before that as a family friend.
The tin ceiling and hardwood floors of Lavergne's are restored, and the bar was rebuilt from scratch using reclaimed black walnut. The roof and bathrooms also are new.
The interior was designed by Chicago architecture firm Bauer Latoza Studio.
“We enjoyed working with Jerry and Jorge on realizing their vision of creating a true neighborhood destination,” principal Tim Vacha said in a statement.
Rubio said the business has gotten a lot of comments about the atmosphere.
“We’ve totally redone it and kept some elements of Garv," she added.
Hernandez said the business is a combination of bar and restaurant and has a good amount of local, craft beer. The bar offers 20 taps for beer, six to eight wines and a cocktail list using only fresh squeezed juices.
More than half of Lavergne’s business is food, he said. Shareable appetizers cost $6 to $9, and entrees are $14 to $16. Food includes an Italian beef egg roll and Cajun scallops.
Executive Chef Mark Downing has worked for the Hernandezes for three years and previously was employed at fine-dining and French restaurants, Hernandez said.
Lavergne’s has full operating hours – opening at 11 a.m. all seven days and closing at 1 a.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, he said. It offers lunch and dinner.
The business also offers an online service at lavergnes.com to order and pay for food and pick it up in 15 minutes, he said.
Lavergne’s was named after the BNSF Railway stop at Ridgeland Avenue. Hernandez said he was driving past the location one day while taking his mother to breakfast, saw Garv Inn had closed and looked into opening a business there.
As to any future changes, he said, “I think it’s just fine-tuning everything to make it a place the neighborhood can be proud of.”
But they may open a beer garden in the back next year, Hernandez said.
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If you go
What: Lavergne’s Tavern
Address: 6546 Windsor Ave., Berwyn
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: lavergnes.com