Nicolino's Trackside, Old Bridge Tavern in McHenry to change hands

Two McHenry businesses are in the process of changing owners.

The City Council recently approved liquor license transfers for Old Bridge Tavern and Nicolino’s Trackside. Old Bridge Tavern will be under new ownership in January, and Nicolino’s new owner plans to begin making changes in the next several months.

Robert Salerno of Lombard, who operates various restaurants under the umbrella R. Salerno Restaurant Group, will take over Nicolino’s.

His other entities include Salerno’s Pizzeria with sites in Mount Prospect, Chicago, Hodgkins and Western Springs.

Additional business ventures include Evviva! bars and eateries in Wheaton and Lisle, a brewing company in Westmont and Fatty Magoo’s in Bolingbrook, according to the group’s website.

Salerno started the restaurant group in 2005, according to his résumé submitted to the city.

Nicolino’s – to be renamed Salerno’s Pizzeria and R Bar – has operated at 621 Ridgeview Drive since 1999. The business partnered with Arlington Park to offer off-track betting in 2005, according to its website.

Salerno said he plans to complete renovations on the building, as well as add outdoor dining and an open window concept. The off-track betting services will become more private from the main restaurant and bar space, he said.

“McHenry, I feel, is not such a saturated market for pizza,” Salerno said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to bring a longtime, big Chicago name to McHenry.”

Mayor Wayne Jett said he is excited to see changes to the restaurant.

“What [Salerno] looks to do with the property is amazing,” Jett said. “I think it’s going to be a huge asset to the city. He is going to do a ton of improvements there.”

Demos and Alison Archos of McHenry plan to take over Old Bridge Tavern, 1334 Riverside Drive.

The Archoses operate under Obt Inc. and own two other McHenry businesses: Hickory Pit, 3102 W. Route 120, and Bimbo’s Italian Restaurant, 1318 Riverside Drive, according to city documents.