Grand Bear Resort in Utica opens full-service bar J.H. Higby’s

Utica officials conducted ribbon cutting ceremony

By Tom Collins

Walter Kosch, vice president and corporate counsel of the Sonnenschein Groupe, which owns Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock, cuts the ceremonial ribbon at J.H. Higby's inside the resort while Utica officials look on. Grand Bear expanded their offerings with a full-service bar in the resort lobby. (Tom Collins)

July 29, 2022 at 5:35 pm CDT

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock near Utica expanded its offerings with a full-service bar in the resort lobby.

Walter Kosch, vice president and corporate counsel of the Sonnenschein Groupe, which owns Grand Bear Resort, cut the ceremonial ribbon at what’s now called J.H. Higby’s inside the resort while Utica officials look on.

Bill Zens (from left), executive director of the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Walter Kosch, vice president and corporate counsel for Grand Bear Resort, and Utica Mayor David Stewart stand outside newly opened J.H. Higby's, the full-service bar opened inside the Grand Bear lobby and named for a Utica founder. (Tom Collins)