Shaw Local

News   •   Sports   •   Obituaries   •   eNewspaper   •   The Scene
The Herald-News

Joliet restaurant Joy of Eating closes its doors for good

Magpie's Joy of Eating in Joliet is set to open in December. The quaint diner will be open 7 days a week, featuring seasonal menus.

Magpie's Joy of Eating in Joliet is set to open in December. The quaint diner will be open 7 days a week, featuring seasonal menus. (Gary Middendorf/Gary Middendorf)

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Magpie’s Joy of Eating in Joliet closed its doors for good two years after it opened them.

Margaret Mary Gillespie, Magpie’s owner, made the announcement on the Magpie’s Joy of Eating Facebook page on Dec. 11.

Gillespie purchased the assets of the former Thayer Bros. in 2023 and then opened Magpie’s Joy of Eating in that space in January 2024.

Gillespie previously said she used to work for Ann Thayer when Thayer had a restaurant on Midland Avenue and Jefferson Street.

Reviews on Facebook praised Magpie’s chicken strips and homemade soups.

We welcome news about business developments in our communities. We appreciate hearing about local business comings and goings, new hours, expansions, and milestones in the Joliet area. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@theherald-news.com.

Eyes on EnterpriseJolietWill CountyBusinessRestaurantDining
Denise Unland

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Denise M. Baran-Unland is the features editor for The Herald-News in Joliet. She covers a variety of human interest stories. She also writes the long-time weekly tribute feature “An Extraordinary Life about local people who have died. She studied journalism at the College of St. Francis in Joliet, now the University of St. Francis.