New Homewood Fine Dining Restaurant to Break Ground; Owners Revealed
Olympia Fields residents Glenna and Dudley Elvery are the force behind Homewood's upcoming restaurant, The Cottage on Dixie.
Pdfs
At the time Patch announced the forthcoming of Homewood’s newest fine dining restaurant, “The Cottage on Dixie,” the owners of the new business remained a mystery. After nearly three months of mild speculation, local philanthropists Glenna and Dudley Elvery have come forward as owners of the anticipated restaurant. The Elvery’s are well known throughout the area for their charitable work, including fundraising for South Suburban Family Shelter and church activities and other fundraisers—many of which they run from their own home in Olympia Fields.
Read: Fine Dining Headed for Homewood
"About a decade ago my husband and I seriously considered moving away form the South Suburbs,” Glenna Elvery said. “Instead we made a commitment to them, he through his work both in a local congregation and in collaborative efforts between faith groups and I through my support of needed agencies such as the South Suburban Family Shelter.
"As ‘foodies’ we value fine dining," Elvery continued. "When the opportunity to open a fine dining restaurant, The Cottage on Dixie, arose, both our commitments to the South Suburbs and passion for good food came together seamlessly."
The Elvery’s are currently working alongside kitchen and restaurant consultants to develop The Cottage on Dixie as a destination location within the Southland.
“We bring an ability to create a vision and to develop a team to fulfill the vision to the project,” Glenna Elvery said. “We firmly believe that the South Suburbs deserves fine dining and it's one of our hopes that we will draw people from the city to experience fine dining here for a change.”
But a questions reamains: why did the Elvery’s wait so long to announce their ownership?
“It's about the business, not us,” Elvery said.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for The Cottage on Dixie will take place today at 8:30 a.m. An opening date for the new restaurant is still pending.
Karen V. Maurer
9:43 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
As a neighbor of The Cottage and a believer in the South Suburbs, I extend a hearty welcome to Glenna and Dudley Elvery. It may mean the end of our evening walks on Dixie between Idlewild and Terrace, but that is a small loss compared to having the restaurant building standing empty. Hooda and I will enjoy watching new life come to that site. Karen Maurer
WA Mama
9:43 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Well, I have to admit THAT was a surprise. But given the Elverys' success in so many directions, and their commitment to detail, and their boundless enthusiasm for what they love, I am even more excited about the opening of this restaurant!
FlossmoorMom
11:15 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Am so looking forward to this! Horray! Now if only we could get Trader Joe's ;)
Linda T
2:05 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
I'm so excited about this restaurant! I can hardly wait for our area to have a fine dining establishment sourcing local and organic foods. I grow organic veggies, and we buy eggs, meats, poultry, and dairy from local, pasturing farmers. There's nothing like the flavor and nutrition of these healthful, pesticide, herbicide, artificial hormone, and GMO-free foods. Being able to find them at a local restaurant will help make going out to eat just that much more pleasurable! Huge kudos and thanks to the Elverys. I wish you the greatest success with this new endeavor.
I'm with you, FlossmoorMom, on the Trader Joe's!
FlossmoorMom
3:22 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
We grow our own veggies at our house too! To each his own as far as organic vs. traditional commercial farming, but *having* this option is going to be so awesome! I know that Fresh Starts in Flossmoor is also very conscious of special diets- I believe they offer gluten free items on their menu- and they also use organic fruits and veg!
Linda T
4:02 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Didn't know that about Fresh Starts. It's been a while since I've been there - sounds like it's time to go back again!
Good for you growing your own veggies! There's nothing like the flavor of fresh-picked garden veggies.
I feel there are so many chemicals already in our environment, and try to avoid GMOs, so I choose organic as much as possible. Since I got more picky about buying organic and local/pasture-raised foods, my health has improved. I think it's healthier for the farmers, and for the environment, too. I agree though - to each his/her own.
FlossmoorMom
4:22 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Yes Linda, you can see where they get their local organic here :) http://www.freshstartsrestaurant.com/about.htm! Nice to know there is a fellow organic gardener here in HF!
babyboomer
5:45 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
We desperately need a true fine dining restaurant in this area. I hope they hire a fine executive chef who will keep true to culinary excellence.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
8:11 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Glenna Elvery told me in an email that they're looking for a chef with at least ten years fine dining experience.
Doug
6:04 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Not sure what the looks of their home has to do with the quality of the restaurant.
Deb Hartung
12:23 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
That is a picture of the restaurant, not their home.
Johnny D.
10:20 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
I can't wait to see what their take is on of a steak and martini. I'd go there. Sounds cool.
Karen V. Maurer
10:53 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
I think the most significant thing that's been said so far is Glenna Elvery's statement that she and her husband considered moving from the south suburbs and instead made a commitment to staying. YES! We need more of that spirit! Karen Maurer
Integrity Carpet & Floor Care
6:07 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
This will be a wonderful edition to the neighborhood! Thank you Elverys for your bravery and commitment!
Always Watching
8:39 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I wonder if the trustees had to pay for the tax breaks out if their own pockets if the would have loaded so much of them into the first year?
M. Gordon
11:24 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
It seems that they have have hired the chef and manager/bartender from Fresh Starts Restaurant in Flossmoor. Taking key people from an average neighborhood restaurant doesn't seem to fit with the Elvery's fine dining, expensive, and destination dining spot. What a disappointment!!!!