Another 50 Year Naperville Tradition

Maybe you watched a game there with friends or stopped in for a bowl of their famous chili on a cold afternoon, but if you've lived any time in Naperville, you probably have been to The Lantern Bar and Grill. LIke Summer Place Theatre, The Lantern in downtown Naperville is also celebrating a 50th anniversary this year.

First established by Amanda Webb in 1940 as the Rainbow Café, it was later purchased by Joe and Jenny Fessler. After Joe passed on, Bob Marwitz bought the tavern and updated the décor with some antique lanterns. Bob then changed the name to The Lantern to reflect the new look.

Don Feldott was an employee of Moser Lumber and the father of a young family in the early 1960s. On the side, he worked at Marwitz's tavern. In 1966, Don and his wife Pat decided to buy The Lantern and started their own 50 year family tradition.

The Feldott children grew up at The Lantern, helping sweep the floor before school in the morning and walking back from SS. Peter & Paul to eat lunch at the bar counter.

With far fewer restaurant options back then, The Lantern was also a popular lunch spot for Bell Labs and Amoco employees during the 1970s.

The Lantern has seen some changes over the past 50 years. The old horseshoe-shaped bar is gone and the back room was enclosed to make room for a few more tables. The façade has been updated, too, and the Century Walk mural, “A City in Transit” was painted on the Washington Street wall.

Pat passed on in 2007 and Don has handed over day-to-day management to the next generation. If you stop in for a beer or a bowl of their chili, you will no doubt run into son Bill, daughter-in-law Teri or grand-daughter Kalie.

Some regulars have been coming in to the tavern for the entire 50 years of the Feldott's ownership. “So many people tell me they met their husband or wife here,” Teri says. “This place is important to people.” The Lantern has even hosted a few engagement and wedding photo sessions.

Consider stopping in to The Lantern for a burger or sandwhich before heading over to one of Summer Place Theatre's performances this summer. It's literally only a couple blocks away. The Lantern is also planning a 50th anniversary bash for later in the summer so watch for details to help them celebrate.