Juliet's Opens Next Week in Downtown Joliet

With several successful Chicago restaurants under his belt, attorney and restaurateur Carmen Rossi said he felt the stakes were even higher when it came to his latest venture.

“This is a return home for me,” said Rossi, who grew up in Frankfort and is the son of former Frankfort mayor and current Will County Judge Ray Rossi.

On Oct. 7, Rossi’s first Will County business will open up shop.

Juliet’s, an Italian-inspired restaurant and sports bar, will is set to open Oct. 7 in a nearly 125-year-old building at 205 N. Chicago St.

On Wednesday, Rossi greeted local officials at a preview for the eatery, which he said represents the union of three different concepts.

“The challenge has been wanting to do something that when I’m in downtown Joliet and in a city as diverse as Joliet, there’s something for everyone,” Rossi said. He said he wanted to have offerings for every age group, as well as families.

The main floor bar and dining area is a sports bar stocked with its own menu, as well as a craft beer and whiskey selection and two 80-inch TVs so sports fans can enjoy a game with their meal, Juliet’s Director of Operations Jason Felsenthal said.

An adjacent dining area is a nod to 1950s Italian dining, Rossi said, featuring a menu of pizza, pasta, seafood and steaks.

The second floor is home to a wine bar featuring a tap system with wine on draft, along with space for private parties and events.

Although Juliet’s is his first Italian-inspired restaurant, Rossi is no stranger to the hospitality business. His other ventures include the Hubbard Inn in River North; Barn & Company and Lincoln Avenue Social in Lincoln Park; Bar 63 in Rogers Park; and a new restaurant, Pomp & Circumstance, in Old Town.

“I wanted to do something back at home,” Rossi said of coming back to Will County.

“Will County is home to me,” he said, adding that the location “is at the epicenter of downtown Joliet.”

The name — Juliet’s — is a nod to the original name of Joliet, according to Rossi.

The building, constructed in the 1890s, has served as several businesses, including a grocer, a shoe store, dentist’s office and theater. Most recently, it was home to The Department restaurant, which closed in March.

Rossi said he learned the Chicago Street building was available while scouring for locations for a Will County restaurant. He said a meeting with Mayor Tom Giarrante helped seal the deal.

“The reception from the city was the legs that got this project going,” he said. “They’ve been supportive, welcoming and incredibly passionate about downtown Joliet. I walked out of (Giarrante’s) office ready to do this project.”

Renovations on the historic building started in May.

“My goal was to touch every square inch of this place,” Rossi said, adding that the building’s beauty and character lent itself to the project. “We saw what we wanted to do from ’Go.’”

Oct. 7 opening

Juliet’s will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Its hours are 11 a.m. to close Tuesday through Sunday.

Rossi said a grand opening celebration is in the works for November.

Check out the Juliet’s website and Facebook page.