Celebrating a Local Institution
Paul’s Family Restaurant, a staple in the suburbs, marked its 65th year of operation on Friday. The event gathered around 75 friends, relatives, and local dignitaries at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and McLean Boulevard in Elgin. The celebration highlighted the restaurant’s longstanding presence and impact on the community.
“This is an institution,” state Sen. Cristina Castro remarked, acknowledging the restaurant’s significance. She read an Illinois Senate proclamation congratulating the establishment. “We need to celebrate, cherish it, and keep it safe. It’s like coming home to your family.”
Elaine Paul, the owner of Paul’s Family Restaurant, reacted as Sen. Castro shared personal memories tied to the eatery. The restaurant’s journey over the decades has cemented its status as a cherished local landmark.
Longevity and Success
Elgin Mayor David Kaptain also praised the restaurant’s enduring success. He mentioned a consultant’s advice that most restaurants last about two years, while a five-year run denotes an institution. He admired Paul’s longevity in the community, saying, “Sixty-five years in business in this town and still be as successful is incredible.”
Originally opened by Greek immigrants John and Stella Paul in 1961, the restaurant started as Douglas Coffee Shop on Division Street. With just $200 to buy food for their first day, they ran a 19-seat eatery. Eventually, the couple moved the business to its current location on Lawrence Avenue.
Elaine Paul, their daughter, took over in the mid-1990s after her parents decided to retire. She emphasized her parents’ desire for her to receive an excellent education, which led her to Northwestern University and later to law school in Washington, D.C. Despite her initial hesitation to run the restaurant, Elaine found herself continuing her family’s legacy for over 30 years.
A Tribute and Continuation
Elaine Paul expressed that continuing the restaurant has been a tribute to her parents, especially after her mother Stella’s passing in 2015. Her father John, now 97, was strong until a diagnosis of stage 1 colorectal cancer earlier this year. Though he couldn’t attend the celebration after a hospital stay, his daughter remains committed to honoring her parents.
The pandemic brought challenges, but Elaine remains dedicated to preserving what her parents built. “It’s really been a labor of love,” she stated, underscoring her pride in her family’s legacy.
Reporter Rick West from the Daily Herald provided coverage for Paul’s Family Restaurant’s milestone event.