EDISON PARK — Three popular Far Northwest Side businesses have closed permanently after their building was sold to new owners.
The Curragh Irish pub, Que Onda and a Giordano’s pizzeria located in the same building at 6701-6709 N. Northwest Highway, closed early this week, business owners announced in letters posted to social media and on the building’s doors.
Paul Leongas and his sisters operated the pub, the pizzeria and Que Onda, a Mexican fare joint attached to the pub, and owned the building, according to business websites and property records.
“It is with mixed emotions that we write to inform you that The Curragh, Que Onda and Giordano’s have closed their doors after more than two decades,” business owners said in the letter posted Sept. 18. “While this decision was not made lightly, we are filled with gratitude as we reflect on the incredible journey we have had together.”
On Tuesday, a Giordano’s spokesperson posted a statement to social media on the pizza location’s closure, citing real estate changes on the buildings that forced the restaurant to lose its lease.
Leongas did not indicate the building was sold, though it’s been on the market since last September, according to its sale listing.
Lexi Lu Breakfast Cafe, which is also in the building, also appears to have closed and was part of the sale, according to the listing.
Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) said the family has been in negotiations with a business owner to take over the building for over a month, and the sale was recently officially completed.
“It was a negotiation that, from what we were told, was a long-term portion of that contract, so there is a business that is already set to go into that location once they do some of their build out,” Napolitano said.
Leongas did not return requests for comment but told his employees and customers of the businesses that they “have made the journey truly remarkable.”
The Curragh — which used to have locations in suburban Glenview and Skokie that have since closed — has been in Edison Park since 2009 after its original location in Schaumburg closed in 2006. A location in Holland, Michigan, is still open.
The Leongas’ opened Giordano’s inside the storefront in 2013 and opened Que Onda in 2018, according to the building’s sale listing.
Collectively, the owners operated the businesses for over two decades, as they first took over the Irish pub in 1999.
The three sister restaurants had been a staple in Edison Park’s Restaurant Row over the years that’s seen an ebb and flow of business openings and closings serving nearby suburbanites as well as Chicagoans.
Napolitano said the decision to sell the building and close the storefronts was likely a business opportunity that brought in more money than operating the restaurants.
“That’s not to say anything was wrong with the businesses in there; they were awesome and I hate to see them go,” he said. “Hopefully we get them in different locations somewhere.”
Residents, neighboring businesses and patrons of Leongas’ businesses also lamented the news on social media.
“We would like to truly wish Paul Leongas from the Curragh Irish Pub, Que Onda and Giordano’s Pizza and his family a heartfelt farewell,” wrote the owners of Tony’s Italian Deli & Subs, located across the street. “They have been a true staple in EP for many years and today they announced their doors will be closing. We wish you the best in any new ventures you seek.”
Other restaurants along the strip are still seeing positive business, such as Tavern on the Point and Café Touchē, Napolitano said. More new businesses are planned to come to the area soon, and a new grocery store slated to take over the former Happy Foods spot has the alderman feeling overall positive about the area’s business corridor, he said.
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