Those driving through downtown East Dundee have likely noticed the lights off at Blues BBQ and Grill.
According to village officials, the restaurant will not reopen under the current management.
OTTO President Tom Roeser, who owns the building, said the restaurant owners, Patrick Maggi and Robert “Buzz” Doyle, have filed for bankruptcy.
“And although we have a potential offer, the courts could make this a difficult sale,” he said.
The barbecue restaurant, 102 N River St., is listed on a commercial retail site. The listing states the buyer can “keep the current concept or make it your own in this prime downtown location.”
Roeser said the buyers, a husband and wife team, are interested in keeping the current concept.
Erin Weingart, East Dundee’s manager of special events, said once the restaurant reopens all gift cards sold will be honored.
A sign on the door said the restaurant was closed just for the holidays. On Dec. 29, Doyle said the restaurant would be reopening in early January.
“Last year was brutally slow from Christmas to New Years for us and actually cost us money to be open,” he said in an email. “We gave the staff the time off, and plan to reopen on the 2nd! We will have winter hours but will be open. Please let everyone know that is the plan. Unless something changes!”
The restaurant opened in the fall of 2014.
Fare ranged from full racks of ribs and brisket to pulled chicken and burgers.
Doyle said Wednesday he and Maggi are working with an attorney on the situation.
“There are a lot of moving pieces but all options are on the table. We love East Dundee and we want to make this work.”
Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
