Nashwood 2025 marked the closing of iconic downtown Highwood restaurant Nite ‘N Gale.
The restaurant at 346 Sheridan Road is set to be torn down as early as next month to make way for a luxury apartment complex with retail space that may accommodate another restaurant. The Nite ‘N Gale name is being floated for the new business by hopeful fans and diners.
And for the first time in Nashwood’s eight-year history, the Nite ‘N Gale participated in the first day of the three-day festival on Friday.
“We’re closing in one month for good because they’re tearing the building down, so it’s a goodbye and a celebration of the restaurant that’s been around since 1947,” restaurant owner Marc Alberts said.
Alberts took over the restaurant a year ago when the family that operated Nite ‘N Gale sold the property and the land. He was motivated to keep staff employed for another year, and to “see what the restaurant business was like.”
“I was a customer here,” he said. “I just kind of wanted to give it a shot, and keep it open for a year and help out.
“Highwood has an amazing ability … to welcome people and treat them great, give them great service, great food, great drink and great music,” Alberts said. “Highwood has done that since I’ve been living up here.
“People … tell me the same thing, that it’s always been that way and that’s Highwood — a little community with a big heart,” he added.
Jess Ortega, Celebrate Highwood’s president and co-owner of the Highwood children-oriented business, Giggles Play, was delighted that the Nite ‘N Gale joined Nashwood’s country music roster, even if for one night only.
“We are so blessed and lucky to have had them in town,” Ortega said.
Thousands of people were expected to attend over the three days of Nashwood to experience country music at 20 venues with nearly 100 performances. New this year was a children’s Honky Tonk Tots entertainment venue on Saturday and Sunday.
“We’re not happy about it,” Sam Bassin of Northbrook said about the closing of the Nite ‘N Gale. “They should keep it. I think it’s going to change the whole street.”
The opening performance of three on Friday at Nite ‘N Gale was Liam Sheridan, 16, a Lake Forest High School junior, who played harmonica and an acoustic guitar. Sheridan also performed at 28 Mile Distilling Company’s Bourbon Lounge as the Liam Sheridan Band.
In fourth grade, Sheridan began playing violin at school, “and that’s the only instrument I’ve ever had lessons on,” the musician told the audience. “I taught myself piano; taught myself guitar. I taught myself harmonica.”
Sheridan’s goals include writing original music, and said his influences include Rascal Flatts and Lake County.
Looking ahead, he said, “I think I just want to put myself out there and be who I am, and hopefully, something will come of that.”
