Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page TAB-8

NEWS Lovells of Lake Forest reaches journey's end FOREST- KARIE ANGELL LUCPIONEER PRESS PHOTOS Capt. James Lovell of Lake Forest years in business. stands in front of his family's restaurant, Local restaurant will close its doors for good April 12 By Karie Angell Luc Pioneer Press Though Lovells of Lake Forest will shut its doors for good on Sunday, April 12, the memories and the memorabilia will remain. "Tons of memories. Tons of memories here at Lovells," said Chef Jay Lovell, who runs the restaurant along with his wife, Darice Lovell.

Jay's father, Capt. James Lovell, opened Lovells on April 23, 1999, and sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law 10 years ago. NorthShore University Health-System will close on the property in May at an undisclosed price. The restaurant's closure comes after the country's economic nosedive, when business just wasn't there to support luxury dining in a 300-seat setting, according to Jay Lovell. "Three years ago, I saw the writing on the wall," he said.

"2008 is what really killed us." "We started off with a bang, we hit a lull when the rest of the country did and we were able to keep our doors open because they kept coming in," Darice Lovell added. Last May, the couple opened a smaller, casual home-cooking diner-style restaurant in High-wood (766 Sheridan Road) called Jay Lovells. "It's time for us to move on," she said. On April 2 Darice's birthday Jay's parents, Marilyn and James Lovell, stopped by the restaurant. "It's been a pleasure for me to participate in this restaurant over the years and we're very sorry to see the restaurant close," said James Lovell, who was one of the original Apollo 13 astronauts.

Memorabilia from that flight, and others he took, is featured at the restaurant, and will stay with the family. That includes a framed "Apollo 13" movie poster signed by actor Tom Hanks, who portrayed Lovell in a 1995 film based on the mission. "Jim, based on the true story," Hanks wrote. "Honored to com mand, Tom Hanks." Other items at Lovells, including draperies, tables, chairs, buffets and commercial equipment, will be auctioned off April 22 at the restaurant. The public is welcome.

"We have some sadness that we're no longer going to be here," James Lovell said. "We certainly enjoyed the ambience and the friends of Lake Forest who have come in and we've met many, many friends here." Darice Lovell said her father-in-law's presence at the restaurant made the place extra-special. "How many times do you get to meet a walking piece of history?" she said. "He is very generous with his time, he'll walk around to tables, he'll greet people, he's always available to a young Boy Scout, he'll write Eagle Scout letters." His celebrity has brought famed names to Lovells, including Tom Hanks, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Frank Borman, actress Barbara Eden and boxer George Foreman. Then there are the VTPs from Naval Station Great Lakes, who have gotten special treatment over the past eight years.

"If a recruit comes in who has just graduated, I feed them for free," Jay Lovell said. Beyond the atmosphere and the memorabilia on the walls, the menu itself has helped make Lovells a local institution. Jay Lovell says the wine dinners are his specialty. "It's a hard job, but somebody's got to taste them, you know?" he says. He's also proud of his signature trio of filets dish.

"Our steaks are like butter. They melt in your mouth," Darice Lovell said, complimenting the chef. Jay and Darice, Lake Forest residents of about 10 years, met at Kendall College when it was located in Evanston. They have two daughters, Emily, 20, and Katie, 16, a Lake Forest High School junior. Along with his siblings Barbara, Susan and Jeff, Jay grew up on the east and west coasts but spent most of his time in Houston, Texas.

Darice lived on Chicago's south shore until age 12, then moved to Flossmoor, where she graduated from Homewood- HS which is closing after almost 16 "It's a classic restaurant that we'll miss," Williams said. "We had to say goodbye." The April 22 auction, open to all, starts at 9 am. at Lovells, 915 S. Waukegan Road. Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Jay and Darice Lovell of Lake Forest stand in front of the painting "Steeds of Apollo," painted by Lumen Winter in 1969. The painting hangs over the bar at Lovells of Lake Forest, which closes April 12. Lovells of Lake Forest is full of memorabilia belonging to famed astronaut James Lovell. Flossmoor High School in 1974. They have been married for 23 years.

Darice offered a special message to their customers, who supported the restaurant for nearly two decades. "We just wanted to say thank you for all of the years of support you have given us," she said. Diners April 2 said they were sad to see Lovells close. "The food is fantastic and we've met the captain a few times," said Julie Kroll of Gurnee, who had lunch with her sister Cathy Williams of Round Lake Park. "He walks around the tables and says hello," said Kroll, showing a cellphone photograph of her son Matt, who was 11 when he had his picture taken with the.