New Lenox's Long-Vacant TJ's Bar Sells, Tru Country Bar Coming Soon
NEW LENOX, IL — You’ve probably driven past it and wondered when someone will finally buy it. Or would someone ever buy it, and what would it become? The long-vacant TJ’s Bar and Grill has long stood empty, lingering for more years than some can remember. Some struggle to picture what it looks like inside, and others know the stories the building would tell if only those walls could talk.
But there’s new hope for the blighted building at 222 W. Maple St.—it’s been purchased, with plans to bring a bar back to life on the property.
New Lenox residents Eden and Phil Wiechec, owners of Tru Country Bar and Grill in Channahon, closed on the property July 17, and plan to bring another location of their patriotic-themed bar into the space.
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“It’s official!” Eden Wiechec shared on social media, with a photo of the building. “Tru Country Bar & Grill is coming to New Lenox! Super excited to bring this to my town!”
Mayor Tim Baldermann confirmed the news.
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“I sat with them probably 6 to 8 weeks ago, they told me what they wanted to do,” Baldermann said. “I thought it was a good idea. I thought it would be great for the town.”
The bar’s current location, at 25365 South Fryer St. in Channahon, opened in March 2024 and touts itself as the “most patriotic bar in Illinois.”
“We are proud to be serving up the area’s best themed menu and unbeatable drink specials and live music,” the Facebook page for Tru Country proclaims.
Photos of the Channahon location show a ceiling design and lighting resembling the American flag, a design they’ll carry over to the new location. And the burger at the top of its menu? The Proud American.
The burger’s name was a coincidence then, but now seems fitting, Eden Wiechec told Patch.
The current location has been a huge success, she said, so they’ll keep much of the same menu. They’re eager to bring their business—which is named after 19-year-old daughter Tru—to New Lenox.
They hope to have patio space, and have been cleared to have live music, likely country bands, Wiechec said.
“This is our town,” she said. “We’ve driven past there for years and years, so we’re excited.”
The building will require intensive overhaul, Baldermann said, and the building department will need to assess what steps will need to be taken for the couple to bring their plans to fruition.
“They’re fully committed to making it happen,” Baldermann said. “They have to gut and re-do the whole inside, but that’s what they’re looking at doing there. It’s going to be different for our town, and we’re really excited about seeing their plans. We haven’t gotten anything from them yet, other than that they closed on the property. We’re excited to see what they propose. It’s going to be fantastic.”
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Wiechec said barring any unexpected issues, they are aiming for opening in 10 months.
“We move fast,” she said. The Channahon location saw a similar turnaround.
Village officials have been supportive of their endeavor, she said.
“Everyone’s been great,” she said. “It really was nice talking to everyone.”
Baldermann added many over the years have wanted to buy the property, but parking has been an issue. Eden and Phil Wiechec were able to purchase the property next door, a lot that will allow space for parking.
“We’re really excited to see it,” he said. “We’re going to work with them every step of the way.”
When asked how long it’s been vacant, Baldermann chuckled.
“I moved here 30 years ago this month, and I was in it once probably 29.5 years ago,” he said. “I don’t know how long it’s been vacant, but for the majority of the time I’ve lived here, that’s for sure.
“It’s good news, I’m happy to see them investing in our community.”
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