Klas (restaurant)
| Klas | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | 5734 W. Cermak Road, Cicero, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°51′4.168″N 87°46′5.19″W / 41.85115778°N 87.7681083°W |
| Completed | 1922 |
| Demolished | 2022 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
Klas was a restaurant in Cicero, Illinois, founded in 1922 and shuttered in 2016, which specialized in Bohemian cuisine.[1][2][3][4] The restaurant served numerous high ranking Czech and American officials, along with many other notable individuals, and has served as an important institution for the Czech American community. The building was demolished in 2022.
History[edit]
The restaurant was founded in 1922 by Adolph Klas, who was born in Plzeň and moved to the United States at age 26.[1][2][4] Adolph Klas had previously worked at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, the Blackstone Hotel, and the Drake Hotel.[2] The restaurant was redecorated in 1934, featuring the artwork of Mary Adamec and Albert Rohls.[2] Russian singer and artist Gennadi Gordeyev, who fought against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War, painted multiple murals that are inside the restaurant's Russian Room.[5][1][6] The first floor bar room was rebuilt to replicate the appearance of a 14th Century Bohemian tap room.[7] The restaurant's dining rooms were named after their respective decor, and included the Moravian Room, the Russian or Boyar Room, the George Washington Room, the Fountain Room, and the Garden Room, which overlooked a garden with a fountain and wishing well.[8] The restaurant was elaborately decorated, with hand carved woodwork, a wrought-iron balcony, stained glass windows, historically themed paintings and murals, chandeliers, cuckoo clocks, and other European antiques and objects of art.[8][6][9][10][11]
Adolph Klas died in 1962 and his widow Ella died in 1966.[1] Ella Klas's brother, Charlie Hoch, would run the restaurant until 1978.[12][13][9] In 1980, the restaurant was sold to Milena and Laddie Kindl and Jaroslav Kratky.[9][11]
Notable guests[edit]
Klas has served President George H. W. Bush and several Czech presidents.[14][15] Judy Baar Topinka launched her campaign for Governor of Illinois at Klas in 2005.[16] In 2012, a reception in honor of the Prime Minister and Members of the Government of the Czech Republic was held at Klas, which was attended by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Nečas, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Defense Alexandr Vondra, musician Ivan Král, and former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.[17] Other notable individuals who have dined at the restaurant include Kim Novak, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, and composer Sigmund Romberg.[6][10][18]
Closure and efforts to save building[edit]
The restaurant closed in 2016.[1] It was sold to developers in 2019, and faced demolition when the owner applied for a demolition permit.[1][15] However, the demolition permit expired and it was put back on the market in 2021.[1][15] In May 2021, Landmarks Illinois listed the building as one of Illinois's most endangered historic sites.[1][15][19] A coalition of interested parties led by entrepreneur Marek Kutek, American Sokol President Jean Hruby, and immigration attorney Michael F. Jordan had an option to purchase the building by October 2, 2021, and raised money to purchase the building and ultimately restore it and reopen it as a museum, restaurant, banquet hall, and center for immigrant services.[1][20][15] However, their efforts were unsuccessful and the building was demolished in late May and early June 2022.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rodkin, Dennis. "What's That Building? Klas Restaurant", WBEZ. July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "A Small Slice of Old Bohemia Is New Klas on Cermak", Cicero Life. February 4, 1934. p. 7.
- ^ Hammond, David. "Klas", Chicago Reader. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ a b Deuchler, Douglas (2006). Cicero Revisited. Arcadia Publishing. p. 85. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Quinn, Myers. "Ask Geoffrey: Cicero's Klas Restaurant", WTTW. July 29, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ a b c Esposito, Stefano. "With Cicero's Klas Restaurant under contract, its Old World Russian murals could be lost", Chicago Sun-Times. September 6, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ "Cicero's Unique Restaurant", Cicero Life. January 12, 1938. p. 12.
- ^ a b Kann, Don. "Klas Commemorates With 40 Years of Fine Food", Chicago Tribune. June 28, 1962. p. W11.
- ^ a b c Saccaro, Susan. "Landmark reopens on Cermak Road", Cicero Life. December 3, 1980. p. 5.
- ^ a b Pecoraro, C. P. "Czech this! Klas still charms after 77 years", The Life. February 25, 1999. p. 8.
- ^ a b Pecoraro, C. P. "Kratky vows to keep Klas surviving, thriving", The Life. February 7, 2001. p. 33.
- ^ Smith, Evelyn. "Silver Celebration: Gala Party for Mr. and Mrs. Klas", Berwyn Life. July 28, 1944. p. 3.
- ^ "Klas': Culture with a K", Cicero Life. May 14, 1978. p. 4.
- ^ Ruzich, Joseph. "Cicero's roots entwined in restaurant", Chicago Tribune. February 27, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Klas Restaurant", Landmarks Illinois. May 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Pearson, Rick. "Topinka joins crowded field; GOP leader hints list should shrink", Chicago Tribune. December 1, 2005.
- ^ "Reception in honor of the Prime Minister and Members of the Government of the Czech Republic attending NATO Summit in Chicago", Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago. May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jon. "Accordionist puts the squeeze on musical notions, Chicago Tribune. April 20, 2004. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Charles J. "Illinois' endangered buildings: From Thompson Center to 'Green Book' sites", Chicago Tribune. May 5, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- ^ "Group hopes to save historic Klas Restaurant in Cicero", FOX 32 Chicago. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
