The Hobson House restaurant billed itself as an institution, for 30 years serving hearty, homemade buffet lunches in a village that takes pride in its past.
But the landlord, John Mangel Sr., wanted something more in step with the times. He had ideas for the decor. He wanted hours longer than 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
So Hobson House was denied a renewal of a 10-year lease that expired a year ago. It shut its doors New Year’s Eve because negotiations over changes at the restaurant ended without agreement.
“We’d like to offer a little more health-conscious entrees,” said Mangel’s son, John Jr., who is working on finding a new tenant for the split-level frame house. John Mangel Sr. was unavailable for comment.
Hobson House owner Valerie Russell expressed exasperation over getting kicked out of the space the restaurant has occupied since her late husband’s parents founded it in 1963. She has operated the business since her first husband, Richard Smevold, died three years ago.
Russell said she tried adding light salads at Mangel’s request and light entrees. But the changes brought complaints from longtime customers, and she decided to stick with a formula that had brought in 300 to 400 people per day.
“He said, `People don’t want mayonnaise. People don’t want potatoes. People don’t want casseroles. People want light salads,’ ” Russell said. “He had an agenda, but my loyalty was to my business and to my customers.”
Mangel, whose father has ownership interests in four Long Grove businesses, said they want only to improve on a good thing.
“We wish people would give us a chance before they judge us,” Mangel said.