Above / Young Don Feldott, in red shirt, visits with patrons back in the 1960s. (Photo courtesy of Teri Feldott)
Above / Anna Zimmerman and Paul Hinterlong were among many familiar faces that attended The Lantern’s block party to benefit Operation Support Our Troops America.
UPDATE, Aug. 21, 2016 / Glorious sunshine and many folks who recall having a toast to their 21st birthdays at The Lantern joined the block party with live bands on stage Sunday afternoon to celebrate the first 50 years of local tavern and grill.
“We’ve been dancing to the music all afternoon,” said Ann Jansen who attended the festivities with her husband and sisters, taking a break in lawn chairs placed along Chicago Avenue. “The mayor said The Lantern should do this every year.”
PN also learned from Naperville native Ron Keller that the bar that preceded The Lantern on that popular corner was called “Rainbow Tap.” If only the walls could talk about all the plans that were set there.
Cheers to continued success at the popular grill where hamburgers, chili and popcorn always are tasty with a cold beverage.
A portion of the proceeds from The Lantern 50th Anniversary event will benefit Operation Support Our Troops America.
Original Post, Aug. 13, 2016 / To celebrate its 50th anniversary, The Lantern is planning a block party from noon to 6PM on Sun., Aug. 21, along Chicago Avenue between Main and Washington streets.
Live music will be played by Semple (Keith Semple was on NBC’s The Voice) and Jake & Elwood and The Band.
“We’ll be raising funds for Operation Support Our Troops America as well as just having a big anniversary party!” said organizer Teri Feldott, founder Don Feldott’s daughter-in-law.
“I can tell you that The Lantern has been family-owned for 50 years,” she said. “We have tons and tons of customers who have met their spouses there, too! Many of our employees have worked there for 10-plus years, even 20-plus and 30-plus.”
The day of the anniversary event The Lantern will offer a very limited menu—burgers, hot dogs and chips.
“And popcorn, of course!” Teri Feldott added. “We’ll be raising money by selling koozies and other items as well as hopefully having a 50/50 raffle.”
“I’ve been fortunate to call myself an employee of The Lantern for the last 21 years,” said manager Brenda Dieter. “It’s truly a second home to me for many reasons…”
Dieter went on to say she met her husband at The Lantern over banter between Cubs and the White Sox. Today they have a “beautiful family that also calls The Lantern home, where everyone is more like family.”
“I was lucky enough to work for a family-run business with great co-workers,” said Dieter. “They taught me the ins and outs of the business and I feel so beyond privileged to call myself the manager of The Lantern, a place that forever will mean the world to me…”
Dieter has seen downtown boom during the last 21 years as well as survive three floods, crazy holiday weekends and many Thanksgiving mornings at The Lantern after the Lions Club Turkey Trot.
“I hope to retire from The Lantern one day, sharing many more memories and good times… It’s such an honor to call this not only my job, but my home and family,” Dieter said.
The public is welcome to join the Feldotts and the Dieters to celebrate the first 50 years of The Lantern.
