Jimmy's Grill Owner Poised to Take Over BlackFinn

A popular downtown Naperville bar will soon get a new name and clean slate.

Jim Bergeron, owner of Jimmy's Grill, 254 S. Washington St., is making all of the preparations to take over BlackFinn American Saloon, a bar which has been plagued over the last year with safety issues and code violations. 

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As far as how quickly the transition will take place, Bergeron told Naperville City Council members Tuesday night, "We're ready to go when you're ready to go."

Bergeron said he has turned in the liquor applications to the city, completed background checks for employees and could have "locks changed" by early next week. 

"The faster we can get in there, the faster we can start correcting some of these issues and getting the safety up to where it needs to be," he told council members Tuesday. 

While Naperville police have curbed violent downtown incidents as of late, BlackFinn has still been a trouble spot. Seven people were charged and one employee was injured after a bar brawl broke out at the downtown bar on May 12.

After a brawl in October, city officials temporarily suspended BlackFinn's late-night liquor permit for three days in November. The bar was also fined $1,000 and agreed to install an ID checking system, security cameras as well as complete training for its security staff.

Along with changing BlackFinn's name and management, Bergeron plans to shift the focus from alcohol to food and "operate an upscale family restaurant and tavern," according to city documents.

The yet to be named restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, closing at 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends. After dinner hours, underage access to the restaurant will be prohibited and a dress code will be enforced, according to the city.

Bergeron has 30 years of restaurant experience, including owning and operating Jimmy's Grill for 15 years. He also currently owns the building that houses BlackFinn, according to the city. 

"I prefer to push as fast as we can as far as getting in there and really starting securing the building and getting started off on the right foot," Bergeron said Tuesday.