There are not many people left in St. Charles who remember what the view was out the front windows of the Hotel Baker when it opened in 1928. But there was no First St. Development back then. Instead, it was a mass of railroad tracks, switches, loading docks and a train station. Later, the tracks were removed, and several businesses opened in the vacant space. But today, the area is being revitalized through a massive redevelopment project. Large office and retail spaces are being created the carry on the historic nature of St. Charles, even as they provide modern amenities.
Vintage 53 is a perfect fit for this new/old area. Mario, the owner of vintage 53, has been developing the idea for this wine bar for almost 10 years. His love for wine dates back to his childhood. Not for the actual drink of course, but for the memories he has of his family gathering around the dinner table, drinking wine, and enjoying each other’s company. Now, he has a location where he can share that love of wine and shared company.
"Vintage 53 opened in late March of 2017. The wheels were set in motion almost a decade ago when owner Mario Grado honed in his goal of owning a restaurant to owning a wine bar. With a degree in small business management and entrepreneurship, he was halfway there, but with no prior restaurant experience, there was a lot to learn! Soon after opening, it was time to fine-tune and make the changes Vintage 53 needed. This included expanding the cheese & charcuterie selections, adding beer, rearranging furniture about a dozen times, and most recently adding cocktails and spirits. At the 5 month mark, Mario and his staff are excited and happy with the fast evolution of Vintage 53 and are excited for what the future holds.
Vintage 53 is a rustic-industrial wine bar in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, Illinois. Our wine list was carefully developed with familiar wines, as well as a unique selection for people wanting to try something new. We are pleased to offer over 90 wines from around the world, many served by the glass. We also have a diverse and unique menu of small plates, flatbreads, gourmet popcorns, and desserts. Additionally, pick and choose your favorite cheese, charcuterie, and accouterments to create a beautiful spread, served on slate boards. Performances by local musicians every Friday and Saturday offer guests a one of a kind experience.
Mario, the owner of vintage 53, has been developing the idea for this wine bar for almost 10 years. His love for wine dates back to childhood. Not for the actual drink of course, but for the memories he has of his family gathering around the dinner table, drinking wine, and enjoying each other’s company. He remembers his parents always having another bottle on hand (usually a red). Over time, Mario developed a similar appreciation for red wines.
A wine's "vintage" is the year in which the grapes were harvested. The year in which that wine was "born." Sadly, Mario lost his dad unexpectedly in early 2016. The name vintage 53 is in honor of his Dad, Ben, who was born in 1953. It is Mario's hope that his guests will feel the same sense of togetherness and joy that he remembers his family experiencing over a glass of wine.
For more information visit http://www.vintage53.com/
