Oak Lawn Signs Cooper's Hawk at Stony Creek Promenade

Not only is Mariano’s Fresh Market still coming but one of the hottest restaurateurs has signed on at the Stony Creek Promenade development at 111th Street and Cicero Avenue.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants will lease the 10,000-square-foot space at the development, bringing its famous eclectic, contemporary American cuisine and Napa-style tasting rooms to Oak Lawn.

The lease is contingent on the Oak Lawn Village Board approving a modification to the village liquor code at Tuesday's board meeting, adding a new classification for a winery. The modification is expected to receive unanimous board support.

Founded by south suburban native Tim McEnery, Cooper’s Hawk has earned over 200 wine awards and was named “Breakout Brand 2013” and “Hot Concept 2010” Winner by Nation’s Restaurant News. Most recently, Cooper’s Hawk was selected as MenuMasters Winner in the category of “Menu Trendsetter” and was ranked the eighth fastest-growing Chicago company by Crain’s Chicago Business for 2013.

The Countryside-based restaurant company expects to open the Oak Lawn location--it’s eighth in Illinois, and twentieth in the nation--in early 2015, the same time Mariano’s is projected to open. The upscale, casual dining restaurant will bring an estimated 150 jobs to the area.

Cooper’s Hawk is known for its sophisticated signature dishes designed to pair perfectly with wine made in its private winery. Each Cooper’s Hawk location features an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, Napa-style tasting room and retail gift store, according to the company’s website.

Like its sister locale in Orland Park, the Oak Lawn Cooper’s Hawk will feature a distinctive layout and decor, including outdoor dining by the development’s planned water feature.

McEnery and his team are known for taking highly calculated risks and their meticulous due diligence before entering new markets since opening the original Cooper’s Hawk in Orland Park in 2005.

The company’s research revealed that 390,000 people live in the immediate area, but with few upscale dining options, aside from such homegrown legends as Palermo’s on 95th. Cooper’s Hawk's interest was piqued when approached by Hamilton Partners, the developer of Stony Creek Promenade.

“We have often had guests in our Orland Park location mention that Oak Lawn would be a great area for a Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant,” Ron Dee, senior vice president of development at Cooper’s Hawk, said in a news release. “When Hamilton Partners approached us to be part of a brand new retail center including a new Mariano's supermarket, we knew the synergy of our two brands would be a winning combination.”

Dee also praised Mayor Bury and the village’s business development team for being “supportive every step of the way."

The mayor was equally delighted that Cooper’s Hawk was coming to Oak Lawn, delivering on the village’s promise to bring an upscale dining establishment to the 111th Street and Cicero Avenue development.

“Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant will be a perfect fit in our community and at Stony Creek Promenade.” Bury said. “I know area residents will really love being able to enjoy their excellent food and wine right in the neighborhood, and I love their plans for outdoor dining near the water feature. This is a great win for Oak Lawn.”