Bob Karas: I have been working in the restaurant business as a busser since I was 10. I worked my way up through the chain until I graduated college (1992) when I earned a business manager degree. I went to work at Alexanders and took over operations. Two years later, I bought Rookies in St. Charles and then Squire S. Elgin, Rookies Elgin, Rookies Hoffman, Rookies Huntley, Alexanders St. Charles, Rookies Roselle, Rookies Geneva, Rookies Crystal Lake, Rochaus … now the up-and-coming Squire Ale House in Campton Hills.  

Growing up in it was a huge part. I always wanted to do a sports bar. I always liked and played sports, so it was a natural thing for me. Our restaurants are special because they are extensions of our homes and ourselves. It’s our own concept and creation, and it's very dear to us that it’s ours. We are hands-on, and we care. We respond to every email, Yelp, complaint, etc. It is very personal to me, and I care.

My parents were Greek immigrants who came here as adults. They didn’t speak English, so my siblings and I spoke for them and helped them do things. I had a lot of aunts and uncles here who didn’t speak English. I go back to Greece annually, but I haven’t been in 25 years. Our whole family — all six — came together and founded St. Sophia in Elgin, which has been a source of Greek community and church.

I think it's our family and the Greek hospitality. In Greece, people are very welcoming to strangers, very community and like to make people feel connected. In Greece, people in the same village feel closer than people 10 miles away on the edge of Greece. In America all the Greeks that are here are also connected.There is a word that we talk about every now and then - philoxenia (“philo”: friend – “xeno”: stranger); the whole word together means: friend of the stranger. That is why in our restaurant we are welcoming to our customers: it’s like we are serving our own family.  That is why we support our community, churches, baseball teams, little leagues, shelters, boys and girls club – He went on and on. We never say no to a gift card. If someone asks for a gift card donation, we always ask how many. We have never turned one down.

I’ve thought about that and I don’t know. I always wonder if my dad didn’t come to America from Greece what kind of person would I be. I think a lot has to do with where I grew up and my family. When I was younger I was a little shy, chunky … not talkative! The restaurant industry teaches you a lot about life and helps build confidence. I love it I am immersed in it. I live it breathe it. It’s my passion. If you don’t like this business, you will never survive. (I’m not normal, there is something wrong with me. I get home and wonder when I’m going back to the restaurant!)

My kids want my time, but my kids also cut me some slack — all the same, I am really proud of my children!

I love Thornwood. I’ve lived here since 2005 and have lived in five different houses (he laughs).  I was born and raised in Elgin and it’s right next to Elgin. It’s a great community, with a small-time feel with a big town. Close to everything. Great schools, great people. I bought the first house in Thornwood and the Squire at the same time. I bought a lot in West Dundee and wanted to live there but once I saw the development in Thornwood, everything was attractive about it, so I shifted focus there. All of my kids grew up in Thornwood and now that I have a 2-year-old I am staying here because of him.

I used to love sports, go to sporting events, and play sports (football in high school, and softball as an adult). All my holidays and events were really spent at the restaurants.  

Now it’s spending time with my kids and helping them establish their lives. People ask me all the time to come over or do stuff and I never can. They can still invite me, so I feel good!

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Business Contact

The Village Squire — Bob Karas

W: www.thevillagesquire.com