Winter, fall, summer or spring, Old Town Square melds the best of vintage and modern and brings the community together to shop at small retail stores, access services of local businesses, have a brew or a burger or enjoy a myriad of outdoor festivals and other events.
Nestled next to Old Town Park at Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road, Old Town features small businesses and eateries in restored buildings on the site of the Village’s first settlement. It boasts the village’s oldest building, the First Baptist Church of Christ, which was constructed in 1849 and now houses a repository of local history, the Bloomingdale Park District Museum.
The village sparked the revitalization of Old Town in 2016 with infrastructure improvements, new street lights, landscaping, bike racks and benches – all designed to enhance the area’s beauty and comfort. It’s the perfect place to bike, walk, enjoy the scenery or purchase fresh produce or flowers at the farmers market that takes place from June through September.
Want to listen to music under the stars? The park district offers its summer concert series in the park, and the square is home to some long-standing businesses including the Bloomingdale School of Music, which has provided quality music instruction since 1989 and Pickle Piano, which for more than 30 years has restored old pianos into the magnificent works of art they were intended to be.
If you’re hungry, be sure to visit one of the local restaurants. Rooster’s Bar & Grill is a longtime favorite housed in a picturesque barn, and offering a menu of well-loved American fare along with a patio and lower pub level. D’s Treats offers a variety of sweets and ice cream for everyone to enjoy.
The craft beer craze has not gone overlooked in the square where Wolfden Brewery offers pale ales, stouts, finger foods and more. Plans are on tap to add food trucks and a dog run so patrons can play with their pets while sipping a locally-made brew.
Alcentro Trattoria, overlooking the piazza and Old Town Park, is a relaxing spot for family and friends to enjoy delicious Italian cuisine, food and fun. The restaurant showcases thin-crust pizzas made in a wood-burning oven, regional specialty dishes from Abruzzo and Sardinia, and a full-service bar offering specialty cocktails and regional wines.
The square is the place to be in the fall and winter. Septemberfest on the first Saturday in September features food and craft vendors along with musical entertainment in the evening. The Festival of Lights, held in early December, brings the community together for a tree lighting, music and a visit from Santa – at Pan American Bank & Trust – so be sure to visit Old Town to see all the area has to offer.