The Mill aims for late summer opening after renovating former Cronies in Machesney Park

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — A husband-and-wife team is busy renovating the former Cronies Bar & Grill into a new restaurant that caters to families and live music fans.

Amanda and Ryan Miller, who own Machesney Park-based Miller Towing, purchased the bar at 9032 N. Second St. last summer and have been remodeling since.

The final product will have a light country theme and be called The Mill Restaurant and Saloon.

“Ultimately the goal is family-friendly,” Amanda Miller said. “We have a little one … so we wanted it to be an environment where families can come in for dinner with their kids, then maybe bring the kids back home to a sitter and come back and have a drink.”

The new restaurant had its liquor license approved last July, and the Millers initially planned a fall opening until renovations took longer than anticipated.

“We’re probably looking at mid- to late-summer right now, just due to being able to obtain different products, materials, etc.,” Amanda Miller said.

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The entire facade of the restaurant has been remodeled, and the old bar has been replaced. They’ve also changed the color scheme and overall aesthetics of the restaurant.

The cuisine will be American fare, with burgers, wings, chicken, salads, a regular fish fry and more.

“We’re still nailing down the final menu items and a couple of the recipes,” Amanda Miller said.

They’re also planning to have live music and other live events such as a comedy night.

“We’re also going to be open for suggestions from the patrons on different types of things they want to see,” she said. “We want it to be friendly, inviting: a family-friendly relaxing place where people can hang out and not think about real life for awhile.”

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Cronies closed in 2019 after a fatal shooting at the bar and a pledge from Village Hall to hold the owners accountable for safety at special events. It had operated for 13 years.

Ryan and Amanda Miller both have experience in the restaurant and service industry, but this is their first venture owning a bar and restaurant.

“We love Machensey Park, we live in Machesney Park, Miller Towing is based out of Machesney Park,” Amanda Miller said. “We really love the community and hope we’re around for a long time.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.