Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Khayat.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mark. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In the early 80’s, my mother was in Real Estate and had listed a bar on the state line of IL and WI. In her listing agreement, it stated if your property did not sell in 90 days, she would purchase it.
The early 80’s brought in very high interest rates, some topping 18% and the market dropped out which left no choice but to purchase the property listed (the Bar on the WI side of the state line). Needless to say, the drinking age chanreged in IL and our location was a huge success.
After being forced into the business, I continued to go on and accumulate 8 locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, my venture in the restaurant life has been driven by hard work and thinking faster than my competition. My biggest struggle was in 1989 when after closing for the night and transporting the nightly sales of multiple locations someone had figured out my nightly routine and ran me off the road and robbed me.
During the car accident, I became a paraplegic forcing me to down size and almost leave the industry.
After struggling with myself for 2 years in my determination to walk again, I finally accepted the fact that I would be in a wheelchair for life.
Since that day, all my other senses sharpened. The walking was the smallest part of my success and my life opened up like the sun had come out.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Austin’s – what should we know?
My restaurant is located in Libertyville, IL. We have a 12000 foot building which concentrates on the total night out.
Austin’s has managed to juggle many different types of people and bring them together effortlessly.
Austin’s is a full service restaurant with one of the very best Music Venues attached named The Fuel Room. Austin’s Fuel Room has hosted artists ranging from Vince Niel, Gavin Rossdale, Dierks Bentley, Justin Moore to local Midwest talent including Ron Hawking.
Austin’s Fuel Room has been voted best venue 7 years running by the Reader’s Choice Awards and has always been praised by the nation artist playing the room.
Austin’s versatile menu leaves no one behind with it Urban American menu, Austin’s has been featured on the TV show Chicago’s Best featuring our Asada Fried and Fajitas, Austin’s just last year won “How America Burgers” a national contest Jennie-O looked to find the best Turkey burger in America and Austin’s beat out all the competition.
Winning the “How America Burgers” competition landed us on 5 Million packages of ground turkey meat with our recipe and Jennie-O donating to Saint Jude’s.
If you’re in the mood for dinning Alfresco, Austin’s award winning 365 patio is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy great food and friendship.
Austin’s 365 Patio is good to go weather storms are out or snow is falling, our open air patio has all the technology withy out knowing or seeing it, The patio roof and walls closes with a touch of a button, the wall drop with wind and bug screen for those summer nights or heavy venal see thru polymer.
So what we are most proud about is that we have created the perfect environment whether you’re out with the kids, looking for great entertainment, our just enjoying a quite night out.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I credit my successes to the strongest women I have ever met, my mother who started in a concentration camp and propelled herself to a Real Estate Icon.
Contact Info:
- Address: 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
- Website: Austinssaloon.com Fuelroom.com
- Phone: 847-549-1972
- Email: Mark@fuelroom.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinssaloon/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustinsSaloon
- Other: patiolife365.com
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
