Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Labrana.
Renee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been in the bar/ food business since I was 13 washing dishes in a bakery. I can honestly say I have worked every position in the restaurant and bar business, from small neighborhood joints to opening restaurants for lettuce entertain you. I have had numerous other jobs throughout the years but almost always kept a side job of waiting tables or bartending. I think for me, once it got in my blood their really was no turning back and a brief hiatus of two years out of the business solidified my love of it. Shortly after that, I bought a bar on the north side and with not a lot of money but a lot of my own sweat equity I opened my first place with a silent business partner.
Within 1 1/2 years, I expanded to three times the size. After 5 years our business relationship went south and I was out of a job and pretty distraught. I started looking again for another place and really didn’t want to leave Rogers Park. I came across an Italian restaurant called Gruppo Di Amici that was looking to sell. I purchased the business in July of 2013 and again with my own sweat equity (and a bit more money) and amazing customers from my previous bar we had the doors open in 2 months.
It has been a roller coaster of4 almost 5 years but I still love it And the community surrounding it. I have worked hard to establish relationships in our little Jarvis Square area and that has really grown to an outreach in our immediate area. Right now I feel I am moving that to the next level by creating an organization for women in the bar, craft beer and cider business, Crafty Women Chicago, that promotes, educates and women in this business or helps women interested in breaking into it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely losing my first business when it was really at a high point. That was a big hit with my own psyche and abilities and even made me consider moving back to Detroit to Open something.
Please tell us about R Public House.
I think part of what my business is about is in the name. R Public House was actually the brainstorm of my customers. They wanted me to call it, Renee’s, but that’s really just not in my makeup, so they suggested R Public House, but actually pronounced Our Public House because it truly is a Public House for the neighborhood.
You can meet neighbors, catch up on the news of the neighborhood, celebrate birthdays, mourn passings and raise money for a local charity or create awareness to needs in our area. We just happen to add to that some great craft beers (many locally sourced) and some really good burgers and brunch.
I think what sets us apart and what I am most proud of is our working with local organizations for fundraising. I truly believe you are only as good as your neighborhood. And I am really proud of my staff who take this a step further and continue that philanthropic theme by organizing their own way of using their job to give to what is important to them.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
We spent summers on a lake in Michigan. It was not posh it was really just a trailer in a trailer park on a man-made mile long lake but I loved every minute of it. I think I really tested my self-awareness during this time and was continuously learning and pushing myself without even realizing it.
Pricing:
- Burgers $11-$14
- Pizzas $11-$14
- Brunch $10-$14
- Brunch mimosas and bloodies $4-$5
Contact Info:
- Address: 1508 W Jarvis Ave Chicago, Il 60626
- Website: RPublichouse.com
- Phone: 8722087916
- Email: renee@RPublichouse.com
- Instagram: RPublichouse
- Facebook: R Public House
- Twitter: @rpublichouse
- Yelp: R Public House
- Other: R Public House
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.
