When it came time to reinvest into Palmer Place, former owners Steve and Phil Palmer realized that with an upcoming retirement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and construction, it was time to let the business go. 

After almost 40 years of ownership, the Palmer family sold the restaurant known as Palmer Place. On Jan. 18, Leslie and Dave Tarman retained full ownership of the business. 

Tarman was drawn to the restaurant’s history and its prime location, he said. Originally, the pair wanted to open another branch of “The Silo Restaurant” they own in Lake Bluff at a different location in La Grange; however, they realized Palmer Place was for sale. The established successful business caught their eye and they bought it.

“We’re very eagerly embracing the new owners, Leslie and Dave Tarman, and the exciting ideas that they have coming for us,” La Grange Business Association Executive Director Nancy Cummings said. “We appreciate the fact that it’s still the same family-run business, which is part of the culture of the La Grange business community.”

When deciding who to sell the restaurant to, the Tarmans stood out compared to other buyers, Steve said.

“We actually thought that they were the best fit for the community, the closest to being in the family business that we were, and were on the same page as us about how we wanted to continue things [with the business],” Steve said.

That includes ensuring Palmer Place stays a community gathering spot, Steve said, a place where neighbors can become friends, families can gather, and people of all generations can meet. 

In the future, Palmer Place’s hours and logo will be changed, Tarman said. But the fundamentals, such as the award winning burgers and corned beef sandwiches, will stay the same. They will also continue to hold the annual ShamRock Fest around St. Patrick’s Day, which happened on March 12, 13 and 17 this year.

“We hope to really build on what Phil and Steve Palmer built here,” Tarman said. “They did such a tremendous job.”