Landmark Shrine Restaurant closes in Belleville, apparent casualty of coronavirus
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from Matt Stukenberg, co-owner of St. Lorenzo’s Hospitality.
The Shrine Restaurant & Banquet Center in Belleville has closed after more than 50 years of serving lunch and dinner to local residents and out-of-town visitors and hosting wedding receptions, anniversary parties and other special occasions.
St. Lorenzo’s Hospitality, the company that took over management last fall, made the announcement Friday on its website and Facebook page.
“It it our unfortunate duty and with great sadness that we announce the closure of the Shrine Restaurant effective Saturday,” it read. “... In an effort to remain healthy/safe and be in compliance with state regulations in place, the COVID-19 limitations for restaurants and banquet centers have had a detrimental effect on our financial stability.”
The restaurant was in the visitor center at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, a 200-acre Catholic retreat owned by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate religious order. People travel from all over the country for its pilgrimages, Way of Lights Christmas display and other activities, many staying in its hotel.
Matt Stukenberg, co-owner of St. Lorenzo’s, said the Shrine may offer banquet services at some point, but the restaurant will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
“It’s hard for us,” he said. “It’s an institution that’s been around for 50 years. It’s iconic in Belleville. We tried to do everything and anything we could to keep it going, but unfortunately, COVID had different ideas.”
Complicating factors
Stukenberg noted that the Shrine Restaurant catered to an older crowd, and he’s guessing that those customers may not be eating out much for a year or two, given that they’re at greater risk of serious health issues with the coronavirus.
Another complicating factor is that the restaurant was known for its soup and salad buffet, which involved strangers lining up and helping themselves to large pans of food.
“I don’t know how any buffet will survive long term in this environment,” Stukenberg said. “Just because it’s so restrictive in how you have to do everything No. 1, and No. 2, are people going to feel comfortable?”
The Rev. David Uribe, Shrine director, couldn’t be reached Monday for comment on the restaurant’s closure and how it will affect operations. The staff shared the news on Facebook Saturday with the following message:
“We at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows are saddened to hear this announcement. We pray for all restaurant and banquet center employees.”
$70,000 in renovations
In December, St. Lorenzo’s co-owner Josh Mazander said the company had spent $70,000 on renovations at the Shrine Restaurant, including new carpeting, tables and chairs. He was planning to revamp the menu in January, adding family style daily specials.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker closed restaurants on March 17 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, allowing only carryout, drive-thru, curbside pickup and delivery services. The state’s Restore Illinois plan to restart the economy began allowing outdoor dining on May 29 and indoor dining on June 26 with capacity limits and other restrictions.
The Shrine Restaurant reopened for indoor dining on June 26, according to its Facebook page. Over the next week, it advertised Sunday brunches, fried-chicken dinners and its “award-winning soup and salad buffet.”
The restaurant could seat up to 450 people for banquets. In its announcement Friday, St. Lorenzo’s asked people with reservations to call the Shrine at 618-397-6700 or email to bmertz@snows.org after July 13.
“We thank you for your constant support and business over the many years,” it continued. “Please pray for an end to this pandemic and safety of all. Many blessings.”
Lawsuit in progress
Last fall, St. Lorenzo’s replaced Oak Tree Management Services at the Shrine Restaurant. Oak Tree had been formed by the Keller family of Effingham while developing the Hofbräuhaus German restaurant and brewery across Illinois 15 from the Shrine.
The Oblates later severed ties with Oak Tree and filed a lawsuit in St. Clair County Court, alleging breach of contract and seeking a $171,766 judgment. The Keller family also faces a St. Louis County Circuit Court petition from Royal Banks of Missouri, asking for $21.7 million in loan repayments for the Hofbräuhaus.
The restaurant business was a new endeavor for Stukenberg and Mazander, who also serve as president and general manager of DMS Contracting in Mascoutah. They kept several longtime Shrine Restaurant employees on staff, including general manager Marsha Goodnick.
“It’s a beautiful place to be,” Mazander said in December. “It is really a jewel in the community. The fundamental reason why we decided to join the Oblates in serving out here is to help serve the community with the National Shrine.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 2:22 PM.
