Even with a cool fall breeze in the air, FitzGerald’s patio still had a warm ambiance. On an autumn afternoon, wood burned in the firepit, stacks of hay bales served as impromptu benches and skeletons dressed in band tees sat at drum sets or held guitars. With bluegrass tunes flowing from the speakers, the place had a backyard essence. 

Into this scene walked FitzGerald’s co-owner Will Duncan, greeting customers and coworkers with a smile on his face.  

In March of 2020, Duncan purchased the business that has remained at 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn for 43 years. Since then, Duncan has worked to simultaneously keep the same identity and feel of the business that locals knew, while putting his own stamp on it.

In keeping with its reputation as a music venue, FitzGerald’s has several holiday events planned, such as A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch, performed by the Chris White Trio on every Saturday in December, or the 13th Annual Eggnog-Palooza with the Dozen Buzzin’ Cousins on Dec. 23. 

“I was always aware of FitzGerald’s,” said Duncan. “The first time I came here was just to see a show 20 years ago…in 2003, I came to see Deke Dickerson here at FitzGerald’s. It was a really memorable night, an amazing show. The place really kind of captured my imagination.”

After Duncan and his family moved to Elmhurst and he was still working downtown at music venues, such as Thalia Hall and the Promontory, “it became a little bit of a routine for me to stop at FitzGerald’s on my way home, to have a beer and just enjoy the atmosphere,” said Duncan. 

A year later, Duncan learned that FitzGerald’s had been for sale and started talking to the FitzGerald family, the previous owners, about sale prospects. For 18 months, Duncan and the FitzGerald family negotiated the deal and discussed the transition before settling. Duncan and his wife, Jess, signed off and officially became owners of FitzGerald’s on March 5, 2020. 

Both Duncan and the FitzGerald family decided to keep FitzGerald’s open throughout the entire transition. According to FitzGerald’s website, “The ownership transition achieved an uninterrupted experience for the many regular patrons, without closing for even one day.” Bill FitzGerald, previous FitzGerald’s owner and an OPRF graduate, said, “we were operating on March 4 and he took over on March 5. It was pretty cool, you know, and to the relief of a lot of people that knew us and knew that it was being sold.”

When talking about making the decision to buy FitzGerald’s, Duncan said, “I was at a point in my career where I was looking for the next step. Where I would be the sole owner and operator of my own business. It just kind of started to make sense that this was the move.”

Before his purchase of FitzGerald’s, Duncan had worked to gain lots of experience in the music industry as well as the hospitality industry. “I always had an interest in a career in music of some type, mostly performance or production. But that led me to working in bars and restaurants, because being a part time aspiring rock musician usually involves some bartending and waiting tables,” said Duncan.

Duncan’s first job in the music venue industry was at the Empty Bottle in Chicago, where he started as a doorstep staff. He then transitioned through multiple jobs in the venue such as bartender, lighting manager and production manager. “I got really immersed in the business of live music there, and how it blends with the hospitality industry, like bars and restaurants, and just kind of fell in love with that world,” said Duncan.

Duncan progressed his career in the music venue industry by moving on to work with the 16” On Center group in Chicago, a family of music venues and restaurants in the Chicago area. Some of the 16” On Center venues include the Empty Bottle, Space, Thalia Hall and the Salt Shed. “I gained a tremendous experience with the 16” On Center group,” said Duncan. “I helped open a series of businesses that comprised music venues, restaurants and bars all under one roof. So that’s where I learned the trade.”

Even though there were several offers on the purchasing of FitzGerald’s, the family decided that Duncan was the right person due to his extensive experience and interest in the music and hospitality industries. “We had some good interests from other parties and other established businesses… but never could quite seal the deal, until Will came along,” said FitzGerald. “I think he’s about the right age to kind of appreciate some of the roots music stuff we do. And yet he’s, he’s been involved with clubs in the city and he sees what my kids in their 20s and 30s are listening to.”

Jason Fox, a local music artist who has been performing at FitzGerald’s since 2007, shared his opinion on the influence of FitzGerald to its music artists. “FitzGerald’s was the ‘you made it.’ FitzGerald’s…it’s just such a cool place to play. You feel the past musicians when you’re on stage,” he said. “You don’t want to screw up. Everybody knows about FitzGerald’s. And so when you’re on stage, it’s just like you better put on a great performance.”

Not only is Fox a music artist, but he is also a community member who enjoys the business as a place to be able to gather with friends and family, as well as to be able to listen to music. “I love it. It’s our own little secret. It’s not a secret anymore. But it still is our own little neighborhood music venue, and I don’t think people in other towns have anything like this.” 

Lifelong Oak Park resident Terri Monaco had similar feelings about FitzGerald’s as she has seen the business grow over its time. “Back to when it was growing, FitzGerald’s bought the Side Bar. It was nice to just go for a small quaint experience,” said Monaco. FitzGerald’s has been a place of many memories in Monaco’s life, such as celebrating a high school reunion, gathering with her daughter’s Windmills softball team, watching her friends perform with their bands and chasing down their community truck, which was a traveling stage during COVID-19. 

Even with changes in ownership, the community members still find the same enjoyment and appreciation within the business and the new additions that came along with it. “[Will has] kept it the same, but elevated it. The only things that he’s changed have been good things. Things that needed to be changed,” said Fox. “Will’s elevated the sound quality, which sounds amazing. It’s always sounded really good for musicians playing there. … It sounds even better now, which is hard to imagine.”