Allerton Park is already a wonderful place, but it’s about to get even better this week. On Friday, April 20th, The Greenhouse Café opens, providing food and beverages to park visitors. The café will have all the s-foods: soups, salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
Details are in the press release below.
Contact: Bridget Frerichs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
217-333-3287 | [email protected] April 13, 2018Allerton’s Greenhouse Café to open Friday
Monticello – Visitors to Allerton Park and Retreat Center will now be able to enjoy fresh food and drinks from The Greenhouse Café, set to open Friday, April 20, with a ribbon cutting ceremony open to the public at 8:30am. The Café is located in Allerton’s Visitor Center, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello.
Classic café refreshments – coffee, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more – will be available six days a week. Hours will vary by season, with April – October hours set to be: Tuesday-Thursday (8am-4pm), Friday and Saturday (8am-7pm), and Sunday (8am-4pm); closed Mondays.
“We often talk about the ‘Allerton experience’ and this addition will only improve the overall experience of our guests,” said Allerton’s Public Outreach Coordinator Mindy Brand. “From enjoying breakfast after an overnight in the Mansion, to being able to grab lunch and then hit the trails again, your experience at Allerton will only get better.”
Director Derek Peterson notes that this is the first step in many to providing a more complete user experience at Allerton. While Phase One of the Master Plan (2015) focused on engagement and accessibility, Phase Two will focus on improving and utilizing every square inch of current facilities.
“The historic buildings across the road from the Visitor Center are in prime locations, but are currently be used for storage and maintenance,” Peterson said. “We’re currently trying to secure funds to renovate Robert Allerton’s former Ice House – which would serve as additional lodging and provide programming possibilities, specifically an Artist in Residence program.”
Funding for the Café renovation was made possible through an estate gift from George M. Unger, and donations from the Friends of Allerton. The Greenhouse Café is operated by Monticello resident and business owner Samantha Koon of The Zybell House.
For more information visit allerton.illinois.edu or call 217-333-3287.
About Allerton Park and Retreat Center
Built as a private residence by artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton in 1900, Allerton Park and Retreat Center is a historical treasure that was donated to the University of Illinois in 1946. The property contains 1,500 acres of woodland and prairie areas, a Mansion and reflecting pond, a 10-acre meadow, formal sculpture gardens, hiking trails, a café, and several lodging facilities. For more information and to view other events, visit allerton.illinois.edu or call 217-333-3287.
Photo courtesy of Allerton Park and Retreat Center
