The blighted TJ's is no longer—Tru Country stands bright and white in its place. Its owner talks progress, vision and opening timeline.
NEW LENOX, IL — In a seemingly overnight glow-up, the building formerly known as TJ's Bar and Grill in New Lenox began its transformation into Tru Country.
Staring down incoming winter weather, the once-blighted building's new owners Eden and Phil Wiechec very quickly brought their vision for the exterior to life recently: a change so remarkable it has people thinking they're days or weeks from opening.
But hold on, they're not there yet.
"We still have the whole inside to do," Eden Wiechec said. "... It’s going to be beautiful when it’s done. ... It’s all brick inside. It’s just a big brick building."
It's been just over a year since the couple purchased the property at 222 W. Maple St., and for a while, it seemed work had stalled, or maybe never really started?
"We were waiting on permits," Eden Wiechec said, "but the guys were ready to go."
Any wait seems minor compared to the stretch it previously stood empty, lingering for more years than some can remember. Some struggle to picture what it looks like inside, and others know the stories the building would tell if only those walls could talk.
The structure gets a fresh start now—red and yellow brick painted white, contrasted by black metal overhangs on a front porch and side patio seating. Wooden beams frame the front entrance, the Tru Country sign glowing with an American flag splashed through the letters.
The sign is in keeping with the theme of their other Tru Country location in Channahon, touted as the "most patriotic bar in Illinois."
The current location has been a huge success, Wiechec previously told Patch, so they’ll keep much of the same menu. They’re eager to bring their business—which is named after 20-year-old daughter Tru—to New Lenox.
It's a special project for the couple, who live in the town and raised their children there. Last week, Wiechec shared exterior photos of the building on local social media groups. The post was met with support and curiosity.
"Congrats from your neighbors across the street Glow Getter Airbrush Tanning!" one wrote. "We’re so excited to have you here and have been loving watching the progress on the building! It looks amazing."
"The remodel of the building looks magnificent!" another said. "Super excited to support local business, can’t wait."
"The new paint job caught me by surprise the other day!" one said. "Looks great."
Wait until you see what they have in mind for inside, Wiechec said.
"I’m trying to keep the bars where when you walk in, you know it’s a Tru Country," she said. "We’ll have some of the familiar—when you walk in the other bar, you recognize it.
"The inside’s going to be beautiful. We have a few little surprises for people when they walk in—for the town."
Wiechec said the inside was mostly empty, with flooring of cement and even gravel in some spots. She noted its previous owner used it to store classic cars—evident by the garage door on the back side of the building.
The building being empty makes their work inside easier—and hopefully quick.
"They completely emptied the whole place," she said. "There’s not a single thing in there. To have a clean slate was great."
The work outside has helped people see how the place would be brought back to life.
Last year, Mayor Tim Baldermann said that many over the years have wanted to buy the property, but parking has been an issue. Eden and Phil Wiechec were able to purchase the property next door, a lot that will allow space for parking. It's now freshly paved.
Baldermann couldn't recall how long the spot had stood vacant, but estimates at least 30 years.
"I don’t know how long it’s been vacant, but for the majority of the time I’ve lived here, that’s for sure," Baldermann told Patch last year.
Wiechec said they hope to add special meaning to their already highly anticipated opening. Daughter Tru turns 21 in late-March—hopefully she can celebrate in the bar named after her.
"We're trying to open on her 21st birthday," Wiechec said. "... IF we’re able to—it’s so hard with all the moving pieces."
She knows things can change and timelines can shift, so no official date—yet.
"Until it gets a little bit closer," she said. "Then we’ll know more on the opening."
Bringing Tru Country to their hometown feels more poignant than their other business ventures, Wiechec said.
"All my kids went to school here, so we’ll be able to see a lot of the local people in there," she said. "A whole different thing from owning in Joliet or Channahon."
The building has come so far, she said, describing how the lighting hits the exterior, how striking the sign looks. How reinvigorated that corner seems.
"There's more lighting coming to the side of the building," she said. "All the tress are lit up. It looks so nice, so pretty. It turned out to be a beautiful corner.
"The guys (workers) have been great, New Lenox has been great to work with." she said. "So far, so good."
And the feedback has been inspiring.
"It’s been nothing but positive," Wiechec said.
Baldermann praised the owners for their work to date.
"They have done a fantastic job of transforming an 'iconic eyesore' into something different for our community and the area," he said. "We’re excited to see them open!"