Chris and Megan Curren, owners of The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles, signed a lease on the 3,200-square-foot building located at 7 S. Broadway in Downtown Aurora.

This is where they plan to open Vicolo, a charming European-inspired cafe and pasticceria in early 2025. The Currens are embracing the rustic charm of Italian cuisine with their sophomore concept, an all-day restaurant that will seamlessly transition from a laid-back European café into an elevated dining destination in the evening.

In addition to a full renovation, the team plans to upgrade the property’s adjacent small park, known as “Skinny Park”, into a quaint outdoor seating area and “piazza” that provides an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for al fresco dining.

During the day, Vicolo will offer an array of rustic Italian dishes and freshly baked pastries, with a robust to-go menu of handmade pasta dishes available for the on-the-go downtown residents.

The Currens envision the daytime café as a community hub with a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, hosting enriching activities like Italian movie screenings, live music performances, and kid-friendly acts.

In the evening, Vicolo will transform into an upscale dining experience, drawing in the evening crowd with a craft cocktail menu that complements the locally sourced and thoughtfully crafted chef-driven dinner offerings.

O&D Hospitality

The Currens also announced the formation of O&D Hospitality, a portfolio of concepts that will promote community investment with a hyperlocal charitable initiatives, thoughtful sourcing, and restaurant worker aid initiatives.

“We hold this region near and dear to our hearts, because we understand what makes it so special to begin with,” says Megan Curren. “This is the area where I grew up, where Chris and I are choosing to raise our children. With O&D Hospitality, we have no plans to rewrite the beloved stories of these neighborhoods, but rather bring thoughtful hospitality concepts that are created to serve the local community for a long time coming.”

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