Top 10 Most Read Stories of 2012 in Wilmette, Kenilworth

Now that the year is nearing its end, it offers an opportunity to look back on which stories most interested Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch readers. What story did you follow most closely?

1. C.J. Arthur’s closed in September, but the space could soon be home to a new gastropub.

Residents must have felt down after we reported that C.J. Arthur’s, one of Wilmette’s few live music spots, would be closing its doors at the end September after serving the North Shore for 23 years. Yet, less than three months later, we broke a story that a group of eight Wilmette families had leased the former C.J. Arthur’s storefront with an aim to turn the space into a new gastropub by late next spring. News of a potential family-friendly tavern and eatery serving “higher-end traditional bar food and other offerings” was welcomed by many of C.J.’s old fans.

2. then opened The Big Black Dog Tavern & Grill in November.

Gilson’s co-owner, Chuck Rometty, told Patch in August that he planned on opening a family-friendly restaurant in the space formerly occupied by The Crystal Cave. Rommety said he envisioned the new eatery as a place serving quality food at a lower price point, someplace where folks go to watch a football game and a spot where people could host private events. Two months later, The Big Black Dog Tavern & Grill opened for business, replete with flat-screen televisions, 54 bottled beers and a menu full of smoked-in-house barbeque, bar eats and Mexican food.

3. A drunk driver caused a three-car crash near the Wilmette-Glenview border.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and endangering the life of a child after police said he was responsible for a three-car accident that sent two people to the hospital.

4. Police arrested a former New Trier student after he was recognized when he allegedly attempted to burglarize a former classmate’s home.

A 19-year-old girl told police that she knew the 20-year-old male whom she saw sifting through her mother’s purse in the foyer of her home in the early morning hours. The two had gone to high school together.

5.

The manager of Baek’s Tiger Martial Arts studio in Wilmette had his hands in the pockets of the business’s owners and customers, according to police. In November, police arrested the man on charges of felony theft after he allegedly admitted to stealing $42,000 from the studio by diverting customer credit card payments into a personal bank account, police reported. in late October.

6. Loyola Academy alum Conor Dwyer won a gold medal swimming in the London Olympics’ 800-Meter Relay.

Friends and family members watched together as the North Shore native brought home the gold, swimming alongside his relay teammates, superstars Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

7. POLL: What's the best preschool in New Trier Township?

Over 950 people voted. Do you remember which school readers favored?

8. A new Thai fusion bistro expanded Wilmette’s restaurant scene.

Dowize Bistro, a pan-Asian eatery serving Thai food and sushi, gave Wilmette’ residents a new downtown destination when the fusion restaurant opened in June.

9.

Black Friday almost took a dark turn in Wilmette when a large tree toppled onto a car carrying a family of six, pinning two people inside and sending two to the hospital. High wind speeds may have played a role in the close-call accident.

10.

Many residents were up in arms when they heard that the Wilmette Park District was considering submitting a bid on a 39-year management lease for Wilmette Harbor, even though winning the bid would mean paying $11.7 million to repair the marina over 15 years. While some park board members championed the opportunities harbor management would allow for expanding lakefront offerings, residents worried the project would burden taxpayers, boat owners feared mooring prices would rise and a petition began circulating.

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