19 October 2001

Robert Feder
Chicago Sun-Times

Ex-Loop boss hopes restaurant draws media

When Jimmy deCastro was running WLUP-FM (97.9) in the 1980s, he used to fantasize about opening a bar and grill where he and all of his friends could hang out with Loop stars, celebrities, sports figures and media people.

Now that he's no longer in the business, his dream is finally coming true.

DeCastro, who cashed out of radio after 25 years, has teamed up with Glenn Keefer, former manager of Ruth's Chris Steak House and the Palm in Chicago, to open Keefer's, a new upscale restaurant at 20 W. Kinzie. Famed chef John Hogan is at the helm.

With opening festivities planned for next week, less optimistic entrepreneurs might worry that these troubled times aren't exactly ideal for launching a new venture. But not so deCastro.

"At a time when the city and the media would like to see each other happy and smiling again, this will be the place to make it happen," he said. "I'm hoping it will become a media hangout like the Palm was in the old days."

As one of radio's premier showmen, deCastro parlayed success at the Loop to become co-founder and president of Evergreen Media Corp. and vice chairman of AMFM Inc. With the merger of AMFM with Clear Channel Communications, he exited in February 2000.

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