Lemont Unlocked

Sit down at one of Lemont's newest restaurants, the exciting Asian Fusion spot aptly named Wok'd. We get Wok'd on delicious rare dishes, hidden pandas, tropical drinks and one really hot pepper! learn how the craving for one dish turned into a new hot spot in downtown Lemont. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player and ne...

Lemont's own "Pirates Of The Canal" join us from Canal Street Pub in preparation for their 10th Annual Pirate Pub Crawl. Learn how a chance meeting at a bar created a group of local pirates (and one bird) who love to tip back a glass and raise money for local charities. For them it is all about supporting Lemont and having a jolly good time!  Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemon...

Experience the 2025 Pollyanna Oktoberfest from The Forge. See the sights, sounds and stein hoisting competition following a bold prediction of the winner. We also chat with co-founders Brian Pawola (Head Brewer) and Ryan Weidner (CEO) from the festival about their growing brewery, the new Pollyanna Social, and Pollyanna's connection to Lemont. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemo...

Sit down with local Lemont artists Ryan Hennebry and Rob Moriarty at Pollyanna Brewing Company. LeMontsters On Parade is back and continues to grow! View original art along Canal Street and on display at the brewery. Find out why this public art showing is growing each year, and preview these original works. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on yo...

See it all at this year's Taste of Lemont as your local podcast samples food, meets pirates and learns why this event is essential to Lemont High School. All the sights and sounds are here for you in case you missed the fun, or just if you want to see if you made it on camera! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player and n...

Lemont's signature festival is right around the corner, so learn a little bit about Keepataw Day before the big parade and Fun Fest that follows! Once conceived as a way to raise money for village improvements it now has become a place for everyone to gather and celebrate, all while doing some good. We're chatting at Just Hummus in Lemont, so we are going to also try some unique creations and lear...

Lemont was never the intended landing spot, but instead became the happiest of accidents for Wooden Paddle. This fixture in Downtown Lemont serves up pizza, craft cocktails and an adventurous menu. We sit down with Jonathan Cowan to get the story of his restaurant and his take on businesses supporting each other in Lemont. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe...

From a garage to a driveway to downtown Lemont, the path of Matt Borner's business is unique. We sit down for a lesson in simple meat smoking and listen the tale of a hobby that turned into a bustling barbecue business. Find out how a leap of faith turned into Matt's Barbecue! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player and n...

Creamery in Lemont has so many incredible ice cream creations, we cannot eat just one. So, we make a mess of several as we learn about this Lemont Downtown fixture! Lemont Unlocked also sits down with the organizers behind the annual "Giving Back To Lemont" event. Learn about a great cause supported by an incredible free multi-artist outdoor concert on July 26th! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't...

Lemont Downtown's Cruise Nights is brings fun for the whole family every Wednesday night in the summer. We get the history, the sights, the sounds and a close up look at some of the cars. We also sit down with Sam Forzley to celebrate 80 years at Nick's Tavern. Find out why this Village Trustee purchased the iconic location and why their burger is so special! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wai...

The Lemont Farmers Market at the Village Green is unlike any other area market. That's because Amanda Thomsen of Aster Gardens puts her heart and soul into it. Hear why it is important to find the right vendors and participants to create Lemont's unique Tuesday evening gathering. Plus, learn how to make one of the market's cocktail offerings from a Pollyanna Social mixologist before your next visi...

Summer is the season for patios in Lemont...as long as the weather cooperates! We visited the small street-side outdoor tables at Folklore Coffee to understand why those sidewalk seats matter so much. Then we sampled margaritas and some delicious entrées at Next Mex. Find out why their patio layout, size and location are essential for one of Lemont's premier outdoor dining spots. Chris Lanuti and...

Ah, the sweet life. Join us as Lemont kicks off Sunset Soirée with opening week act Serendipity. Fun, family, friends and good times await as we immerse you into Thursday nights this summer in Lemont. Then we walk from the concert into a special Italian restaurant in La Dolce Vita. Celebrating 25 years in Lemont, find out what makes this spot a "must-eat" location in Lemont Downtown. Chris Lanuti...

Lemont Mayor John Egofske joins us to talk about his growing village, which is bucking the trend of most areas in Illinois. Find out why people are moving to Lemont as we explore the new Marbella of Lemont apartment complex located downtown. Local realtor Wendy Pawlak then shows off one of Lemont's available homes as she explains why buying in Lemont makes good sense.  Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi...

Learn about much-improved trails and beautiful scenery around The Forge Lemont Quarries from local runner Dave Fako. We discover athletic events, good fishing and quite the view. Then meet Jeremie Bacon from The Forge, who explains how profits from this music and adventure venue go towards conservation and improvements to the public grounds Dave and others enjoy. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't...

As the Lemont Beauty and Wellness Walk approaches, we first visit Hive Fusion Fitness to speak with Danyelle Andrews of Bee Well Collective to discover the large scale of this new event. Then we do our own walk to see Susana Scott of Allure Skin Studio for skin care tips and a very colorful demonstration. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your...

If you haven't met Sommer Steele, or been to one of her events, you haven't been exploring enough of Lemont. We are at her unique shop, Mabel's Market, to talk about the upcoming Market On The Canal returning on May 4th. Hear about the evolution of this traditional Lemont outdoor event and how the area around her shop has drastically changed in the past decade. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't w...

Season Two of Lemont Unlocked kicks off at Three Stories Bookstore & More. Carla tells us the story of her whimsical local bookstore. Local author Pat Camalliere tells us the story behind her writing career. Chris & Tess talk about an embarrassing near-death experience. Get three unique stories from Three Stories in Lemont! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you....

Lemont's beloved mascot visits with Lemont Unlocked at Hughie McClafferty's. Taste some Irish fare with the husband and wife team running this beautiful Irish pub. From fish & chips to a properly poured Guinness, you cannot make a bad selection from the menu. Then Archie The Lemonster tells us his story and answers questions from viewers as the most lively guest we've ever had!  Chris Lanuti a...

Terry Blanz of the Lemont Area Historical Society shows off a little Lemont history and an interesting display of 9/11 artifacts. Find out why you should visit their historic building and experience "America United: The Days After 9/11" before it leaves town. Plus, learn how you can contribute your own family's historical items to the story of Lemont. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unl...

We look back a the Irish heritage surrounding St. James at Sag Bridge with Father Thomas Koys. Hear about the origins of the oldest working church in Northern Illinois, the Irish that built and are buried there, a connection to Abraham Lincoln and even a ghost story. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player and never miss...

Petersen's Main Inn has a lot of history. Learn about the recent one that surrounds their pool tables and then listen as Jason Berry talks about their origin as part of Smokey Row. Take a trip to the past from a comfortable bar stool as we explore Lemont's former Red Light District.  Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast playe...

Travel to Corner Stone Tavern to marvel at the limestone interior, learn about their short yet interesting history and check out some unique food items. Kevin Barron joins us to walk through the history of Lemont's limestone. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player and never miss an episode! Lemont Unlocked is a podcast p...

Ana Koval from the Canal Corridor Association joins us from Pollyanna Brewing Company to talk about Lemont's connection to the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Get a little history about the canal that runs through town and find out how you can best experience one of Lemont's great landmarks. Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcas...

Lemont is for lovers, and this episode we visit several restaurants run by couples in love. Check out the stories behind Barrel & Vine along with Digs On Canal as these Lemont couples bring you into their amazing establishments. Plus, a new "character" debuts on Lemont Unlocked! Chris Lanuti and Tess Abbasi can't wait to unlock Lemont for you. Subscribe for free on your favorite podcast player...