Rosie’s Home Cookin’ will soon call CityGate Centre home

A lease has been executed with Veteran Business Project, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that owns and operates Rosie’s Home Cookin’ to relocate the retro-style diner to a 4,015 square-foot restaurant space at CityGate Centre.

Rosie’s honors veterans by serving as a “Living Business School” providing hands-on training for armed-forces veterans with entrepreneurial aspirations. The seven-year lease term will commence on or before Nov. 1 of this year, and the restaurant is planned to open in the high-visibility, end-cap space at the Ferry Rd. entrance to CityGate Centre this fall.

Rosie’s, established in Naperville in 2022, quickly became a local and regional favorite breakfast and lunch destination. Founded by Naperville resident and Vietnam Marine Veteran Lynn Lowder, Rosie’s celebrates and holds a space for all U.S. veterans who proudly and bravely served. The restaurant is among many success stories of Veteran Business Project, co-founded by Lowder and restauranteur Dale Eisenberg, to promote small business opportunities for military, veterans and spouses.

Anchored by Hotel Arista and the Calamos Investments Building, the 31-acre CityGate Centre along Rte. 59 between I-88 and Ferry Rd., was developed by local businessman and Vietnam veteran John P. Calamos, Sr.

Rosie’s and Veteran Business Project founders Dale Eisenberg (L) and Lynn Lowder joined CityGate Centre developer and owner John P. Calamos, Sr., (R) at the Choose DuPage Regional Business Outlook in June. Calamos is a founding member of the countywide economic development organization.

“Supporting veterans’ causes is a longstanding priority for Mr. Calamos and integral to the culture of all the Calamos companies,” said Calamos Real Estate SVP and Designated Managing Broker Ken Witkowski. “We look forward to adding Rosie’s to the great dining selections at CityGate Centre, and we are extremely proud to have them here.”

The diner’s name was inspired by Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie the Riveter” image that received broad attention when published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post magazine in 1943 on Memorial Day. Lowder, inspired by the dedication of the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and to support veteran entrepreneurs, chose the icon for the retro-style diner.

“Opening this diner was a dream of mine, and it has been amazing to see it grow. Rosie’s has become a place where everyone can feel at home, and where we also honor and support veterans,” said Lowder. “I am grateful to the Naperville community for embracing us and supporting our mission.

“Moving to CityGate Centre gives us a chance to keep growing that mission and create more opportunities for veterans in business.”

Suite 135 at 2155 CityGate Ln. will be transformed to the retro dining experience Rosie's is known for, opening this fall.

Lowder also thanked Calamos Real Estate—the leasing agent and property manager for CityGate Centre for believing in Rosie’s and helping it take this next step.

“Rosie’s is a neighborhood diner, and a great example of what veteran-owned businesses bring to a community,” said Eisenberg. “I am excited about this next chapter for Rosie’s at CityGate Centre. Rosie’s shows how Veteran Business Project can help veterans turn ideas into successful businesses, and I am eager to see where we go from here.”