In The News
Candlelite Hospitality, Owners of Iconic Candlelite Chicago, Purchase La Rosa in Skokie, Illinois
The Growing Pizzamakers Also Recently Opened a Candlelite in Lincoln Park at the iO Theater
Chicago, IL – January 29, 2025 – Today, Candlelite Hospitality announced the acquisition of a local favorite pizzeria, La Rosa, in Skokie, Illinois. Opened in 1957, La Rosa has long been considered one of the area’s best makers of thin-crust pizza.
“Having grown up in Skokie and Evanston, my friends and family have great memories of hitting up LaRosa for a hot slice and a coke. And LaRosa has been a solid contributor to Skokie’s food scene for a long, long time," said Patrick Fowler, founder and CEO of Candlelite Hospitality. “When the opportunity to adopt La Rosa into our family of restaurants arose, it didn’t take long to make it happen. They have a hardworking staff, loyal customers, and a robust Italian menu which includes a fantastic thin-crust pizza.”
La Rosa Pizza opened in 1957 and eventually settled into its delivery and pick-up location at 4012 Golf Road. The pie shop has had two owners with the third being Candlelite Hospitality. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Candlelite Hospitality
Candlelite Hospitality owns and operates two Candlelites - the original Candlelite Chicago in Rogers Park and the newly opened Candlelite Lincoln Park - Bluestone, and Firehouse Grill. Candlelite Frozen Pizza and LaRosa are new businesses that have joined Candlelite Hospitality. For more information, please follow Candlelite Chicago’s Instagram, Facebook, and Yelp social media pages.
For further information and photos, please contact:
Brian Garrido
3Points Communications
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How Candlelite became a tavern-style pizza icon in Rogers Park
Owner Pat Fowler walks us through the history of the restaurant and its flashing sign.
Candlelite Chicago
It's impossible to miss the big neon sign on Western Avenue just south of Evanston that is always wishing someone a happy birthday or anniversary. Established in 1950 by Italian immigrants, Candlelite Chicago was once a dark, dingy dive bar that somehow also doubled as a romantic destination for a couple's night out.
SINCE 1950, THIS PIZZERIA AND TAVERN HAS BECOME A FAMILIAR LANDMARK IN THE WINDY CITY—AND IT'S NOW SELLING MORE PIZZA THAN EVER DURING THE PANDEMIC.
Italian immigrants Frank and Lena Maiale, the original owners of Candlelite Chicago, opened the doors of their tavern-style pizzeria in 1950, serving up thin-crust pies and libations to neighborhood locals.
Candlelite
The northernmost pizzeria in the city of Chicago, Candlelite has been a neighborhood fave for tavern-style pizza since 1950.
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Candlelite - Chicago
On the recommendation of a buddy of mine at one of my dealers in the Chicago area, he told me to head over to the Candlelite, a long-time neighborhood bar/restaurant located on N. Western Ave. in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the city's far north side.
Candlelite glows
The neon sign will grab you first, especially at night, when it shines like a welcoming beacon on an otherwise drab stretch of Western Avenue near Evanston: the endearing spelling of its name (Candlelite), the martini glass (with olive), the space in which to announce birthdays, anniversaries and other personal celebrations and events.