The Walrus Room

Marshall McCarty came to Chicago to attend Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in the city. With the formal education in culinary arts and having worked the "back and the front of the house" he opened a well-established Restaurant in Geneva as the Executive Chef.

At the beginning of this year, the time was right for Marshall and his family to start their own business. A market opportunity presented itself and Marshall and his family opened the Walrus Room in Geneva this summer.

The concept is a modern approach to a previously stale supper club institution to the community. Marshall used his extensive experience to match the customers' demand for better value, healthier foods and easier price choices to have a meal out more often. Three farms in short distance to the restaurant will be supplying produce and meat. The idea is to create a place where people enjoy each other by turning off the TV and the phone. No, there are no TV screens above the bar. Yes, there is a bar and conversation is encouraged. The prices for a meal range from $25 to $50.

The addition of 10 full-time and 7 part-time jobs in addition to adding a modern supper club also has a huge impact on the community. Friday fish-fry and Saturday's prime rib are winners and certainly have helped to establish The Walrus Room in the Fox Valley.

They came to the Illinois SBDC at College of DuPage, Ute Westphal, Program Manger, for help with funding. A compelling business plan was needed. They created a concept that finds the fine line between nostalgia, tradition and vintage. Out of this concept IL SBDC helped to design a concept with a compelling future success and sustainability.

Marshall stated, "We were referred to the IL SBDC at College of DuPage by a lender. The long capital funding process was at times discouraging but Ute helped us find the right partner and ultimately helped us create a compelling business plan which resulted in obtaining a small business loan. She produced solutions, streamlined the process and was really great with all the follow-up."

the walrus room logo

 The Walrus Room Website

Contact Information

Business Development Center
535 Duane Street, Office 233
Glen Ellyn IL 60137
(630) 942-2600
Email: bdc@cod.edu

Regular Hours
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Map and Directions