People living in St. Charles regard the Fox River as an important resource, something the owner of Salerno’s on the Fox on the bank of the river understood immediately. Oak Brook resident Adam Salerno, 73, has run the iconic restaurant at 320 N. Second St. in St. Charles since 1975.

“There was a real estate agent in St. Charles – she was a friend of my oldest brother - and she thought it was a great idea that this property was available,” Salerno said. “‘Oh my God,’ she said, ‘wouldn’t this be beautiful to make Venice right here?’ and that’s why they settled on this piece of property, knowing it would become one of the best in St. Charles.