By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
LOVES PARK — A new bar coming to North Second Street aims to be a neighborhood gathering place where you can hear live music or play pool, pinball and other games.
Amy and Steve Grace are renovating space at 5440 N. Second St. to open Shattered Saloon, their third venture into the local bar and restaurant business. The space previously housed Area 251 Bicycles and later a discount retail store, but it has been vacant for roughly three years, said Nathan Bruck, economic development and planning manager for Loves Park.
The open space leaves plenty of room for a bar, dart boards, arcade area, TVs, bumper pool and a full-sized pool table, said Amy Grace. The bar is named after the song “Shattered” by the Rolling Stones, one of Steve Grace’s favorite bands, and it will have live music performances.
“We really go for that neighborhood bar feel,” Amy Grace said. “We’re really just looking for a nice, safe, friendly place that you can go and have a great time with your friends and have good drinks at good prices.”
They hope to open in January.
Related: Redevelopment of former Tussing’s Tile aims to capture ‘untapped potential’ in Loves Park
They don’t plan to have a full-service kitchen at Shattered Saloon but will have a pizza oven and could also offer freshly made deli sandwiches. But, with so many good dining options in the area, Amy Grace says customers will be welcome to bring food from other restaurants into the bar.
The Graces are partners in Nmt Drink, 2233 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, near the CherryVale Mall. They also previously owned Detour bar and grill, 1920 E. Riverside Blvd., before selling to Neil Kessman about two years ago.
“We’ve had good success twice, so hopefully three times,” Amy Grace said. “We’re looking forward to being in Loves Park again.”
Related: Loves Park offers incentives for redevelopment of former Jacobs Signs property
More Loves Park news: Grocery store coming to Forest Hills Road and Riverside Boulevard
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.