Stella's video gambling bar opens first location in Hoffman Estates
Stella's, a new bar that offers beer and wine, a menu of small plates and video gambling, opened the first of several approved locations in the Chicago area Thursday.
Located at 1171 Barrington Road in the Hoffman Village Shopping Center near Golf and Barrington roads, the Hoffman Estates Stella's will be open to its full hours on Saturday.
Stella's is one of three video gambling brands Laredo Hospitality is planning to open in the suburbs. The other bars, called Maxine's and Shelby's, have similar concepts but different decor and menus.
Gary Leff, chief operating officer of Loredo Hospitality, said Stella's is the company's primary brand. So far, he said, the Illinois Gaming Board has approved video gambling licenses for two other Stella's locations, in Chicago Ridge and Melrose Park.
The company has also built out Stella's locations in Oak Lawn, Fox Lake and Bartlett, but it is still waiting for video gambling licenses before the doors at those locations are opened.
Leff said proposals for Loredo Hospitality bars have been approved in more than 20 local municipalities and about half of those are Stella's.
“We're very excited to be opening our first location in Hoffman Estates,” he said.