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New sports bar coming to downtown Mount Prospect

The building at 34 S. Main St. has been standing for about a decade, but it has seen plenty of changes.

It opened as Blues Bar, to anchor the revitalization of the area of downtown Mount Prospect known as the triangle.

But Blues Bar and its successor, Bar 145, are history, and a new player has entered the fray.

The Brick City Tavern sports bar is slated to open in June. Brothers George and Chris Gelis finalized the lease March 31 and took possession Saturday.

George Gelis said he is in the process of obtaining local and state liquor licenses.

The brothers have a family history with sports bars.

Their family owns and operates two in the South Suburbs, both called Jameson's Pub, in Joliet and Frankfort.

Gelis said he wants Brick City to open with a clean slate.

"We got to change it up a little bit," Gelis said. The people behind Bar 145 were great, he said, but it didn't work out, "So we don't want the community or our new customers coming in and getting flashbacks of Bar 145."

He said they plan a special touch for building, and the name provides a clue about the look - exposed brick.

"The brick is going to be the main focal point," he said.

The decor and ambience will have a sports theme, and a local flavor will be emphasized.

He also promised he and his brother will be hands-on owners.

Gelis is excited about Mount Prospect opening.

"We love the community, the feel. We dined at other establishments. We saw the clientele. And it just felt right," he said.

Gelis said some executive chefs are being interviewed, with the goal of using pizza as the culinary focal point.

The bar will offer 24 beers on tap, with probably another 30 to 40 domestic, including craft, beers in bottles and cans, as well as an extensive liquor selection.

The bar will be open seven days a week, with the goal of opening at 11 a.m. daily.

New owners of the downtown Mount Prospect space that housed Bar 145 have begun demolition to clear the way for Brick City Tavern, set to open in June. Courtesy of Brick City Tavern
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