Rookies coming soon to The Grove in Elgin
Bob Karas has always wanted to open a sports bar in Elgin.
Sure, for the past several years he's had the Rookies Sports Pub in St. Charles, as well as his Village Squire in South Elgin and his family's Alexander's along State in Elgin.
But he grew up in Elgin. And he thought his hometown needed a place where people could hang out and watch the game while eating great food with family and friends.
"I grew up in Elgin and never had a place to go to watch a game that was geared to that purpose," Karas said.
This month, Karas will be opening such a place. His second Rookies Sports Pub will open some time in mid-April in The Grove of Elgin, just north of the tollway along Randall Road.
"I thought it was a good opportunity and close to my other businesses and different enough not to affect my other restaurants," Karas said. "Also, as more restaurants are coming to Randall Road in Elgin, I thought there was a need for me to be there to compete, with these other restaurants taking business away from my other stores.
"Restaurants are tougher than ever as costs have gone sky high. We need to have a local presence on Randall Road, or really lots of independents will not survive and people will be left with the chains. We need to patronize our local restaurants. Rookies complements our other concepts, The Village Squire and Alexander's restaurants."
Karas says for people who love the Rookies in St. Charles, they should expect more of the same in Elgin. He is opening the restaurant with his partner in St. Charles, Mike Maridis, and his Village Squire South Elgin partner George Karavasis. Both are Karas' brother-in-laws.
For those who've never been to Rookies, he says you should except great food and fun, as well as 25 flat screen HD televisions posted throughout for optimal game viewing.
The Rookies in St. Charles is famous for its "crazy" food promotions, Karas said, and people can expect to find those in Elgin too -- including the $1 burger and hot dog special, which comes up four times a year. Kids will eat free on Thursdays.
Get it on the go: The new Dunkin' Donuts in Lake in the Hills along Randall Road is opening this week. You can run in the restaurant for your doughnuts and coffee, or get it at the new business' drive-through.
Sweet treats soon: For all of you sweet-tooths out there, you'll be happy to know that See's Candies will be opening a new location close by. The business is expected to open a new retail location in Algonquin along Randall Road, just north of the new Mimi's Restaurant.
Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.