‘An adult listening room’: Music lounge proposed for downtown Mundelein

Music-loving entrepreneurs intend to open a listening lounge that would offer patrons cocktails in downtown Mundelein.

To be called Mondegreen Hi-Fi, the business is proposed for a storefront at 455 N. Lake St., just south of Park Street. The name comes from the term for a misinterpretation of a song lyric or phrase that gives it a new meaning.

“Everyone has one,” co-owner Matt Darst explained to the village board during a presentation of his group’s business plan Monday night. “That song that you sang for years out loud and then were corrected by your friend.”

Darst envisions a roughly 600-square-foot main room with treatments designed to improve acoustics. It would have between 26 and 34 seats for patrons, all of whom would have to be at least 21 years old.

Musical selections would come from about 1,500 vinyl records in Darst’s personal collection and be made using a custom-made app, Darst said. Once a selection is made, an employee would get the record and cue it up on a turntable, he said.

The cocktail menu would be limited and contain specially composed drinks, wine and beer, Darst said. Food options would be limited, perhaps to packaged items, he said.

“We don’t want to compete with the restaurants that we neighbor,” Darst said. Customers would be welcome to order food from those or other restaurants and bring it in or have it delivered, he said.

Darst emphasized that Mondegreen Hi-Fi won’t be a nightclub or sports bar. It won’t have video gambling machines or TVs, he said.

“It is an adult listening room built around conversation and enjoying music together,” he said.

The storefront, which had been a beauty salon, also will have space for two art galleries and merchandise, according to plans.

Operating hours would be limited to Thursdays through Sundays.

Darst, of Round Lake Park, said he specifically targeted Mundelein for the operation. He praised the evening and weekend social experiences being cultivated in the downtown area. “We want to add to that excitement,” he said.

Darst pitched the Mondegreen plan Monday ahead of an application for a liquor license. Mayor Robin Meier and trustees informally backed the proposal, and Darst left with the necessary documents.

Meier called it “a very exciting concept.”

Darst and his partners have signed a lease for the space and take possession Thursday so they can begin remodeling. They aim to open by Feb. 1.

rlissau@dailyherald.com