Buffalo Grove teen club's grand opening trouble free

Months of public hearings are over.

Warnings from local police about attracting crime have been delivered and addressed with two off-duty Buffalo Grove cops.

Passage from the Buffalo Grove village board over President Elliott Hartstein's veto has been achieved.

And even concerns about compliance with its special zoning use from the village manager's office have been dealt with, albeit with a temporary permit.

Glow, the new teen dance club at the eSkape bowling alley and family entertainment center, held its grand opening Friday, apparently without incident.

The club, which caters to the 17 to 20 age group, occupies a small space at eSkape, 350 McHenry Road, once devoted to laser tag. And at first glance, the needles of multicolored light, was reminiscent of the room's former function.

But all thought of laser tag was dispelled by the booming volleys of sound sent by the roster of DJs, including DjXplicit and DJ Akib, and several clothing challenged go-go dancers.

eSkape's managing partner, Bill Feldgreber, was pleased with Friday's opening, which drew an estimated crowd of 300.

"We have got a very good crowd. Everyone is acting properly," Feldgreber said. "We haven't had any issues, and everyone is having a good time."

Hartstein said Saturday he had not heard reports of any serious incident.

The club opened with a temporary permit, since it still needs to comply with all of the conditions of its permit.

"We have one outstanding issue. We have to get the digital video recorder hooked up to where it links with the police station," Feldgreber said.

Manager Mike Taylor said he is trying to promote a "classy teen nightclub."

In that vein, the club is promoting dressy attire, with "button-ups, ties, fitted jeans, dress shoes," Taylor said, lending the club more of a downtown feel coming to the suburbs.

Among the teens in attendance was Lauren Pytel of Lake Zurich. who arrived with friends from Carmel Catholic High School. She said she heard about the club through brochures passed out at her high school.

"I expected basically (something) like this, maybe more people," she said. "I thought the first night would be bumpin' more a little. But it's still fun. It's a good time. The music's good."

One of her friends, Sammie Gibson, from Barrington, said, "I love it. It's a good place to dance at."

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