Bartlett preschool opposes new home for Bannerman's Sports Grill
The owner of Bannerman's Sports Grill in Bartlett wants to move his restaurant to a new location that could incorporate an outdoor beer garden, but an adjacent preschool doesn't want him there.
Bannerman's has been in a shopping center at Route 59 and Stearns Road for eight years, but Murray Friedman says without an outdoor space, he loses business in the summer.
His plan for a new Bannerman's includes a building smaller than his current location, but with an outdoor beer garden, two outdoor volleyball courts and a space for live acoustic music.
But Chesterbrook Academy Preschool, located adjacent to the lot at Route 59 and Schick Road where Friedman hopes to relocate, isn't happy with the plan.
The proposed outdoor patio would be next to one of the school's playgrounds, Chesterbrook Academy Executive Director MaryAnn Huss told village officials earlier this month.
“This is definitely a safety concern for us and our families,” she said.
Chesterbrook, at 1450 Quincy Bridge Road, operates until 6:30 p.m., meaning children would still be present when patrons begin filling the sports bar.
“We all know the consumption of alcohol and the behavior that can go with it does not mix with the safety of children,” Huss said.
Huss and Chesterbrook Principal Ashley Ern presented a petition to the Bartlett village board July 7 opposing Bannerman's proposed move. Parents of Chesterbrook students also spoke in opposition to Bannerman's, citing concerns about increased traffic and parking congestion, alcohol consumption close to children and patrons smoking in the beer garden.
“This is a facility where kids are playing outside every day,” Heather Mathews said. “The new Bannerman's concept could be a huge asset to our town, but it needs to be in a location where it can be successful.”
Mathews says she's concerned that if the relocated Bannerman's attracts more patrons than its current location, there won't be enough room for parking.
Friedman insists the new Bannerman's would not interfere with the safety of children at Chesterbrook and says he'll plant more trees to shield the day care from the beer garden.
“No matter where you are on my property, you will not see the day care because of the trees,” Friedman said.
Any outdoor concerts would be acoustic, and wouldn't be loud enough to interfere with Chesterbrook, he added.
Friedman says he enjoys giving back to the community and provides resources and donations for several Bartlett community events including the fire department's Pink Heals event that raised money for Bartlett women with cancer.
Once Friedman submits an official site plan, including details on landscape and elevation plans, the village will hold a public hearing on the proposal.