Politics & Government

Family Entertainment Center Coming To Palatine

An indoor family game and activity center is planned to open in the old Brunswick Zone bowling alley at 519 S. Consumers Ave.

An indoor family game and activity center was approved for the old Brunswick Zone property at 519 S. Consumers Ave.

The center, known as Happenings, was approved by the Village Council Monday. It will include batting cages, inflatables, an arcade, mini-bowling area, gaming area and party room.

"We are recommending approval of this use. We think that it will be a good complement to the other uses along this stretch of Consumers," Village Manager Reid Ottesen said.

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However, Jodi Neff, operations manager for Orbit Skate Center said the new business would not be a good fit.

"We are really stretching the entertainment dollar," Neff said, noting both facilities will have inflatables, an arcade and children's parties.

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"Another concern is parking," Neff said. "Family fun center is bringing a lot of traffic."

The project did need a variance from Palatine's parking requirement. Happenings was required to have 204 spaces, but the Village Council approved it with only 187 spots.

"The hard part we have to decide here is are we going to get involved in competition," District 1 Council member Aaron Del Mar said. "I think that is a slippery slope if we start regulating what businesses can come in and what businesses can't."

Happenings is the latest project to be pitched for the now closed bowling alley. The .

The American Academy of Gymnastics , but that deal fell through because of high property taxes on the property, the Daily Herald reported.

Happenings would have 20 to 25 employees and be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and open on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

"The only thing I have to say is we are not a skating rink we are looking at a completely different business model than [Orbit]," said Brian Abraham a representative for Happenings. "I think we'd be a complement to [Orbit]. And if people are looking for a skating rink or that type of scenario we'd be able to work together."


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