Business & Tech
Downers Grove Couple Brings Laid-Back, Outdoor Fun to Gnarly J’s
The recreation center—which features three bars, indoor sand volleyball courts, bowling and bags—celebrated its grand opening at 1211 Butterfield Road last month.
A new recreation and entertainment center has opened its doors in Downers Grove.
Perhaps its most unique offering is the two indoor sand volleyball courts that have been attracting area teams since earlier this year, even before Gnarly J’s was able to serve food or beverages.
“There aren’t many places in the suburbs for sand volleyball teams to play during the winter, so we actually developed a pretty decent following before we were completely up and running,” said Jen Telitz, owner of Gnarly J’s.Telitz and her husband, Nick, who live in Downers Grove, signed a lease for the sprawling Butterfield Road building in August 2012. The space was formerly home to North Beach, a nightclub that closed in 2010.
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The Telitzes took great pains to distinguish Gnarly J’s from previous businesses while making their case to a wary Downers Grove liquor commission. They opted to only allow patrons 21 or older, and promised to avoid any promotions or events that could attract trouble.
In June, after hearing the couple’s detailed security and marketing plans, the commission voted to alter the village’s entertainment license to include a provision for recreational activities, which allows Gnarly J’s to operate as a recreation center that serves alcohol.“There were points during the whole process when we really weren’t sure if it was going to happen,” Jen Telitz said. “We were ecstatic when everything was finally approved and we were able to move forward.”
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With its kitchen and bars up and running, Gnarly J’s now offers a full menu of appetizers, salads, pizzas and sandwiches. The space is also open for volleyball rentals and private parties.
And for those wondering about the name, Jen Telitz said it was something they came up with while discussing one of their favorite hobbies, Harley-Davidson motorcycles.“We obviously couldn’t name the place Harley anything, so we kind of combined that with our names, Nick and Jen, and ended up with Gnarly J’s,” she said.
For more information, visit www.gnarlyjs.com.
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