New entertainment complex coming to this southwest Illinois city. Here’s what we know
Plans to convert the old Gold’s Gym property into an entertainment complex for both families with young children and an adult attraction are moving forward in O’Fallon.
The Dogwood Social House will feature such indoor games as miniature golf, axe throwing, cornhole, video games, table games (air hockey, billiards, foosball, and shuffleboard), simulator games, arcade games, and a mini-bowling alley. It will have a restaurant and bar and those plans will take up 36,825 square feet while the remaining 3,670 square feet will be a package liquor store with a separate entrance.
This will be the first location in Illinois and the fourth such location owned by Andy Patel of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He has built locations in Ellisville and Cape Girardeau, and in O’Fallon, Missouri, he converted a previous Gold’s Gym into the entertainment complex.
Mayor Herb Roach said he was excited two existing buildings would be renovated for completely new usages. Besides the old Gold’s Gym, which has been closed since Oct. 25, 2019, after nearly 15 years in business, plans for a new upscale restaurant in the old labor hall downtown have been announced.
Those two are part of six developments now in the works in the city.
“In the next two to four months, two new businesses will be opening their doors for the first time in O’Fallon and the first time anywhere in the state of Illinois,” Roach said, noting the Hi-Pointe Drive-In on U.S. 50 and the Revela Senior Living Center on Seven Hills Road.
Roach said a new Edley’s Bar-B-Que restaurant is being built on the old lumber yard property on U.S. 50. Based in Nashville, one is located in Glen Carbon and O’Fallon will be its second metro-east location. A new Scooter’s Coffee will be located between the IHOP restaurant and MotoMart on U.S. 50. It is strictly a drive-thru operation.
A seventh project is early in the process and hasn’t been announced as yet, but is a major new multi-facility to be developed on 28 acres along Central Park Drive.
Dogwood Social House Plans
The property at 1206 Central Park Drive is bordered by Interstate 64 on the northeast, Hop House and Texas Roadhouse on the northwest, the Fairfield Inn and Suites on the southeast and Menard’s on the southwest corner.
A change in planned use and proposed liquor sales for onsite consumption and package sales meant an application had to go through city channels and has initially been approved by the Planning Commission, Community Development Committee and O’Fallon City Council. The ordinance will be up for adoption at the council’s Feb. 7 meeting.
Patel hopes to open sometime in the summer, but Community Development Director Justin Randall said he thinks it will be ready in the fall.
Improvements to landscaping and the parking lot have been recommended. Occupancy will be limited at 855, Randall said.
An outdoor patio has been discussed but is not a part of the current plan. If that happens, Randall said discussions on drainage and landscaping would take place.
If or when that is proposed, the property owner must provide documentation to the city to ensure any potential impacts to the site’s drainage are considered and mitigated, Randall said.
More about Dogwood coming to O’Fallon
During a planning commission meeting, the proposed self-serve beer taps were discussed. These have activation cards — like hotel keys — and members wanted to know how service of alcohol to minors was regulated.
Randall said they would be held to the same standards of liquor license requirements and subject to inspection by the O’Fallon Police Department.
Patel, whose businesses include Cape Dogwood 573 and Ellisville Liquors, assured the commission alcohol is not sold to minors and gave an overview of the operation.
The bar area features professional sports games on large screens, as well as special events like the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, and boxing matches.
The restaurant menu includes burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, salads, pizza, warm bowls, entrees, and desserts.
Private karaoke parties can be arranged, and the Ellisville location promotes karaoke every Wednesday night. For more information on the operation, visit http://dogwoodsocialhouse.com.
The Dogwood Wine and Spirits Superstore will be accessed independently from the entertainment space.
Upscale Restaurant Plans Advance
Jon and Emily Greenstreet’s plans to turn the former labor hall at 101 S. Cherry St. into an upscale restaurant have advanced and the ordinance will be considered for adoption Feb. 7.
Greenstreet, the owner of Bike Surgeon, is partnering with Talani and Lisa Mo’e, who operate Grit and Tonic in Lebanon, to provide a fine-dining experience. The development will include indoor and outdoor dining. Plans to obtain a pour liquor license for onsite consumption is part of the plan.
They plan on making substantial improvements to the existing 3,200 square foot building, including exterior and interior upgrades, and will add a produce garden for restaurant use, in addition to a patio.
A variance to the maximum lot coverage will be needed for the additions to the existing building.
A name has not been selected, but the cuisine is expected to be an Asian-French fusion, trained chef Talani Mo’e said.
Greenstreet said he hopes to open in late 2022.
