Big Fran’s Boardwalk Gaming brings new gaming experience to Johnsburg

JOHNSBURG – Fritz Larsen, owner of Halftime Bar and Grill in Johnsburg, recently opened a new business just down the road from his sports bar. The new business is called Big Fran's Boardwalk Gaming, featuring five slot machines along with a beer and wine bar.

Big Fran’s, located at 2420 W. Johnsburg Road, officially opened its doors Sept. 22. Larsen said he named the gaming lounge after his mother, Francis, who passed away in June 2015.

“There’s a demand for gaming right now,” Larsen said. “But I also created this new venue in honor of my mother because she loved playing slots.”

Larsen described his new business as a quiet, more intimate place for people to come in and play slots while sipping on an alcoholic beverage.

“Business has been fantastic so far,” Larsen said. “People have seemed to really enjoy the homey atmosphere of this space.”

As for drinks, Big Fran’s currently offers its customers beer, wine, soda and water. Larsen said he possesses a full liquor license, and he’s planning to have a full bar at some point in the future.

Larsen said he also plans to donate 5 percent of proceeds from Big Fran’s to various charities on an annual basis. Some of the organizations Larsen plans to donate to include the McHenry Little League, Home of the Sparrow and the McHenry Food Pantry. The money will be donated through a foundation in his mother’s name.

Big Fran’s is open seven days a week. Larsen said he’s still trying to figure out the hours of operation, but the business is currently open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to midnight Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.