Former Starbucks in Ottawa to become OTB sports bar

Hawthorne Race Course is betting on Ottawa.

The northern Illinois racetrack has tabbed its latest off-track betting site at the former Starbucks location, 110 W. Etna Road, but the design and sports bar atmosphere is expected to attract non-gamblers as well when it opens in mid-April.

Managing Partner Ross Avery of Furlong’s Sports Grill was in the building Wednesday morning overseeing construction of the bar that will have dozens of TVs, a menu of freshly prepared items and opportunities for race betting.

“Our aim is to have this be a place where anybody is comfortable walking in just to have dinner with their significant other or a couple of guys who want to come in and watch the Bears or Packers or whomever,” Avery said.

The bar partners with Hawthorne Race Course at other locations, including one opening in Normal next week, and Hawthorne Chief Financial Officer Jeff Krass said the combination of betting and restaurant food has been successful in the suburbs. The nearest similar site operated by Hawthorne is at 2450 Jefferson St. in Joliet, which has been around for 25 years.

“We pride ourselves on our (OTBs) as they're very modern. We take pride in what we develop and we like to think of them as little Vegas sportsbooks” Krass said.

"It's going to be comfortable, fresh, modern and it's going to be fun," he added.

Patrons are able to stop in just for a meal, but horse racing will be the main theme with the name of the business referencing a unit measuring distance on the track. There will be themed burgers and sandwiches on the menu, such as the fish sandwich being named Seabiscuit after the Triple Crown-winning thoroughbred.

Krass added the site will be importing signals from across the country and globe that would allow patrons to take in more than 20 events at one time and wagering available both in the dining and bar area.

The company is operating in a smaller space compared to other sites, which means the menu is limited compared to other sites, but Avery said patrons can still expect a number of burger, sandwich and wing options as well as a variety of appetizers and desserts.

“And everything we do is fresh. We do fresh cut fries, fresh dipped onion rings. We don’t use frozen so we like to think the food is really good,” Avery said.

The business is aiming for a mid-April opening date which gives it enough time to prep for the 2019 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2.

And, during large events, patrons may find the business celebrating on the lawn. The owner of the business is leasing from owns the nearby land, allowing them to set up a tent and host activities outside when large sporting events are taking place.

Avery said the mix of sports betting and sports bar atmosphere has been popular with customers with divided interests.

“One lady said, ‘You may have saved our marriage,’ ” Avery recalled with a smile and a chuckle. “She said, ‘I don’t have to drop (my husband) off. Now we can stay together and maybe have lunch.’ ”

“We’re hoping to have great food and fair pricing,” he added. “We really want it to be a place people feel welcome even if they’re not playing the races.”