The owner of the Sandbar in Brookfield is branching out to create a retro-themed burger and barbecue joint on Ogden Avenue that could be open prior to March 1.
Chris Schullo, who has run a pair of successful restaurants in Brookfield-the Sandbar and Luna-said last week that the new restaurant, which will be geared toward a breakfast and lunch takeout crowd, will be located inside a former gyros restaurant at 8801 Ogden Ave.
Called “Dizzy’s” (after the 1969 song by Tommy Roe), will be open for breakfast and lunch and will feature American classics including burgers, barbecued chicken, pulled pork, St. Louis ribs and hot dogs.
One of the unusual aspects of the concept is that Dizzy’s will deliver-even for breakfast.
“The theme on the inside will be a 1940s art deco-ey diner feel,” said Schullo, who will be building most of the furniture himself and adding touches such as vintage light fixtures. Music-on vinyl no less-will be provided via a blond wood 1950s hi-fi system. When a record is over, one of the employees will just flip it over.
“At this point we’re shooting to have everything done before March,” Schullo said.
Schullo said that the Sandbar, the bar/restaurant/rockabilly venue in the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard will continue to operate after Dizzy’s opens.
Spa now open
Elsewhere on the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard, in fact right at the corner of Grant Avenue and Grand Boulevard, Brennan Massage and Spa opened two weeks ago after owner Abby Brennan spent several months renovating the 107-year-old home that houses the business.
Inside, the building had new plumbing and electric service installed. In addition, Brennan stripped the woodwork and uncovered the original hardwood floors, which had been hidden under carpeting for decades.
The former kitchen and dining room on the first floor have been converted into spa rooms, while the former parlor is the business’ reception area.
On the exterior, Brennan moved the main stairway to the Grand Boulevard side of the house. Further exterior improvements, such as landscaping (which Brennan said will feature prairie grass) will have to wait until the weather warms up.
The business is open Tuesday through Sunday.
School finds home on Maple
Back in July when Rocio Smith asked the village board for a parking variance to allow her Montessori School to occupy a retail space at 31st Street and Maple Avenue, she got a thumbs down.
But Smith’s plans were just delayed, not derailed, by the setback. On Jan. 14, she opened Montessori Children’s Community in the former real estate office at 3424 Maple Ave.
“I really wanted to open a school in Brookfield,” said Smith, who is a Brookfield resident. “I was ready to wait for the perfect spot.”
Since she opened in the middle of the school year, enrollment is quite small-four students. Smith said her goal is to enroll 30 students between the ages of 3 and 6 for the 3,400-square-foot space.
“We have tons of room to grow,” said Smith, who has been a Montessori school teacher for the past eight years.
Montessori Children’s Community is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
