SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (April 1, 2008) – Already anchored by the country’s first luxury Gold Class Cinemas and the Midwest’s first L.L. Bean store, The Arboretum can now claim a triple hit with the addition of a lease recently signed with Pinstripes, Inc. According to Michael Jaffe of The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum, this bowling, bocce and bistro concept will open its second location here in fall 2008, about the time the 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center will open.
“Having Pinstripes at The Arboretum fits in perfectly with our goals,” says Jaffe. “We want to offer Barrington residents a full dining, shopping and entertainment experience they can’t get anywhere else in Chicago.” The recently signed lease is for 40,000 square feet, he says, and will situate the entertainment restaurant near Gold Class Cinemas.
“Our close proximity to Gold Class Cinemas will create a novel lifestyle destination,” says Pinstripes founder and CEO Dale Schwartz. The first Pinstripes opened in May 2007 in Northbrook, also in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, nearly 30 miles from this location. “We have been very successful in our flagship location, and are very excited to announce our second site in another attractive demographic area -- this time as part of an extraordinarily well-designed lifestyle center.”
Mr. Schwartz adds that in the first ten months of operation, Pinstripes hosted a tremendous number of private and corporate parties. “It’s becoming quite an exciting venue for corporate events, celebrations and team building parties ranging from 20 to 700 people,” he says. “And the interest in bocce itself has been phenomenal.” The marriage between American and Italian recreation and cuisine has been a successful draw to the sophisticated families and professionals residing in Northbrook and the surrounding communities. “We offer a unique and fun experience for all weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, social dates, corporate events and parties, and your regular group of friends showing up to relax and dine together.”
PINSTRIPES UP CLOSE
Mr. Schwartz says that The Arboretum location will be very similar to its first location, with two exceptions. “We’ll adjust the exterior colors and materials and roof design so that it’s unique yet consistent with the architecture of The Arboretum,” Mr. Schwartz says. “In addition, we’ll add two bowling lanes for a total of 20, and increase the number of bocce courts from 6 to 10, 4 indoor and 2 outdoor to 6 indoor and 4 outdoor.” Moreover, the outdoor courts at The Arboretum location will be enclosed for year-round play.
The Menu & Wine List
Pinstripes, a name derived from both the bowling “pin” and the “pinstripe” business attire, continues to carry on the theme of melding the casual and classic in its menu, with a refreshing twist. The creator of the menu, executive chef Mark Grimes, is not just any graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. His internship was at Claridge’s in London, serving royalty a variety of delectable creations. He also brings experience from Maggiano’s and Champps in Chicago, yet the elegant menu at Pinstripes is affordable.
An extensive menu features starters such as classic antipasto and bruschetta, pizzas and flatbreads fresh from a wood-burning oven, sandwiches and panini, pastas, salads and entrees from carved tenderloin of beef to herb crusted halibut. Desserts are made from scratch, including gelato and ice cream.
The wine list offers over 70 different types--either Italian or American, with many available by the glass or half-bottle.
Form & Function
An atrium skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows will bathe Pinstripes at The Arboretum in natural light. Natural wood floors and walls complement the Jerusalem stone paved entryway, and an elevated horseshoe bar and lobby will separate the two sports. Both the bocce courts and bowling lanes can be further separated by partitions for private parties. A downstairs bistro seats 150 at linen topped tables, while upstairs banquet rooms seat up to 275. Deep leather sofas and stools provide seating between the bistro, courts and open kitchen.
Aria Group Architects, the Oak Park firm that designed the Northbrook Pinstripes, will also design The Arboretum location. The firm’s clientele include California Pizza Kitchen, Rock Bottom Brewery, Hyatt Hotels and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. The facility will again be built by FCL Builders, based in Itasca, who are also builders of the Libertyville Sports Complex and Chicago International Produce Market.
Unique Fun in a Cultured Ambiance
“We’re redefining the entertainment and dining experience,” Mr. Schwartz says. “Bocce itself (an Italian form of lawn bowling) is becoming quite popular with all age groups, mostly because it’s so simple.” He says that while he had wanted to open an upscale bowling alley for more than 20 years, it wasn’t until he observed bocce being played in California three years ago that he decided to combine the two games in one venue. “Bocce has an Italian heritage,” he says. “And we thought--let’s combine it with upscale bowling, and create an Italian/American concept that accentuates this duality.” And Pinstripes was born.
Mr. Schwartz has prior experience in combining two great ideas. Before creating Pinstripes, the Cleveland native and Harvard MBA applied his business acumen to Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Inc., an expanding 20-store integrative pharmacy chain based in Colorado that combines conventional and natural health solutions. “Pinstripes is similar in that we’re redefining an industry in a high-quality manner that resonates with the community,” he says. “In the case of Pharmaca, the focus is on integrative health; with Pinstripes, it’s all about having fun.”
“At The Arboretum, we want to offer a full complement of experiences,” says The Arboretum’s Mr. Jaffe. “You’ll be able to stroll through gardens and around lush treescapes, shop at your favorite places, then meet your kids at Pinstripes for a house-made gelato. And they’ll probably talk you into playing bocce with them. Maybe you’ll try it and want to come again. And who knows? After that, you might come back with your spouse for a luxury night at the cinema. The Arboretum is supposed to spoil you like this. That’s what we’re really looking forward to doing.”
The Arboretum of South Barrington is a 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center under development in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs, with completion scheduled for fall 2008. The open-air center, which broke ground in May 2007, is named for the lush treescapes and gardens of its landscape, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. Among retailers at The Arboretum of South Barrington are three unique anchors, including the country’s first Village Road Show Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury cinema experience and the new way to go to the movies; LL Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store; and Pinstripes, Chicago’s own bowling, bocce and bistro concept. An upscale mix of fashion apparel brands, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailers are also planned -- all less than a mile from the four-way interchange at I-90 ( the region’s major transportation artery), at the highly coveted intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 72. Other retailers signed include Arhaus, Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, Ann Taylor Loft, Victoria’s Secret, DSW, Panera Bread, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum of South Barrington, has been developing successful shopping centers and mixed-use projects for nearly two decades across the US, primarily in the Midwest. Firm principal Michael Jaffe has been involved in several notable projects, including Huebner Oaks Center, a 400,000-square-foot lifestyle center in San Antonio, Texas; Geneva Commons, a 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center in Geneva, Ill; and Orchard Grove Shopping Center in Aurora, Ill.
PRESS CONTACTS
The Arboretum of South Barrington
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DODIER & COMPANY
800.970.7392 or 520.299.1000