Zachary Bond (right) recently acquired full ownership of the Players Club at Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby from Mike Sarsen (left). (Mara Morrison – News Herald)
as new owner players club At Willoughby, Zachary Bond plans to hit the business reset button and give it a new identity.
Located at 38630 Jet Center Place in Lost Nation Sports Park, Bond plans to rebrand and rename Players Club to Club Lounge as well as offer a new menu.
“When you go to a sporting event in the club lounge, you get food and drink as an amenity in addition to the sporting event,” says Bond. “That’s what we want to do. We want to be an independent restaurant that performs at a level that allows us to provide the best service to the people already there, where the products are unique, the atmosphere is great, and the staff is friendly and energetic.” I want to be.”
Bond opened with wife Malinda lakeside spots Since opening at 7272 Lakeshore Blvd. in Mentor, the sports park’s owner, Mike Sarsen, has watched the business thrive up close, Bond said.
Bond considers The Spot’s staff, as well as its unique experience, atmosphere and products, to be great assets to their business.
“I can’t reproduce it,” he said. “If you want crème brûlée French toast, you have to come here. It’s hard to do, but when it’s done well, the joy is multiplied.”
Looking for someone to take over the restaurant side, Srsen approached Bond.
“My wife and I started May 1st as is,” Bond said, noting that since the change in management they’ve seen how the staff work, what works and what works. He said that he was assessing and observing whether the
Due to minor renovations, Bond will be closing the Players Club from May 15th to June 4th.
“It’s fast-paced in a restaurant, so sometimes you have to take a breather, do a hard reset, and refocus your attention,” he said. “We love the bones here. We focus on our products, our staff, what we stand for and try to find people who enjoy it and put out good energy.” People seem to be attracted to me when I do that.”
Once reopened as a club lounge, hours of operation will be 4pm to 10:30pm, seven days a week.
“On weekends, the bar will open a little later, or if it’s busy, we’ll stay open,” Bond said. “By October, I think I’ll be ready to bring my lunch home.”
Bond doesn’t start 100% from scratch because he wants people to get the right service the first time, but messing around in the kitchen isn’t completely ruled out. is not.
“We’re going to stick with scratch food, burgers, pizza, chicken wings and do a really good job,” said Bond. We’re going to make sure the consistency is there and we’re going to go with it.”
The Players Club has a staff of approximately 20 people, including part-time and full-time employees.
“When David Bartulovich ran it, we saw the potential for places that were full and had both bars and private events,” said Bond. I am honored to be able to bring it to the place where I took it.
The small front bar, when patrons first step out of the sports park, is the area Bond hopes will become a family-friendly atmosphere.
“Families can come, eat and be comfortable. There are video games for the kids and a fun place to watch the games on TV,” Bond said.
The large bar in the back is a space for adults to gather, and weekly live performances are also planned.
“The Dart League is back, the Patio Bar is back,” said Bond. “We want to expand the patio bar into a seating area. We want it to be a place where people can watch sporting events.”
The second-floor banquet room, attached to an indoor golf course, can accommodate over 100 people and is equipped with a projector screen for corporate events and private parties.
“My wife will be in charge of front-of-house operations and special event planning,” Bond said. We have a lot of options when it comes to private dining, and we’re seeing it work.”
As a chef, he said it’s hard for Bond to loosen the reins in the kitchen, but he’s thrilled to be working with his wife on this new venture.
“When I was at Willoughby Brewing Company, we were doing a lot of this stuff, so it’s funny. ‘New opportunities create new opportunities.'”