
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — A new bar on North Second Street aims to build the local music scene while giving patrons a friendly place to enjoy a drink or play games.
Shattered Saloon, 5440 N. Second St., opened March 19 after owners Amy and Steve Grace spent months remodeling the space. The streetfront building was previously home to Area 251 Bicycles and later a discount retail store, but it was vacant for roughly three years before the Graces took over the space.
“We’re just really excited to be in Loves Park, and so far everybody’s been extremely welcoming and it’s been a fun crowd,” Amy Grace said.
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The bar will have live music at 8 p.m. each Saturday night. Leaving Janes Vegas performs this Saturday, followed by Trash 80s on April 9, Chad Foster on Friday, April 15 and Ratt Baxter on Saturday, April 16.
“We’re here to support the local music scene,” Amy Grace said.
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The saloon also has trivia at 7 p.m. each Thursday and has a variety of games inside, including dartboards, bumper and standard pool tables, Golden Tee and it will soon add pinball machines. It also plans to add video gaming, pending approval by the Illinois Gaming Board.
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The bar serves fresh sub sandwiches, but it doesn’t have a full kitchen. However, it has partnered with local businesses to deliver food to Shattered Saloon patrons. One of those partners is Windsor Pizza Parlor, which delivers to Shattered customers free of charge.
“They’ve been really busy the last couple of weeks,” Steve Grace said.
The Graces also run Nmt Drink, 2233 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, near the CherryVale Mall. They previously owned Detour bar and grill, 1920 E. Riverside Blvd., before selling to Neil Kessman about two years ago.
The new bar is named after the song “Shattered” by the Rolling Stones, one of Steve Grace’s favorite bands, and it has music-themed decor throughout.
Steve Grace said the goal is to have a neighborhood bar vibe with a focus on quality music.
“It’s a nice, relaxing place,” he said. “It’s not a night club … it’s just a great place to come and watch some live music.”
Fast facts | Shattered Saloon
Location: 5440 N. Second St., Loves Park
Opening date: March 19, 2022
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday
On the web: facebook.com/shatteredsaloon

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.