One of the owners of a former nightclub in Schaumburg is reinventing the concept for Crystal Lake and believes his dream that’s been 10 years in the making will fill a niche in the community. Robin Ahmed started out at the Living Room as a doorman in 1998 after becoming bored flying commercial planes six days a week. Before it closed in 2007, Ahmed had found his wife, started a family, owned a portion of the business and started plotting about running a new version elsewhere.
“The Living Room changed my life,” said Ahmed, 40. “This is my dream, to open another Living Room. I want to bring a sexy night out to McHenry County.”He believes he’s found the right spot — the former Porter’s Oyster Bar at 446 W. Virginia St. — for his combination steak and chophouse, martini lounge and VIP room.
“What this county needs isn’t just a good eatery,” Ahmed said. “It needs a place you can finish your evening no matter what the occasion. “Lakewood, Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Barrington, Bull Valley, Elgin — all these places have the 25 to 35 year olds covered,” Ahmed said. “That older crowd doesn’t have a place to go.”
He and many former Living Room employees from Schaumburg are renovating the building, something he learned a thing or two about since he started buying older properties in Dubai, rehabbing and selling them after the restaurant closed.
The concept is to offer dining in a restaurant featuring high-end steaks, seafood and wine, live music and martinis in the lounge, and finally dancing in the C.R.U.S.H. VIP Room. Although all ages in any attire will be welcome to the restaurant, the martini lounge and nightclub will be geared toward the 24 and older crowd and have a dress code. More than 40 couches will create a living room-like experience, Ahmed said.
Arlington Heights resident Barb Holmes, 41, frequently visited the Schaumburg location. “I didn’t feel too old or too young,” she said. “I’m very excited to hear it’s opening up in Crystal Lake. Us 40 somethings need a place too.”
Chicago resident Tracy Geving, 41, agreed. “It’s nice to have a place to go and not feel too old to be out,” she said. With any nightclub, problems can arise, so Ahmed said he’s working closely with the Crystal Lake Police Department and has hired a security staff of 15 to check IDs and create a safe environment.
“It’s always important to be close to the security personnel and police with an establishment like this. If we’re not on the same page, it’s going to be hard for me,” he said. The concept is new to Crystal Lake, leading police to keep a close eye, Deputy Police Chief Eugene Lowery said.
“We’ve had numerous conversations with the owners of the new Crystal Lake location, and we don’t expect any problems,” he said. Schaumburg Police Sgt. John Nebl said the former location never had problems. City officials see potential in the new business. “I’m interested to see how it pans out,” Mayor Aaron Shepley said. “I haven’t heard anything but good. I hope it’s every bit as successful as it was in Schaumburg.”
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