Jillian's looking at Waikiki presence
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Restaurant and game emporium Dave & Buster's could see some competition if Kentucky-based Jillian's finds space in Waikiki to open an entertainment and dining club.
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Louisville, Ky.-based Jillian's is seeking about 60,000 square feet of space in Waikiki, according to Fred Noa, a vice president with CB Richard Ellis Hawaii Inc., which is representing the chain of entertainment-themed restaurants.
Jillian's, which was founded in 1988 as a billiards-themed eatery in Boston, has grown to about 40 "clubs" featuring billiard tables, bowling, giant-screen TV lounge, electronic games, music, dancing, a bar and typically two restaurants.
The clubs, which range from 15,000 to 75,000 square feet, cost between $8 million and $9 million to develop, according to a Nation's Restaurant News article last year.
A Jillian's spokesman in Kentucky yesterday referred a call requesting comment to the company's development department, which did not return a message.
Jillian's, which on its Web page describes its growth plans as aggressive, has been considering a Hawai'i location for at least three years, and had been considered along with Dave & Buster's to be an anchor at Ward Entertainment Center.
Dallas-based Dave & Buster's, which at the time had 29 locations, reached an agreement with the center's owner at the time, Victoria Ward Ltd., and opened a 42,000-square-foot complex two years ago.
Dave & Buster's remains the only bar/restaurant/entertainment center of its kind in Hawai'i.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.
