Glen Ellyn business owner Bobby Kellman has taken a cue from the past to bring something completely new to the quaint suburban village in Chicago's western suburbs.
“The Enclave is a space that you can make into whatever you want it to be,” Kellman told the DuPage Policy Journal of the members-only social club he operates in the downtown area. “Most places, you get what you pay for. In ours, it’s whatever you want it to be.”
The Enclave can be used as a distraction-free workspace during the day and a place to unwind over drinks and good conversation after business hours. A $95 monthly individual membership fee grants access to high-speed WiFi internet, a conference room and a temperature-controlled wine cellar to store your favorite vintage.
The alcohol is strictly "bring your own," somehow adding to the club's mystique and conjuring images of an era long gone.
“A lot of young families from Chicago have relocated to Glen Ellyn, and many of them are looking for a cool, trendy place to hang out that’s akin to what you would find in downtown Chicago or even Manhattan,” Kellman said. “A lot of people that have moved here still want to have some of that urban lifestyle. The Enclave is modeled after the speakeasies of the 20th century, complete with its velvet couches, wood detailing and exclusive nature.”
Kellman says that residents from Glen Ellyn and neighboring Wheaton have quickly embraced the Enclave as a home away from home.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “People love the way this concept kind of hits all the different aspects of their lives. We provide the space and all the fixings you need for a perfect night. Bring your friends and your favorite bottle, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
The monthly membership fee – which is $125 for couples wanting to join together – also covers cocktail mixers, snacks, coffee and the promise of no television, bad music, bartenders or bar tabs. Prospective members can visit the club’s website for more information or to request a tour.