Cricket restaurant with simulators to go before public hearing in Wheeling
On Wednesday, the plan commission will review the 604 The Arena project for the former Buca di Beppo location at 604 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Public hearing for an unusual venue on Restaurant Row
The Chicago suburb of Wheeling will host a public hearing on Wednesday for a new-concept restaurant called 604 The Arena. The venue is planned for the former Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant space at 604 N. Milwaukee Ave., along the area’s well-known Restaurant Row.
The project is drawing attention not only because the vacant building may finally gain a new tenant, but also because of the concept itself. Combining dining with cricket simulators is, at the very least, an unconventional proposition for an American suburb.
Plan commission to hold hearing and issue recommendations to the village board
The hearing will be conducted by Wheeling’s plan commission, the body that reviews land development matters and formulates recommendations for the village board. It is the village board that ultimately makes the final decision on approval of projects such as this one.
The session will include presentation of the architectural and business plans for 604 The Arena, along with requests for the necessary permits and variances from building code requirements. The public hearing format allows local residents and interested parties to ask questions and share their views.
Dining, a lounge area, and cricket simulators under one roof
The 604 The Arena concept brings together several elements in a single space. Among the venue’s announced features:
- a full-service kitchen with a complete menu;
- a bar and lounge area for relaxation;
- cricket simulators that allow the game to be played indoors;
- a dedicated space for private events and corporate gatherings.
In essence, the format resembles the eatertainment venues gaining popularity across the United States — such as Topgolf — only with cricket instead of golf.
Growth of the South Asian community fuels interest in cricket
Cricket, with a history spanning several centuries, originated in England and spread around the world, becoming especially popular in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. The game bears a distant resemblance to baseball but has its own complex system of rules and scoring.
In the Greater Chicago area, interest in the sport has grown noticeably alongside an expanding South Asian immigrant community. This trend appears to be one of the key arguments behind the choice of a cricket theme for the new venue.
Cricket’s popularity is growing beyond eatertainment venues as well. Analysts note that online betting on cricket matches has nearly doubled over the past two years, and the trends have shifted. Sportsbooks are recording record registration surges during major tournaments such as IPL and T20 World Cup.
In researching this article, we reviewed several relevant sources and were able to find here data on welcome betting bonuses for cricket from PinUp. Similar growth in activity has been observed among other major operators, including Melbet and Megapari. All of this confirms a broader trend: cricket is moving beyond a niche pastime and developing into a full-fledged industry with a growing commercial infrastructure. For projects like 604 The Arena, this dynamic provides additional support for the viability of the business model.
List of requested permits and building modifications
To move the project forward, the applicants have filed several requests that will be considered at the hearing:
- a special use permit for the space;
- variances from building code requirements currently in effect;
- approval of an addition to the existing building;
- a permit for facade renovation.
Each of these items requires separate review by the commission, making the process a multi-step one.
Hamro Investment Group and the fate of the vacant building
The project is backed by real estate investment firm Hamro Investment Group. The plans were first made public in May 2025. The building on Restaurant Row has been vacant since 2023, when the Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant chain ceased operations at that location.
For Wheeling, revitalizing a vacant property on one of its main dining streets carries significance that is both economic and reputational. Prolonged vacancy of prominent commercial spaces rarely benefits a district’s business image.
Wednesday marks the first public stage of the approval process
Wednesday’s public hearing will open the formal review stage for the project. Once it concludes, the plan commission will issue its recommendations, and further approval will proceed through the standard procedure set out by Wheeling’s municipal regulations.