Go for a Whirl

By
February 2020 View more

Craft pizza and beer from the Pivot Room

Yes, Naperville’s new 41,000-square-foot entertainment space features two WhirlyBall courts on its first floor … but what exactly is WhirlyBall? The company’s press release describes it as a combination of lacrosse and bumper cars, where two teams of five use handheld scoops to pass a whiffle ball to each other—and ultimately at a scoring target. In addition to WhirlyBall, guests can enjoy 12 bowling lanes and a multilevel LaserTag Arena, plus multiple event spaces and the Pivot Room, an American eatery and craft beer bar on the first floor. A four-lane VIP Bowling Suite on the second level and HyperBowling—a new game blending technology, lights, and sensors—round out the indoor experiences. When the weather warms, WhirlyBall will open its doors to an outdoor patio, two rooftop terraces, and multiple private and semiprivate event spaces to accommodate groups.

WhirlyBall Naperville

Owner Sam Elias founded the first WhirlyBall location in Lombard over 25 years ago. WhirlyBall Naperville is its fifth location, joining venues in Vernon Hills, Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, plus a recently opened facility in Brookfield, Wisconsin.


Chocolate Kahlúa sea salt caramel cupcakes from Sweet Natalie’s

Retail Reach

Now that the second round of street improvements along Hale and Wesley Streets is complete, a variety of new retailers opened at the end of 2019, with more on the way:

  • Sweet Natalie’s recently moved from Geneva to Wheaton (207 S. Hale St.). The bakery specializes in gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and dairy- and nut-free cookies, pastries, desserts, and other treats.
  • MION Artisan Soap will open at 204 W. Wesley St.
  • Custom furniture design shop Oak & Heir has plans to open at 122 N. Main St.
  • Images Med Spa is open at 104 N. Hale St. and offers aesthetic and skin treatments.
  • Schmaltz Express, which bills itself as “the Jewish deli for the rest of us,” signed a lease for 390 W. Front St. This popular Naperville-based deli garnered positive reviews at last season’s French Market.
  • Longtime boutique Jeans and a Cute Top Shop moved to its new location at 123 W. Wesley in November.
  • Find high-tech entertainment at Arcade V, open at 126 N. Hale St. The space offers virtual reality gaming booths with the technical gear designed to provide a fully immersive experience.

Photos courtesy Sweet Natalie’s, WhirlyBall