Mark Hunter was driving to the grand opening of Hunters Chicago, a gay bar in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village, on that Friday in mid-October 1982, when his car broke down several blocks away. He had to walk to the bar for its opening.
Flash-forward 31 years, almost to the day, and Hunter is walking away from Hunters for good.
On Friday, Sept. 13, Hunter announced he had sold the long-standing video dance bar on Higgins Road, with 5,000 square feet inside and almost 2,000 more square feet outside on the patio.
Robert Brumbaugh, who also owns Progress Bar on Halsted Street in Lakeview, purchased Hunters, which is officially closing after business Sunday, Sept. 22. It will, reportedly, be closed for a week or longer for renovations/modifications, and then reopen as The PhoenixBar.
"I just felt it was time, time to move on. It's just a good time; I turn 60 years-old this year … and am just planning for the future. I don't want to work forever," Hunter said Sept. 13, hours after announcing the sale.
He lives primarily in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and still owns Hunters Palm Springs in California.
Hunter and his partner, Patrick Volkert, have been together for about eight years.
"It's been a roller-coaster of emotions," Hunter said, fighting back tears. "Of course, I'm very emotionally tied to the bar, but I think it was the best decision for everyone involveda good decision for the customers, for the employees, and for myself."
Hunter put the bar for sale in the spring and said he received multiple other offers, but "we felt [Brumbaugh's offer] was the perfect selection for everyone. And after a little negotiating here and there, things worked out.
"We did have other options [beside Brumbaugh's offer]; people who were interested in doing other things with the property, with some very good offers. But we decided that the best offer was from Robert, particularly because he wanted to keep it as a gay bar. I think it's important to have a gay bar in the northwest suburbs."
Brumbaugh tagged Hunters as "an iconic part of the community for over 30 years," and said that when he heard the bar was for sale, "I jumped at the opportunity and I'm delighted that PhoenixBar will continue to serve the gay community from this premier northwest suburban location."
He added, "As with ProgressBar in Boystown, our vision is the same: a place where everyone feels important, from employees to customers to the dignity of the community we serve."
Brumbaugh said the "vast majority" of Hunter's employees will be staying on at the new bar.
"After a week or two of intense remodeling and refreshing of the space, we plan to reopen in early to mid-October with a new look and a renewed commitment to the community," he said. "With the help of ProgressBar's creator, David Sikora, and the new PhoenixBar general manager, Justin Romme, our team is incredibly energized to become the premier gay bar and nightclub in suburban Chicago. We wish all the best to Mark and Patrick, and thank them for the legacy that Hunters has delivered to the community. We can't wait to show them the new PhoenixBar."
Hunter said he doesn't expect the sale and closing of Hunters Chicago to truly hit him until the last day it is open.
"I consider it an honor [to have been open 31 years]; I consider myself to have been very privileged. I was given a huge gift," said Hunter, who opened the bar with his late wife, Marian, who passed away in 1995. "Marian was instrumental in opening the bar.
"I've had a wonderful life because of Hunters Chicago. Since the day the bar opened in 1982, and every day since, Hunters Chicago has been a huge success.
"It's been the home to a lot of wonderful people, and I'm thankful to everyone who has passed through the doors of Hunters Chicago, for all their support, loyalty, friendship and everything that they've given me. They truly are a wonderful group of people. … I'm blessed."
Hunter said he never anticipated Hunters remaining open for 31 years, "not in my wildest dreams."
As for a favorite night, Hunter hesitated and then said, "That's a tough question; there were so many wonderful nights to remember. Every night is a special night; every day was a special day. … definitely some good times."
As for the 20-25 Hunters staff, most will, reportedly, be retained.
Hunters' busiest day annually is Super Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, which regularly drew more than 1,000 patrons.
Hunter said he has been invited to the PhoenixBar, and he does plan to visit. He is not sure yet if he will be able to attend the new bar's grand opening due to his work and travel schedule.
"I want to give a special 'thank you' to all of the employees who have ever worked at Hunters; we've had some really wonderful people [working] there and the current staff really is terrific, absolutely terrific," he said.
Hunter said that, within hours after the announcement that Hunters will close, he received messages from former employees who now live out of state, yet are planning to attend the final Hunters weekend celebration, highlighted by a bon voyage party Saturday, Sept. 21.