Popular South Suburban Sports Bar And Grill Changes Ownership

CRESTWOOD, IL — A popular Crestwood bar is under new ownership.

Tim Newsome, At the Office Sports Bar and Grill, 4901 Cal-Sag Road, announced that the sale of the bar was finalized last week. Newsome and his wife, Debbie, ran ATO for 10 years.

“It was time,” Newsome, 62, told Patch. “When we first bought it, we didn’t have grandchildren. My father-in-law passed away last so we help my mother-in-law. Now we have six grandchildren. I wouldn’t be able to devote as much time as I used to.”

The Newsomes were patrons of ATO when they bought it from six partners in 2015. The Crestwood bar and grill draws customers from across the Southland, which hosts summer car shows, live music, bingo, karaoke, family events and this past winter, a curling league.

The new owner, Tommy Psaltakis, was manager of At the Office when the Newsomes took it over in 2015. Psaltakis has continued his involvement with the bar.

“He’s always been involved with the food and recipes. He’s a talented chef,” Newsome said. “He finds the best deals with our food and beverage vendors. He has ideas for recipes, the food is good now, but it will be better.”

In November, At the Office earned legendary status when the wildly popular Park Lawn Queen of Hearts Raffle jackpot climbed to $2.3 million. The weekly progressive raffle, where if the queen is found the winner splits the jackpot with Park Lawn, will continue every Wednesday. Newsome will also continue calling the raffle, whose patter leading up to the drawing has been memorized and recited back by the loyal regulars.

“I’ll continue until Park Lawn fires me,” Newsome joked.

In April, Newsome received Park Lawn Charities’ Blue Sapphire Award for his support of the organization’s programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Newsome was recognized for his generosity, who never charged Park Lawn a dime to host the raffle, and his community leadership, at the organization’s Rhapsody In Blue Gala,

During Wednesday’s drawing, Newsome thanked his wife, Debbie, who was involved in the bar’s back end, and customers.

“I just want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart. We could not have done this without the kind of customers that we have,” Newsome said. “We have the most loyal, sweetest and nicest customers around”

Over the next few weeks, a new sound system will be installed in the Crestwood bar. Psaltakis said he will reveal his plans for ATO in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Newsome plans to attend his six grandchildren’s sporting events, and drive them back and forth to their practices.

“My plan is to stay retired and ride off in the sunset,” Newsome said.