Future Unclear, Rebuilding OF Bowl 'Would Make Me Feel Whole': Owner

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest Bowl owner Keith Tadevich has often heard the trite phrase, "take it day by day."

But almost a month after a massive fire destroyed his beloved, longtime family venture and iconic Oak Forest business Oak Forest Bowl, he really "gets" it.

"Something like this happens, I haven’t been through anything like this in my life," Tadevich said. "It’s kind of like losing a family member.

"They say, 'take one day at a time,' and I know now where they get that from."

As Tadevich sifts through what remains, he continues to mull what comes next for the business that's been in his family since 1997. Ruled accidental, authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the blaze to Tadevich, he said, but in the meantime his focus is pulled in many directions. While easy to stay mired in the devastation in the weeks since, he's taken steps forward to solve simpler problems, like honoring customers' commitment to bowling and sand volleyball leagues.

Summer bowling leagues were relocated to one of Tadevich's other alleys, Burr Oak Bowl, 3030 W. 127th St. in Blue Island.

"Those that held out, were signed up with us," Tadevich said, "I want to make sure I thank those who stuck with us, and stuck with my family."

While the nets and sand pits remained untouched by the fires, the adjacent crumbled building and rubble rendered the setting unsafe for even any makeshift summer volleyball leagues, Tadevich said, and they've been methodically refunding league fees.

It's too soon, he says, to know or say exactly what comes next. He'll need to assess insurance funds, research the costs of rebuilding, and decide whether it's feasible.

"So many unknowns," he said. "In a perfect world, our intent is to rebuild. If things all work out, our hope would be to rebuild. We’re so much at the beginning stages, it’s impossible to know."

The fire started in the bowling center's outdoor recreation area The Park, spotted first when one of two employees left after closing was taking the trash out to the dumpster just after 2 a.m. Closed earlier that night, The Park was empty. The employee spotted the flames outside, and alerted the manager inside.

Manager Ed Cubillan was the voice on the other end of the call that woke Tadevich the morning of May 6, and would change life as he knew it.

"I had to do a double-take," Tadevich told Patch, of what he remembers of getting the call. "It just didn’t register. And then my wife woke up with me—we had the video cameras, and she was able to see the flames on the camera.

"Ed told me, 'The Park is gone,' and I remember hearing that and being so confused."

Over the next hours, the bowling center's roof would crumble, leveling the building to only charred remains—only partial walls and its tall, brick entryway sign still standing.

"The first few days, I didn’t even think it was real," Tadevich said. "Some days, I’m breaking down, and I’m emotional. Some days you’re busy and productive."

Tadevich says that time will tell the best next steps. Within a few months, he said, he hopes he'll have a better idea of pricing on a rebuild, and how that might pan out. But he's not ready to make any promises just yet.

"My intention is to rebuild," he said. "That’s what would make me feel whole again. But I'm struggling with the unknowns.

"If we rebuild, it will all be the latest, greatest."

Rumors of people gathering to still use the courts at The Park worry him, he said. The area is fenced off, and trespassing is discouraged. Using the space could be unsafe, he said, especially until the site is cleared.

He asks for patience as he navigates next steps, deciding what's best both for his business, and his family.

"It’s just too early to tell people, ‘this is what’s going to happen,'" he said. "Hopefully in a few months we’ll know enough to have a path forward."

The prospect of a rebuild is heavy on his heart and mind, he said.

"We’re gonna do our damnedest."

One day at a time, he said.

"Hopefully tomorrow’s a good day."