On July 19, 1996, The Parkside Sports Bar & Grill opened on the corner of Carroll and Randolph streets in downtown Macomb. Thirty years later, The Sports Corner, now owned by Johnnie McKee of Macomb, continues to evolve as a restaurant, bar and gathering place.
The Brown family of Macomb opened the Park Side in July 1996, and was modeled after Michael Jordan's Chicago sports bar. The business was purchased by Dan and Linda O'Neill and Todd and Tracy Hamilton in 2009 and turned into The Sports Corner@124. McKee purchased the business in October 2021.
When local residents Johnnie and Kamie McKee took over The Sports Corner five years ago, they tapped longtime friend Brian Kerr to manage the day-to-day operations, and since that time, Abbey Thorman has been added to management, helping to oversee Sports Corner and The Park Place, which the McKees bought in summer 2022.
'We decided to buy The Sports Corner because it was a great opportunity to buy a legacy building and business in our hometown,' Johnnie said. 'The previous owners, the Hamilton's and the O'Neill's made it extremely easy and seamless, and working with my childhood friend, Brian, and working with our children were also big factors in our decision.'
Since they took over the business, the McKees have been slowly making changes and additions. They expanded the kitchen in 2022, which also allowed them to expand the menu and get more kitchen staff on board. Two years ago, new windows were installed and some interior renovations took place. Beginning this month, steaks and seafood will be offered Thursday-Saturday (steak night was previously only on Thursdays). The McKees are also passionate about supporting local high school and college athletics and events.
'The best part of owning The Sports Corner is working with the community, hosting fundraisers and being community-minded,' Johnnie said. 'Another good part of all of this is that we get to meet new people and maintain relationships with our regulars, plus we have a great group of employees.'
In the coming years, a few more interior and exterior renovations will take place. Plus, they'll continue to add new menu items and come up with interesting monthly and daily specials, he added.
The Sports Corner is open from 11 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Saturday (serving food until 10:30 p.m.) and from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sundays (serving food until 9:30 p.m.).
