Three couples took over ownership of Charley’s Sports Grill, at 8110 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 350, not that long ago: Salvador Fernandez & Kelli List, Joseph Hetzel & Diane Hetzel, and Nicholas (“Mitch”) Mitchell & Jamie Mitchell.
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Three couples took over ownership of Charley’s Sports Grill, at 8110 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 350, not that long ago: Salvador Fernandez & Kelli List, Joseph Hetzel & Diane Hetzel, and Nicholas (“Mitch”) Mitchell & Jamie Mitchell.
We caught up with them to learn more about Charley’s and their roads there.
*
What drew you to taking over ownership of Charley’s Sports Grill?: Charley’s was one of the sports bars that Joe, Diane, Sal and Kelli frequented because it was close to our homes, and it was a fun place to go. We actually met each other at Charley’s, along with so many other wonderful people. When we found out the prior owner was not going to reopen due to health issues, we decided to buy Charley’s because we didn’t want to see Charley’s close. So, we invited Mitch to be part of the adventure since he had been in the industry. He went from bartending to being unemployed due to the pandemic to co-owning a restaurant in a span of three months.
You offer off-track betting on site, and the Kentucky Derby comes up in May. What is that atmosphere like?: We offer off-track betting throughout the year and when it is Kentucky Derby time, it is electric! The excitement building up to the race, and then it is over in 2 minutes. The Kentucky Derby is a fun way to invite guests who may not normally bet, but want to experience the thrill of the Derby.
Most popular drink/cocktail on site: Our award-winning Texas Mary is our most popular drink, especially on weekend mornings. Tito’s Vodka, Clamato, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and Zing Zang Bloody Mis, with a full Bloody Mary garnish including a piece of thick-cut bacon.
Business hours: We open daily at 9 a.m. Monday 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (poker 7 p.m.). Tuesday 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (cornhole 7 p.m.). Wednesday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (trivia 7 p.m.). Thursday 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (karaoke 7:30 p.m.). Friday 9 a.m. to midnight (live music 7 p.m.). Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight (live music 7 p.m.). Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (poker 5 p.m. and Happy Hour all day).
Hometowns/How long have you called the Valley home?: This is interesting, we cover the country. Joe and Diane are from Madison, Wisconsin, but Glendale is the second home, sometimes I like to say their “real” home. Sal was raised in New York City, but Arizona is home now. As for myself (Kelli), I was born in Glendale but was in Connecticut for over 25 years and I would come back and forth to visit my parents and now I am back home. Mitch is a native of Phoenix and has spent most of his life in Glendale.
What I like most about doing business in Glendale?: Glendale supports each other. This starts at the top from the Mayor to elected officials to city workers to other businesses. The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is amazing at bringing the community together and we are proud to be part of the community.
Interests and hobbies outside of Charley’s: We all like golf. We also like to visit other establishments so we can get to know businesses in our community. We also love sports, after all, we have 32 TVs so we can watch all the games. Arizona teams are always first, but we let Joe and Diane cheer on the Packers and Sal to cheer on the Jets (Kelli is a Jet fan by marriage), and Mitch is of course a Cardinals fan!
Favorite local community cause, and why: Charley’s believes in giving back to the community. Every Monday we have students from Cactus High School who are part of the W.O.R.K.S. program, and we teach them skills that are necessary to work in the restaurant industry. We also have an annual charity golf tournament. Last year we supported Gigi’s Playhouse, which supports individuals with Down syndrome. This year we are working with Veterans IV Veterans. They support our veterans through service, support and friendship. We also host an annual toy drive in collaboration with the Peoria Fire Department and a food drive with Harvest Compassion. Not to mention the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and numerous other local groups. We believe in our community and we need to work together. Our guests love supporting the community and they are incredibly generous.
Best part of owning your own business: The best part of owning our own business is the joy that we bring to our guests, our team and our community. I like to think of Charley’s as a modern-day Cheers, a place to meet new and old friends. We have an amazing team and we love to see how Charley’s has changed their lives. Our guests have become wonderful friends. So, what is the best part of owning our own business? The Charley’s family that has been created.
