family seek to breathe life into the Hamilton venue with a troubled past.

The Club House Restaurant and Sports Bar could be open before the month is out says co-owner Marico Thomas.

He said: "It's just a matter of getting staff, we will be advertising this week. We already have some chefs.'' The family-run venue in Queen street floundered in various forms after opening as Chit Chat restaurant in September 1996. It finally shut its doors in April last year after a brief incarnation as a late night jazz venue.

However Mr. Thomas said he and parents Fred and Clara Thomas are convinced they have the recipe right this time.

He said: "We invested a lot in the original concept -- when that didn't work we tried to adapt it.

"`But we are going back at it with a whole new style and philosophy. We are starting from scratch rather than adapting it.

"We believe we have a formula for success.'' "At the front there is a whole arcade and there will be a booth selling tickets for local events.

"There's a collection of sports memorabilia. We have things personally signed by Randy Moss from the Minnesota Vikings, and by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant from the LA Lakers.

"There's jerseys here from MBA players and NFL players. We have something coming signed by Mohammed Ali. There's about 50 to 60 pieces of authentic sports memorabilia.'' "We have invested in that, it feels a lot different from most other places.

It's a different emphasis. It's not a bar emphasis. It's about food, fun and games.

"Certain parts of the restaurant always worked for us such as the Internet.

There's ten Internet terminals -- just like before.

"You can enjoy yourself, there will be no pressure and no stuffiness. We are doing breakfast, lunch and dinner and we will stay open late -- at least until midnight.

"Traditionally a lot of the late night crowd don't come to Queen street. It's going to be fun but not rowdy fun. It's not the sort of place where you stand on top of tables braking plates.'' But punters can expect a break on the bill front as the venue will shun the customary 15 percent gratuity common elsewhere.

"If people enjoy the service they will tip accordingly -- they will generally tip more than 15 percent,'' said Mr. Thomas.

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