photo by: Eric Ayres

Bonnie and T.J. Radevski of TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant in Wheeling announced Thursday that the restaurant was closing on July 31 for renovations and will reopen under new management.

WHEELING — Cold beers and fresh tears were both flowing Thursday afternoon at TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant in Wheeling after it was officially announced that the landmark establishment would be closing its doors on July 31.

Owners T.J. Radevski and his wife, Bonnie, were tight lipped about the future of the restaurant, but noted that the building would be undergoing some renovations after the end of this month, and the business would be reopening under new management in the future.

Many customers were saddened to see an announcement posted on the TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant social media pages Thursday confirming that the popular sports bar and eatery would be in its final inning next week.

“TJ’s is closing Thursday, July 31st!” the post announced. “We’d like to thank the Ohio Valley for 35 years of support and memories (heart emoji). Stop in and see us during our final week!!”

The staff welcomed a steady flow of customers on Thursday afternoon, with many loyal customers extending their well wishes to the owners. While the Radevskis are stepping aside, the staff from TJ’s Sports Garden Restaurant is expected to remain.

T.J. Radevski declined to disclose the name of the new owner or discuss potential changes to the theme of the business or the menu. Looking forward, however, he hinted that the operation would be in good hands.

Looking back, it’s nearly 36 years of very fond memories, thanks to the people who have made the restaurant feel like a home away from home.

“I come here for the bean soup twice a week,” said Dr. Robert Carr, retired veterinarian, who wished Radevski well. “Enjoy your retirement — I’ll miss you.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Radevski said with a hug. “He’s been coming for 36 years — those are the kind of customers I have — loyal, and many of them. Everybody here — it’s a first-name basis for me.”

T.J.’s Sports Garden Restaurant first opened its doors in 1990 in the Woodsdale area of Wheeling at 808 National Road. The iconic mural facade outside the building boasts artwork highlighting a variety of sports legends with local roots. Phil and Joe Niekro. Bobby Douglass, Lou Holtz, Bill Mazeroski, John Havlicek, Chuck Howley, Lou Groza and others are all depicted on the mural in frames resembling sports trading cards.

Inside, the waitresses dress in black and white stripes like referees, and a wall of television sets offer a variety of live sporting events. The table tops and the bar have classic sports cards embedded in resin. There are pool tables, an arcade, a classic popcorn machine and more, along with sports decor that give the place a unique character of its own. The hometown sports bar and restaurant boasts a smorgasbord of popular signature dishes that have kept customers coming back.

“Every one of them is a regular to me — a lot of repeat business,” T.J. Radevski said. “It’s time to step aside. I’m 80 years old. We’ve been here from 1990 to 2025 — for the past 35 and a half years, going on 36 years.”

T.J. Radevski noted that he had been looking for a new owner to take over the business over the past few years. He preferred using the term “step aside” rather than “retire.” But he indicated that he looked forward to it, and he promised that the couple would remain where their heart is — in the Ohio Valley.

“I have a home here,” he said. “This is my home, and this is where I live.”

Bonnie Radevski said they are getting older, and it’s just come time to move on from the busy restaurant business. While they looked forward to opening a new, less hectic chapter in life, they were finding that it promised to be an emotional week-long goodbye to many loyal customers.

“A lot of people come here on a regular basis, and we’ve lucky to have the tourists, too, who have returned year after year,” Bonnie Radevski said. “We’re going to miss them, we really are. I have tears in my eyes when I go around and see the people. They all wish us well, but they all say they’re going to miss us — and I say, ‘not as much as we’re going to miss you.'”