BEVERLY — Rick Cunningham is ready to punt after 36 years as the owner of The End Zone Tap in Beverly.
Cunningham, 63, said Monday his tavern as well as the building at 10036 S. Western Avenue is for sale. The deal includes a second-floor apartment and a separate storefront that houses a small boutique.
"It is hard to give up the business. It is kind of sentimental," said Cunningham, who bought the building with this father and another business partner in 1980.
Cunningham and his wife, Eileen, are the sole owners of the property and business now. It is listed at $455,000 with Prospect Equities Commercial Realty, according to Gary Stubits, the agent handing the deal.
Cunningham said Stubits was hired about two months ago, and the price dropped at that time. Previously, the business and building were listed at $599,000, according to real estate listings from last year.
The property totals 5,010 square feet — half of which belongs to the bar. The End Zone features a small patio in the back, a side room with a pool table and some off-street parking. The 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom apartment is currently being used by the tavern owners as an office.
J-Jireh Unlimited Boutique has occupied the adjacent storefront at 10034 S. Western Ave. since 2012. The store sells women's clothing and accessories, according to its Facebook page.
The End Zone and its building have actually been for sale since 2015. A buyer recently expressed interest, but there's been no a formal offer, said Cunningham, a Beverly resident.
"Now actually is a pretty good time" to get into the bar business, he said. "It would be much better if the Bears could turn it around. Notre Dame too."
Nearly ever square inch of the End Zone is occupied by some sort of sports memorabilia. Some of the photographs and posters are what you would expect, celebrating the Chicago football legends. Others are more personal.
Among them are pictures Cunningham's late father hung of his friends. The bar also celebrates local high school football teams, including those from Mount Carmel, Brother Rice and more.
Cunningham is Crusader alum. He also played football at the University of Iowa from 1974-77, so the Hawkeyes are well represented throughout the bar, which will make walking away difficult when the time comes.
"Everything has got to come to an end," Cunningham said.
