COLTS

Colts’ Matt Overton's tailgate business: SOLD OUT

Dana Hunsinger Benbow
dana.benbow@indystar.com
He's a long snapper and an entrepreneur. Colts long snapper Matt Overton is finding success in both.

Indianapolis Colts long snapper Matt Overton had his doubts, albeit subtle doubts.

Would his first business venture -- being attempted while he was still a viable NFLer -- register success?

If early signs mean anything, the answer is yes.

The Blockhouse Indianapolis, an exclusive tailgating venue just one block from Lucas Oil Stadium, has sold out for the season.

All 39 spots, ranging in price from $1,200 to $1,500 depending on the size of the vehicle, were snatched up within just over a month.

"We are officially SOLD OUT of our parking memberships for the upcoming Colts season! If any spaces become available we will notify. #GoColts," Blockhouse announced on Twitter.

Members get a reserved, personal parking spot for each of the Colts home games and access for two people inside The Blockhouse. Free food and drinks — Blockhouse partners with Sun King and Triton brewing companies — are served starting about four hours before the game.

Overton, 30, described his vision for the business last month: “We want this to be a very exclusive, tight-knit club,” he said. “I wanted people to feel like it’s a VIP experience.”

This story was originally published July 29 when Overton announced his new venture.

Usually, Indianapolis Colts long snapper Matt Overton calls himself an NFL player.

But this time? “I just call myself the owner,” he says, laughing.

How about CEOverton?

“That’s a good one,” he says.

And a fitting title. In a move that even Overton concedes is unusual in the NFL, the 30-year-old California native has turned entrepreneur while still playing football.

“I am kind of going against the grain starting a business while I’m still playing,” he said. “But I’ve always envisioned and had a goal and dream of starting my own business.”

The Blockhouse Indianapolis, an exclusive tailgating venue just one block from Lucas Oil Stadium, has opened and is taking memberships for the upcoming Colts season.

For a cost ranging from $1,200 to $1,500, depending on the size of the vehicle, members get a reserved, personal parking spot for each of the Colts home games and access for two people inside The Blockhouse.

Free food and drinks — Blockhouse partners with Sun King and Triton brewing companies — are served starting about four hours before the game. Overton wouldn’t reveal which upscale restaurant he has partnered with.

Just 39 memberships are available at The Blockhouse, 823 Chadwick St., and more than half have already been sold. After the regular season, members will be offered a discounted price to use the venue for playoff games.

“We want this to be a very exclusive, tight-knit club,” he said. “I wanted people to feel like it’s a VIP experience.”

So, Overton said, he took that idea and “let my imagination run wild.”

After six months of looking for space Downtown, Overton found the spot on Chadwick and bought it in May.

Crews went to work renovating and Overton worked closely with local designer Angie Jakad Fischer, of Interior Design Therapy, to put just the right touches on the space.

He did a little painting himself, but none of the heavy manual labor.

“My agent won’t let me do any of that,” he said. “It’s hard for me to sit back. I just get so antsy to see it done. But I have been very involved in the whole process.”

The name of the venue was chosen by Overton, a staunch supporter of the military. He searched through a thesaurus looking for words that meant a military base or facility.

When he saw blockhouse, it fit perfectly. The venue is one block from Lucas Oil and it is a cinder block building — an old mechanical shop. Prior to Overton purchasing it, the owners also used it for tailgating.

“I wanted to re-brand and take it a few notches up from that,” he said.

The inside has been transformed into a rustic, modern industrial decor with subtle football aspects.

“When you walk in, it’s not going to slap you in the face ‘Colts,’ ” he said. “But I definitely wanted to have some football.”

Tailgating, as it’s traditionally known with car trunks popped open and grills in the parking lot, won’t be happening at The Blockhouse.

“Some people don’t want to cook in 20 degree weather or when it’s 100 degrees outside,” Overton said. “This is for those people. Come in and park at the same spot, not rushing to find the place, enjoy some great food and drinks and get excited about the game.”

The public won’t be allowed to walk in off the street and pay to hang out at The Blockhouse. But members can bring additional guests for a cost of $60 each.

Food for each game will be themed based on the Colts’ opponent that day. Take the first regular season home game against the New York Jets; The Blockhouse will serve a New York-themed menu.

But The Blockhouse won’t be all football all the time. The venue will be available for private parties, wedding receptions, corporate events and more.

Overton said while he won’t be able to stop by on Colts tailgating days, he does hope to drop in on some of the other events.

“It would be cool to pop in maybe with a couple teammates,” he said. “I am the face of the business. I don’t want to be in the distance just watching from afar.”

Follow Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow.