Acme Bar Reopening

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) -- - A Fort Wayne tradition is getting a brand new beginning. After a sudden shutdown in May, The Acme Bar is set to reopen in about two weeks with a new look and new ownership.

New owner Jeff Parrish says the news of the Acme Bar coming back is already creating lots of buzz.

"We've had families and customers come to the door, wanting to know when we're open," Parrish told NewsChannel 15.

The historic Fort Wayne spot shut down suddenly this summer. That's when Parrish and his wife and Amy saw an opportunity: the chance to save a place they once came to as kids.

"There's been a lot of family traditions in the Acme and we're just excited to be a part of it," said Amy.

So, the couple bought the Acme, and proceeded to buy all the items from inside that were put up for sale during the Acme auction.

Jeff says, "People started getting kind of weird looks on their faces when 109, the number 109 kept winning every bid."

The past few months, they've worked to give the old restaurant a new twist. Workers have restored the tin ceiling, and the original Acme bar from the 1940's. In addition, the booths have been re-conditioned. The jukeboxes have been fixed too.

Amy explains,"We just freshened it up, you know, new paint, new ceiling, new carpet."

"It's gorgeous, I mean it's just like people are going to be stunned when they come in and see this," said 17-year-Acme Bar bartender Sherry Wallace.

While customers check out the new additions, they'll also see some familiar faces. Most of the longtime Acme employees, like Wallace, have been added back. The new owners have also hired for a handful of new positions, bringing the total employee count to around 20.

A few last minute updates and projects have yet to be completed in the kitchen, but the couple hopes to have the Acme Bar back open by December 18th.

The owners tell NewsChannel 15 the food and drinks will largely be the same as the previous Acme Bar.