After temporarily closing on Monday, The Union Bar and Grill will reopen on Friday with a partially new staff and a cleaner look.
Upon returning from his four-year term as a Major in Iraq, bar owner Lou Lenart found that The Union's owners inability to oversee day-to-day operations made it difficult to maintain enough revenue to remain successful, Lenart said.
The Union has fallen from Lenart's original vision
and four years ago, it was more inviting, had better customer service, and ran more efficiently, Co-owner Courtney Lenart said.
Over the years the feeling of welcome-ness has diminished Lenart said.
During her husband's leave, Courtney Lenart managed book-keeping while raising their daughter and studying for her MBA. Because she could only oversee the Union during the day and not late at night, she was taken advantage of and frequently lied to about operations, she said.
We need someone that we can trust Courtney Lenart said.
Courtney Lenart said she has hired somebody to oversee night operations at the bar.
Wanting to create one of the greatest rock and roll venues
Lou Lenart said he closed his business to revamp the inside, reorganize the discipline policy, retrain old staff and train the new staff.
The new, revised staff will take care of customers and also follow the law strictly to avoid serving to minors, Courtney Lenart said.
Lou Lenart will be back in Athens for good in September, and plans to keep the Union open but may sell it to an interested buyer.
ACRN Promotional Director Brian Ostrander said that he felt relieved to hear that the Union is reopening. He books at least two to three shows a month at the Union.
The White Stripes played at the Union
the Black Keys played at the Union-it's legendary
Ostrander said. The Union's absence would have left a giant gap in the Athens music scene, he said.
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Caitlin McGlade
