Popular Jefferson City nightlife spot Shrunken Head Tropic Lounge is under a new head when it comes to ownership.
Wife and husband Tiffany and Conrad Hildebrand, of Jefferson City, purchased the Ash Street tiki bar March 1. Jonny VerPlanck opened Shrunken Head in 2013.
"We became friends with Jonny and his wife just by going there - we were regulars there," Tiffany Hildebrand said.
VerPlanck, who makes VerPlanck & Anchor Distillers white rum at Les Bourgeois in Columbia, had intended to operate Shrunken Head as a tasting room for his rum, but due to legal concerns, could not operate the two so far apart, Hildebrand said, so he offered to sell it to the couple.
The Hildebrands plan to maintain the same atmosphere, mission and menu regulars already know, but have made a minor change by opening the bar an hour earlier on Fridays. Shrunken Head is now open from 6-10 p.m. or later on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. to midnight or later on Fridays and 6 p.m. to midnight or later on Saturdays.
While this is their first venture into ownership, both new owners have experience in the restaurant and bar industries.
"We've been experimenting with some new drinks, but I haven't actually changed the menu yet," Hildebrand said. "We've added some different beers, but that's pretty much it."
Shrunken Head is preparing to host a show by band Five Turn Knot during the Cinco de Mayo Bash on Ash from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday.