The calendar is nearing June, and the smell of summer hangs in the air. Memorial Day weekend kicks off my most anticipated season of the year and all that comes with it - baseball, lightning bugs and barbecues.
Gearing up for those hot summer nights, J. Pfenny's Sports Grill & Pub added an outdoor attraction over the weekend, opening its new deck, featuring tropical frozen drinks.
Owner Dan Pfenenger said the new space will make a nice addition to the summer.
He noted that some people drive all the way to Columbia, but can now stick around town. "We can do the same thing right here," he explained. "It is something the city didn't have."
The new outdoor space will feature more than 10 flavors of tropical frozen drinks. The deck promises a relaxing atmosphere, complete with TVs to watch the summer ball games. Live acoustical music will be played on some Thursday and Saturday nights as well.
Adding on
Also expanding its space to meet the growing needs of Jefferson City residents is Prison Brews. The local restaurant and bar is working on the property located next door, creating a fill-over space and event room.
Owner Deb Brown said the two properties share a common wall, so restaurant servers will be able to easily transition between the two spaces. Customers will, however, enter from the street. Brown said the renovation includes keeping as much of the original building as possible, including some exposed brick. The construction team is currently checking out the clay tile floor to see if it can be saved.
"We're trying to keep it as close to original as possible," Brown noted.
The Prison Brews owner said she didn't expect to expand the business but the opportunity arose and she took it. The space will have a stage, bar and recording equipment for bands. The restaurant will host live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and possibly on Sunday afternoons for kids bands. Brown said the space will also be available for private parties and other events.
"The thing that really spurred this thing was having the music over there. It is a little difficult to have live music in your dining area," she explained.
With the extra dining space, Brown said, now those who want to enjoy the music can, and those who don't will be separate. The new area is still in the remodeling stage, and Brown hopes to have it open in late July. Brown said Prison Brews will offer some surprises at that time. "Come by and check it out," she encouraged.
Tavern closes
Munichburg Tavern is officially closed.
Owners of the 418 W. Elm St. business previously informed the city's environmental inspector of its anticipated closure and closed the business approximately two weeks ago.
The local tavern opened in October 2011, featuring bocce ball courts. It often had live music and served more than 26 beers on tap. The building was being leased, so no word yet on what might take the tavern's place in the future.
Know of any business happenings around town? Let us know at [email protected].