Trackside Re-Opening Grows Near

The long wait for Trackside Tavern’s re-opening is almost over. In fact, it’s just days, maybe even hours away. Really.

“The place looks beautiful,” said owner Doc Al Czarkowski in an e-mail. The staff is hired and trained, the glassware is washed and on the shelves. The beer is in the fridge and the liquor is in the cabinet.

Indeed, cold beer and clean glasses leave little doubt the pouring of the first libation is imminent and according to a July 21 post on Trackside’s Facebook, “there is “nothing ‘tentative’ about it anymore.” 

But for now, ‘mum’ is the word on an exact day and time the Decatur “Cheers-like" bar will open.

“We are going to try our best to have a soft opening to avoid a line of people waiting at the door at the same time,” said Czarkowski.

The popular neighborhood bar on College Avenue closed for more than two years due to a fire that destroyed the tavern. The 1917 building was demolished and rebuilt from the ground up.

When the doors do swing open, long-time patrons will find the interior new but familiar since care was taken to recreate the building as close as possible to the original and much of the equipment and memorabilia was salvaged.  

Tables, chairs and booths (the original ones refurbished) are set up and music is coming through the old sound system. Familiar photos and mementos hang on the walls including a copy of a gold record earned by the Indigo Girls given in appreciation of Trackside’s role in their early careers.

The original Trackside Tavern sign, restored and newly painted, hangs above the door and inside dart boards and pool tables are set up and ready for play.

But some changes will be welcome, said Czarkowski. For example, the new digs feature a bigger, wider bar with more space for bar stools and a larger kitchen. The expanded menu will offer its popular sandwiches, burgers and chicken wings along with new vegetarian dishes and salads and menu items will be updated as the seasons change.

“Former regulars will be amazed at the size and functionality of the restrooms,” he added.

Although the clamor for an exact date is rising, the staff is hoping people get the word gradually, although with texting Twitter and Facebook, “it’s almost impossible,” said Czarkowski.  

“My hope is that the re-created Trackside meets customers expectations, feels comfortable like the old Trackside, and provides the 'home away from home' where you can celebrate, commiserate, find a friend or make a new one, no matter how good or bad your day was,” said Czarkowski.

Stay tuned to Patch, Twitter and Facebook for details.