The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and for the proprietors of all the local watering holes, that means the advent of bar season.
This year, Jen Shultz has resurrected a Muncie tradition: Cheers Tavern.
The bar has been around for decades, but sat dark and lifeless since 2009. Shultz, 37, remembered frequenting the bar before it closed and decided to breathe new life into it. She bought the bar in January, and Cheers reopened its doors in April.
"It's a place you can sit down and have a conversation with someone without having to scream at each other," she said.
That is, unless it's a Thursday or Friday night when the bar has karaoke. Or every other Saturday when DJ Goldie of WCRD 91.3 comes out. On alternating Saturdays, there is live acoustic music from local bands. Either way, Shultz said the bar is likely to be packed. Trivia night on Tuesdays can get lively, too.
The bar is fully stocked with three domestic and three imported beers on draft at all times. Fat Tire is selling well at the moment, Shultz said.
Every day has a different drinks special. On Wednesdays, 16 ounce Miller Lite Drafts are $1.50 and wings are $.50. And on Thursdays, Corona, Tecate and frozen margaritas are $2. Tacos to go with the margarita are $1.25. Fridays and Saturdays have Coors Light and Miller Lite Buckets five for $9, respectively.
Food is an important part of Shultz' vision for Cheers. She said she didn't want typical bar food.
"We have steaks, ribs, chicken," she said. "We roll our own noodles. We do different things that other bars don't do."
The meat she uses comes from Lahody Meats, off North Wheeling Avenue. Shultz said she tries to get as much of her products from local sources as possible in an effort to support other small businesses in the area.
Homemade pasta aside, there's one item that regulars like Richard Maddox can't get over.
"[They have] the best cheeseburgers you'll ever eat," he said.
Maddox, now semi-retired from his job with Honda and a long time musician, said he's trying to watch what he eats. He didn't intend to have dinner when he stopped by Cheers after a rough day.
But when the waitress carried a burger by him on the way to another customer, he said he couldn't resist. Nor could he resist the potato chips, which are made in-house.
"It's always been my favorite place," Maddox said. "For years, I've come here. When they closed it's like, ‘What am I going to do now?'"
Camille Lamé, 39, began patronizing the bar in her 20s. She was excited to see the lights on again at Cheers after the two years it was closed.
"It's such a friendly atmosphere," Lamé said. "The food is great and they treat you like a regular. It's a great way to meet some folks from the community."
That is exactly what Shultz said she hopes will happen at her bar. She said the crowd she gets is diverse, ranging from college kids in their early 20s to a group in their 80s that comes every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the dot.
"You get a little bit of everybody; it depends on when you come in," Shultz said.
She keeps the décor "homey" because she wants people to feel welcome, not awkward or out of place. Vintage prints of Coca Cola girls and old Hollywood film stars cover the walls. A high shelf runs around the main room, full of knickknacks such as a retro Ritz tinand model trains. Shultz said these items have been there for the better part of Cheers' 28-year history.
A stone fireplace dominates one wall. Shultz said the bar will have fires in it during the winter months. There's a pool table, digital jukebox and arcade game. Nine televisions show football games and other sporting events.
As she prepares for bar season to get into full swing, Shultz said she hopes people will try out her version of Cheers.
"I'd be surprised if you didn't have a good time," she said. "Most times we see them once, we see them again."
Other Info
Hours
Mon-Wed: 11 a.m. – midnight
Thur-Sat: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun: 12 p.m. – midnight (football season only)
3823 N. Broadway Ave.
Muncie, IN 47303
Under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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