New business taking over the space where burger favorite The Annex Lounge once operated
It was once The Annex Lounge.
Soon, it will be An-Ex Bar N Grill.
Wade Richards, a motorcycle enthusiast and Vietnam veteran, is about to open his first ever restaurant in the former Annex Lounge space at 6305 E. Harry.
Richards, who recently retired from a career in construction, said he “got tired of sitting around the house.” He’s taking over the space where the once-favorite Annex Lounge closed in January 2018 after 60 years in business.
There’s been one other short-lived business in the space since: The Foxhole, which operated from July of 2019 until February of this year.
Richards said he hopes the new business will appeal to everyone. He’s been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was 13 and is an American Legion rider, he said, so he’s sure some of his biker friends will support him. He also wants to welcome families from the neighborhood. Kids will be welcome until 9 p.m.
“Cowboys, cowgirls, bikers, veterans, whatever,” he said. “It’s just a neighborhood bar and grill.”
The food will all be homemade, he said, and he’s purchased a new pizza oven. He’ll also have fries and burgers, though they won’t be the exact same type of burgers that The Annex Lounge had. His will be half-pounders, he said. He’ll also have a steak night and will offer curbside takeout and delivery.
The name Richards chose is a tribute to The Annex Lounge, where he used to hang out frequently, he said.
He’s waiting on some licensing, he said, but he hopes to have the restaurant open next week.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 11:09 AM.
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