New pub on tap near campus

by Melissa Wilson

SBJ Staff

The house beverage at 1211 E. Cherry has switched from cappuccino to beer. Formerly the East Coker Coffee Company, the property slightly east of the intersection of National and Cherry is now the Cherry Street Pub and is set to open this week, according to co-owner Mark Johnson.

"We're hoping to get the college kids in here," Johnson said. "We've replaced the carpet and tile and remodeled the kitchen, so it looks like a new place." Johnson said pool tables and new tables and chairs were also added.

Johnson owns the Cherry Street Pub with his mother and stepfather, Wanda and Joe Fuller. The two-story building is owned by the Kirk A. Heyle Living Trust and managed by Heyle Realty & Counseling Services LLC.

The Fullers and Johnson owned Cousins bar in Nixa for three years. Joe Fuller was a bar owner in Michigan for 25 years, and Wanda Fuller also owned a bar for 13 years.

"Between us, we've got about 50 years experience running a bar," Johnson said.

He said the three owners plan to staff the establishment themselves for the most part and will be open 10 a.m.-1:15 a.m. Monday through Saturday. The pub will serve lunch, primarily consisting of cold sandwiches, and have a full bar, Johnson said.

East Coker Coffee Company closed in May. The building was under construction to replace the roof, paint and make other improvements from the time East Coker's lease ended June 1 until September, Heyle said.

"We really didn't begin trying to lease the property again until September. We had several businesses interested in the property because it's close to the university, including delis, a national pizza chain, retail stores and other businesses wanting to house their offices there," Heyle said.

"The lease application the new owners submitted called for a 'neighborhood college bar,' and I think that's what it will be. The owners are all very well-thought-of by distributors and suppliers, and know what they're doing when it comes to running a bar," Heyle added.