08/18/2026
For 12 years, I joked that we were going to own this place forever. An exit strategy? Nope. Didn’t need one.
Then, one day, an interested buyer walked in and said, “I’d like to buy your bar."
And somehow… the deal became real.
Watching other establishments close with no notice always felt cold to me. I don’t want that to be part of our story.
I want to celebrate all the amazing things that became reality throughout these 12 years and go out on a high note.
So, with heartfelt, tearful pride and joy, I can officially say that our last day will be September 2nd.
Janine and I took this huge risk in late 2013. I quit my job, moved closer to Marne, and started managing the bar. Janine cashed in her retirement and said, “Let’s do this.”
And here we are.
I don’t want this to discourage our customers. Quite the opposite.
I want to say thank you.
And honestly, “thank you from the bottom of our hearts” doesn’t even begin to do it justice.
A lot of you have become family to us.
As you are all part of The Pickle Back family, these past 12 years have been flashing through my head since the day this whole transaction started.
I will miss you.
Dave The Cook, who has stuck with us from the very beginning. Through the good, the bad, and the downright absolutely messy times. He has been there.
Mange, who has hands down been our number one supporter. I will miss ‘Be good, Kid.’ As he walks out the door.
Randy, who has been the father figure of the bar.
Wimpy, who I see every day and who tells me when there’s a good “pickin’ and grinnin’” song on.
Brian, who was there every day we were open. Anytime I could make him laugh, it felt like a huge accomplishment. Losing him last year hit hard. His dad pulled Janine and me aside at his funeral and told us how much Brian loved us and our bar. I will never forget that.
Greg and Robyn, … even though Greg hates pickles! I will miss the odd looks I got while training new bartenders to serve Robyn her drink with two short straws. I think I’ve had the most conversations with you both. From early morning breakfasts, lunches, dinners and of course, all the cocktails.
The Powell family, who came in consistently, and sadly, we all had to mourn the loss of Jim, who wouldn’t leave the bar without a hug, no matter how busy I was. I would say, “See you Monday,” and he would say, “Good Lord willing.”
Terry, Judy, Mike, Kathy, Kathy, Jerry and Jan, who came in every Friday to have dinner together. And Jerry, dancing around the bar on a random Wednesday afternoon.
Uncle Tom, who talked me off the ledge too many times to count. He wasn’t much of a talker, but when he did, I listened intently. And his funeral party was the largest tab to date. We all know he’d still be buying rounds at the bar.
Matt and Kathy… These two right here (even though Matt wouldn’t like me to announce this) are two amazing people. Always going above and beyond for us. And Matt, I’m sorry, but you will forever be my go to guy for fixing things I break around my house. And I guess I’m sorry to Kathy as well.
Don and Renee, who always got a huge warm welcome when they came home. It was always time to order more Black Velvet.
Bill and Ben, who had secretly paid for tabs more times than I can count, all while Ben would sit there and say “I can’t even finance a Snickers bar.”
Tim and Wendy, who still came back to see us on big holidays, even though they moved so far from us. I’ve been asked too many times to open a bar in Trufant.
Don and Debbie. Louann and Arlyn. Gerry and Kris. Patty, John, Turk and Roger. John and Sue. Custom Caulking. Sam and Jamie. Mike and Brette. Fred and Pat. Eric and Carla. Teri and Patty. Tim and Julie. DKS Mechanical: Dan and Kristy. All of the Lipski and Zemaitis families. The planned Schneider (Fritz) parties, and all those nights that turned into more Schneider customers than not.
Mark, who became the little brother I always wanted. Jazzy, who I met when she was 9 years old and hired at 16. Erica, who was my first hire (outside of The Pit Stop), and still makes cameos. She’s the OG bartender! Jess, who was probably my best customer before I hired her. And Mara, who has always been there to help us out when we were in a bind.
The 21st through 80th birthdays. Retirement celebrations. Karaoke nights. Janine’s 25 years of golf outings. Tuesday night snowbird group. The 3rd shifters, pre-COVID.
So many people. So many stories. So many memories.
And that’s what The Pickle Back has really been about.
It has never just been a bar. It’s an atmosphere.
It has been birthdays and first dates and a lot of last calls. It has been celebrations, grief, laughter, bad days, good days, friendships, inside jokes, hugs, unsolicited therapy, dancing, and probably more stories than any of us could ever tell.
With tears rolling down my face, I can say that I am incredibly proud of what Janine and I built.
The Pickle Back, as you know it, will close its doors on September 2nd.
But this isn’t the end of the story.
The building will be closed for renovations and will reopen as a new bar, under new ownership, with a new name and a new chapter to be written.
And while that part is bittersweet, I’m choosing to be grateful.
Grateful that we took the risk.
Grateful that Janine said, “Let’s do this.”
Grateful for every person who walked through those doors.
Grateful for every friendship, every story, every celebration and every memory.
Most of all, grateful that for 12 years, we got to call this place ours, and that you all helped make it what it became.
But before we hand over the keys and turn the page…
We have some celebrating to do.
Let’s go out with a bang. ❤️
