Rob’s Place is officially under new management and soon it will have a new name, too.
‘I’m excited,? said new owner Viktor Paljusaj, who’s been operating the downtown Oxford saloon since June 2008. ‘This place has a lot of potential that was untapped.?
The Rochester Hills resident has big plans for Rob’s Place, located at 13 S. Washington St. (M-24), starting with changing the name to The 24th Street Sports Tavern.
Paljusaj, who co-owns the bar with his father Rock, of Addison Township, hopes to ‘bury? the negative reputation associated with the bar’s current name.
‘There were only a couple places in town for people to go and Rob’s was not one of them,? he said. ‘We’ve got to get away from that image. That’s why the name has to change.?
Back when he started running the bar last summer, Paljusaj spent the first three months getting rid of the ‘troublemakers? as he put it.
‘The customers that are coming in now are just great people,? he said. ‘It’s turned around faster than I would have ever thought. It’s been a lot of word-of-mouth.?
‘Things are looking up. I know the economy’s bad, but everybody’s got room for a beer and a burger.?
Ultimately, Paljusaj wishes to transform the bar into a ‘home away from home? for people, the kind of ‘neighborhood bar and grill? it once was, a place where families can feel comfortable.
‘People just want to come out and have a good time,? he said. ‘They want to go places where they feel at home and like they’re being treated right.?
Big renovation plans are in the works for the bar including new furniture, new flooring, new carpeting and some facade changes.
‘We’re going to do a little face-lift inside here,? Paljusaj said. ‘It will be a whole different place.?
On the bar’s south side, Paljusaj plans to get rid of the pool table and convert the area into a Martini/cocktail lounge complete with comfortable leather chairs and couches.
Rock Paljusaj, a retired Chrysler worker of 30 years, will be in charge of making the bar’s new look happen.
‘He’s really a fabulous carpenter,? said his son. ‘He’ll be doing all the work.?
During the renovations, one side of the bar will remain open while the other side’s under construction. ‘We’re not going to shut down,? Paljusaj said.
The dance floor will remain intact so customers can enjoy live musical entertainment (DJs and bands) on Friday and Saturday nights.
Since taking over the day-to-day operation last year, Palsujaj’s added eight 42-inch flat-screen plasma TVs to the bar and he plans to install another eight so ‘everybody has a good seat? no matter where they’re sitting.
Paljusaj, who previously owned a Livonia eatery called Archie’s Family Restaurant and Queen’s Coney Island in downtown Detroit, also plans to upgrade the bar’s menu, which right now is pretty much limited to burgers and sandwiches.
He plans to offer more appetizers, kid-friendly items, daily specials, even a couple pasta dishes.
But no matter how the menu changes, Paljusaj said he will still ‘guarantee the best burger in town.?
Those looking for the perfect opportunity to check out what’s going on at the bar and meet the new owner should plan on attending the ‘Tailgate for the Troops? event set for Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 1) from 3-6 p.m.
Louise ‘The Desert Angel? Downs and her volunteers will be packing boxes for U.S. troops serving overseas.
Palsujaj helped raise approximately $3,100 for the care packages by donating a plasma TV, portable GPS navigation system and a couple other items for a raffle.
Don’t worry about going hungry or thirsty on Super Bowl Sunday because Palsujaj is planning to offer $2 beers, $2 burgers and 99-cent coneys.
It all fits into Palsujaj’s philosophy of giving customers ‘good food at a fair value in a good atmosphere.?
‘I think people are ready for a change around here, especially with this place.?