Moore's Bar, a local fixture for over 60 years, has changed hands.
Greencastle residents Jackie and Jay Hopkins, who purchased the historic establishment from former owners and sisters Jenny Butts and Carolyn Hammond, have already begun adding their own touches to the bar since they took over on Monon Bell weekend.
"In the last couple months, we've really brought back the food part of it," said Jackie Hopkins. "We're trying to make it quality food, you know, have a little bit more of a selection."
While menu staples such as the "hangover" breaded tenderloin sandwich remain, new appetizers and old favorites from the recently closed bowling alley now grace the menu.
The Hopkinses also plan to keep Saturday night karaoke and familiar sights such as the iconic tin ceiling.
The name, too, will stay the same.
"It's a great meeting place for people," said Jackie Hopkins. "I think it's one of the only businesses that has been here for the last 60 years."
But the long history of Moore's Bar doesn't keep away newcomers. Students and other members of the university community also frequent the bar.
"It's a nice little break from the DePauw community," senior Melissa Penfold said. "It's a mixture because you get DePauw students there, and you get a lot of Greencastle residents and there are professors in there sometimes, too."
Penfold has been going to Moore's Bar for about a year, often for karaoke on Saturday nights.
"I still love going to the fraternity parties, but when you go to the bars you're looking for something a little different," she said. "[At Moore's] everybody kind of knows your name and it's just laid back, down to earth."
Jen Binder, Penfold's friend and fellow senior, agrees.
"It's not a really stressful environment," Binder said. "I don't have to worry about being judged."
Binder added that Moore's Bar provides students with the opportunity to mingle with all types of people and mirrored the small-town mentality of her hometown.
Penfold and Binder said they liked the changes they've seen since October but both would prefer more seating. Still, Binder said that Moore's Bar is usually the first place she and her friends stop when they go out.
And the Hopkinses hope to keep the young patrons coming back.
"We want to make DePauw feel comfortable," said Jackie. "I love the students."
The Greencastle couple decided to purchase the local tavern last year after learning of the money to be awarded to local businesses under the Stellar Communities Grant.
"We were looking for something to invest in our community," said Jackie, a long-time resident of Greencastle. "We looked at a lot of businesses, and this seemed to be the one that made the most sense."
Like many establishments downtown, Moore's Bar is slated for façade renovations in October as part of the grant money secured last spring.
The couple said they expect to get all new doors and windows, open up the entryway and bring in new seating across from the bar. Jay added that they might even expand south into the building next door.
"We're trying to clean it up a little bit," said Jackie. "We've added security."
The Hopkinses hope these and other changes will open up the bar to a larger clientele.
Penfold and Binder said they've noticed the changes, which also include a digital jukebox, and new seating and lighting.
"It's definitely looking a lot nicer," Penfold said.
The new owners also hope to schedule a live band at least once a month and introduce new food and drink specials. For now, Jackie is simply excited for the start of a new semester.
"We were happy to get [DePauw students] back," she said.