While the abrupt closing of local diner Georgie Boy’s surprised many Charleston residents, they can take comfort knowing the restaurant will soon reopen under new ownership as a sports bar.

Reggie Phillips, Unique Homes manager and owner of the Georgie Boy’s property, said his company will be reopening Georgie Boy’s, which closed in June, under a new name with a completely different theme and different food.

Phillips said the new restaurant will also have a bar that seats 15 people and will serve alcoholic drinks such as margaritas and draft and imported beers, a change he said he thinks will please customers.

“It’s going to be a really nice place to get food and drinks at a fair price,” he said.

Phillips said he got the idea for a sports bar after a restaurant in a local college town incorporated the alcohol appeal as well as an inviting atmosphere for families looking for an enjoyable meal.

Phillips said he is currently working on revamping the menu to be comparable to other sports bars such as Buffalo Wild Wings.

He said the restaurant will serve bar-friendly foods including appetizers, chicken and turkey wraps, handmade specialty burgers and French fries.

Although the restaurant will have a bar, Phillips said he still thinks the restaurant will be a place all ages will enjoy.

“We’re going strictly after the campus crowd, but anybody can come in with a family,” he said. “I think people are going to like it.”

Tracy Baker, a sophomore family and consumer sciences major, said she is excited to see the restaurant to take on a new spin.

“I think it will be different and good for the town if they can do well,” she said.

Phillips said because he no longer wishes for the restaurant to be named Georgie Boy’s, he is currently working on developing a new name for the establishment.

He said he is even open to suggestions from Eastern students.

Phillips said if he decides to use a student’s suggested name idea, he will award the student 50 free meals when the restaurant reopens.

Call Unique Homes at (217) 345-5022 for name suggestions.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or smhall3@eiu.edu.