Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill  is open for business and people are raving about the new look, new menu and new future.

 

Charlie’s opened their doors for business Feb. 19 following the closing of the ever-popular Nix Bar & Grill. The new owners of Charlie’s are Ray and Tracie Hogrefe of Clearwater and they employ 24 workers.

 

They bought the building from Al Stewart and  went right to work to make the place their own. They first gutted the kitchen and put in new walls, ceiling, floors and kitchen equipment. They renovated the bar area by adding more seating, removing the hostess stand and putting in a secondary opening to the dining area. They moved  the handicap ramp and added platform seating. 

 

They didn’t stop there. They completely re-did the bathrooms, making them now larger with stalls and made sure they were handicap accessible. They also added a side patio door and  are currently designing a new patio sitting area for their customers to enjoy in summers. 

 

“We have been busy,” said Tracie. “It’s nice to see familiar faces and we are enjoying the opportunity to meet Becker and other local residents.”

 

Ray began his career in the restaurant business years ago as a dishwasher, then made his way up the ladder to cook, then kitchen manager for 10 years. 

 

Tracie started as a hostess and then became a server for nearly nine years. For the last 13 years, the Hogrefes have been restaurant owners at the Brickyard in Clear Lake.

 

The name of the new Becker restaurant came about when Ray and Tracie decided to use the name of their seven-year-old granddaughter (Charlie) for the business. They installed new signs along Hancock and First and are open for business Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

 

The kitchen stays open daily until 10 p.m.

 

Currently, the Hogrefes have a Facebook page for Charlie’s and are working on a full internet website to be opened soon. They offer a full menu of delicious foods and also have take-out available. They have happy hour discounts ($1 off any drink) Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.

 

Though Charlie’s is a bar/restaurant, the Hogrefes say it is a “kid-friendly” establishment.