Roosters
Rooster’s Blues House on the Square will re-open its doors today after a monthlong Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control-issued closure.
The restaurant and bar on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Courthouse Square has not been in business since Feb. 20 after reaching a settlement with ABC. Scott Michael, the owner of Rooster’s, said his bar has had a functional relationship with ABC for the last seven years.
ABC allegedly found the bar in violation of the local option laws. Rooster’s sought to dispute this accusation, and as a result, the bar and ABC came to a settlement of a 28-day suspension. The suspension ended March 20 at 10 a.m.
“I can’t wait to see our customers,” Michael said. “I can’t wait to be out on that balcony enjoying that beautiful weather.”
Michael said that during the monthlong closure, Rooster’s underwent some minor cosmetic changes, including refurbished floors, but otherwise he does not plan to change much with the bar.
“We’ve been open in the building since 2008, and nothing’s broken, so we’re not going to fix it,” he said.
During the past month, Michael said he was largely concerned with making sure his employees were able to pay rent and make their money. Many of these employees worked at his other Oxford establishment, Mr. Feather’s Honky Tonk, during the break.
“We’re coming back to Oxford, and it’s going to be sunny and 80 degrees, so I think everybody’s going to be busy,” Michael said. “We’re going to roll through the rest of this month, and then April is a big month.”
Sophomore business marketing major Sam Hart said he spends most of his Monday nights at a table on the Rooster’s balcony and has missed the spot.
“I’m excited about being able to get back inside my favorite bar,” Hart said.
