Past patrons of Sgt. Preston's in Cedar-Riverside will see at least a few familiar faces when the new
Republic bar and restaurant opens later this month: a bear, a bison, a moose, and a couple of deer.
The mounted menagerie is part of the remaining charm after new owners
Matty O'Reilly and Rick Guntzel pulled out the ten flat-screen TVs and
40 neon beer signs from the former Sgt. Preston's Urban Pub.
What's left is three rooms of exposed brick, ornate tin ceilings,
stained glass windows and fixtures, and the makings of the neighborhood
pub the two restaurateurs imagine.
Republic will cater to the pub crowd, casual diner, music fan, and even
families once the dust settles from the rapid renovation, which began
less than two weeks ago.
The long signature bar will feature a good selection of Belgian, local,
and micro-brewed beers. The by-the-glass wine list features nine reds,
nine whites with a couple of sparklers, and ros�s to boot.
Both will complement the food menu; Republic will feature small-plates
(mussels in white wine; five-spice BBQ ribs) and especially pub fare
like sandwiches and burgers, says O'Reilly, but entrees are available as
well for the sit-down diner: steaks, walleye, bouillabaisse, and more.
The pub's three rooms will transition steadily from bar to dining room
to acoustic music venue (pending licensing later this year).
While this is Guntzel and O'Reilly's first co-venture, the high-school
buddies are seasoned vets with work in nearly two dozen restaurants
between them. O'Reilly owns the 318 Caf� in Excelsior and last year took
over the Aster Caf� in St. Anthony Main. Kuntzel spent years at Jacob
Restaurant Group, which owns Nye's and several Jake's City Grilles and
Sporting Cafes.
The TVs won't be going back up; O'Reilly notes that the stripped-down
interior brings the decades-old bar back to its original state, and
unplugging the dozens of monitors and signs will save a bundle on energy
costs.
They expect the bar to open in mid-May � just in time for patrons to
take advantage of one of the property's other natural elements: the
signature, 200-seat Seven-Corners patio.
Source: Rick Guntzel and Matty O'Reilly, Republic
Writer: Jeremy Stratton