MONTAGUE — Last Saturday, July 20, the Atchison family announced that Dan Zuniga has purchased Jimmy’s Pub in downtown Montague.
James Atchison owned Jimmy’s for 20 years and recently made the decision to retire.
“Big thank you to Dan Zuniga,” Atchison posted on Facebook. “Congratulations to you. We wish you and your team the best of luck as you begin a new chapter.”
Zuniga is known throughout the White Lake and Rothbury community for his numerous businesses. He is in real estate, and owns multiple laundromats and Danny’z Rothbury Tavern. Last year, he purchased Big Cat Daddy Walleye and transformed it into what is now Big Shotz.
“I like this bar. I’ve always liked it,” Zuniga said of Jimmy’s. “When it was for sale 20 years ago, I missed the opportunity. I wanted to, but it happened so quickly, I wasn’t able to do so. This is kind of a full circle (moment). It presented itself at the right moment and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll snap this up.’ I think now, with having three bars in a row, I’ll be able to structure some fun and fruitful events for the whole community. It’s going to be fun.”
Zuniga doesn’t plan to make a lot of changes, but rather “polish up” the bar. The biggest change he is making is to the name, dubbing it “Jimmy’z Pub.” Adding a Z to all of his businesses’ names has become a signature.
“So far, the community has been really nice and very welcoming,” said Zuniga. “The community seems to be excited that I’m buying this, and I’m excited that they’re excited. I’m not looking to make a whole bunch of changes here. We’re going to keep all the staff who want to stay on.”
Zuniga said on Facebook that he plans a grand re-opening event sometime in August.
Located behind Jimmy’s is an alleyway that is now called Weathervane Lane. It is part of Montague’s new social district and connects most of the local restaurants on that block, allowing participants to gather and enjoy alcoholic beverages outside in that shared space. Zuniga hopes to take more advantage of this space in the future and make additions, which he has done at both Danny’z Rothbury Tavern and Big Shotz.
“I want to expand the space,” Zuniga said. “There’s a lower level here that’s unused and opens up into the social district area that’s brand new in the back. Right below the deck, there’s another 1,000-square-foot space. Someday I want to expand that and maybe create an event space or just add space. That’s our long-term goal, is to open that space and use it. I’ve done the same thing at my other places, just adding extra gathering and fun space. Something to enhance or accompany the social district aspect of it. There’s a winery and breweries back here now, and that’s kind of all of our common backyard.”
Additionally, Zuniga plans to “clean up” the pub by replacing some furniture and repainting. He also plans on expanding the menu, including his recent high demand for french fries. Zuniga also said he is considering offering a logo contest to the community. He is looking for a new logo, but has struggled creating one himself. He plans to post on Facebook when or if he decides to pursue this.
“I encourage everybody who hasn’t been here or who hasn’t been here in a long time to check it out,” said Zuniga. “It’s exciting.”
