Standing at the corner of Illinois State Routes 157 and 162 in Glen Carbon is a building that has been a grocery store, a brothel and a down-and-dirty saloon over the years. Pending inspections, it will see its next life as The Cabin at Judy Creek, as reported by the Riverfront Times. The new bar is set to open at 3730 S. State Route 157 in mid-November.
Industry veteran Justin Pickering has been working with his father to renovate the space. The project quickly turned from a $40,000 facelift to a $100,000 overhaul, including all new electric and plumbing systems. For Pickering, who helped open Social Gastropub and managed downtown restaurants for years, it has been well worth it.
“I worked in downtown (St. Louis), so I didn’t hang out there,” Pickering said. “I hung out at the Judy Inn. It was a local watering hole and was around the corner from my house.”
Pairing sentimental attachment to The Judy Inn with his desire to attract a different clientele, Pickering has renovated the interior, changed the drink menu and added a food menu. However, he was clear that The Cabin at Judy Creek is not a restaurant but “a bar that serves food.”
Seven of the 10 draft beers will feature local breweries from both sides of the river like Schlafly and Old Bakery Beer. Canned domestics brews will be available on the cheap; think $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon and Busch Light, the cans of which will be recycled and proceeds donated to local nonprofits. The cocktail menu will consist of classic libations like Manhattans with a few infused offerings.
To soak up the booze, Pickering will man the kitchen and serve a grilled cheese-focused menu. Look for sandwiches from a basic American cheese variety to the My Nolan, named for his son and starring brie, apples, peanut butter and honey. Also on the menu will be French bread-style pizzas and occasionally smoked chicken and pork. “I like being the boss,” said Pickering. “I don’t have to ask if adding a new menu item is OK.”
This article appears in November 2015.