New Owner Hopes To Improve On Bar's Checkered Past

A 26-year-old waitress and bartender is taking a chance on a Bangor bar that has careened through a series of owners and concept changes - two in the last year alone, according to The Bangor Daily News. Ashleigh Freeman has relaunched the former Benjamin's as Phoenix Pub, banking on its rising from the ashes left behind by "Yolo, a chemical-free dance club targeting students and a younger clientele that operated for about two months and Benjamin's After Dark, which was open for the previous six months." Freeman says she "didn't keep the Benjamin's name because she doesn't "want the reputation," and that's she's "not gearing it toward any certain age group." As part of the transformation, she's making from-scratch bar food, such as mashed potato balls and corn dogs. "I'm not bringing in frozen, premade stuff."

Phoenix Pub and its neighbors, Diamond's Gentleman's Club and Half Acre are joining forces to improve Bangor's downtown. "We're calling it 'The Triangle' right now and working hard to revitalize the area," Freeman said.

· New Bangor Pub Owner Wants Benjamin's Vibe, Not Reputation [BDN]
[Photo:Yolo is now Phoenix Pub/foursquare]