GARYVILLE — Jerry’s Bar has been part of Patrick Millet’s family for as long as he can remember. When Patrick was just 5 years old, his disabled father took a leap of faith, purchased a plot of land in Garyville, and opened the bar that would provide for their family for decades to come.

Ferrell Joseph Millet, also known as Rip, established the bar in 1969. In 1970, Jerry Tamplain became the first of many to lease the space that would be known as Jerry’s Bar. Many years later, it was named Cricket’s Corner under a different lease.

Last week’s soft opening reintroduced Jerry’s Bar to the community under its original namesake. Located at 234 Museum Street in Garyville, Jerry’s Bar is a transformed space. Improved air conditioning, painted walls, and new ceiling fans and lighting are among the extensive renovations Patrick Millet has instituted to revitalize the old bar.

“When my dad told my mom he wanted to open the place, she thought he was crazy,” Millet said. “It’s been in my family as long as I can remember, since I was a child. I remember going there as a kid and helping my dad take the money out of the machines. Mr. Jerry ran it for 27 years. He would fry us a hamburger before he opened in the morning. I remember that like it was yesterday.”

With so many memories tied to the building, Millet couldn’t bare to see his family let it go after his father passed away six years ago. Now clean and updated, Jerry’s Bar is a perfect hangout spot for new visitors and older community members who remember the “good ol’ days.” Customers can connect over drinks, kick back and watch one of three big screen TVs or play a round of pool.

“Everybody who came in so far noticed the difference,” Millet said. “They can’t believe it’s the same place. A lot of the older people that go there say they are going to start coming back.”

Drink prices are lower than they were when the bar was known as Cricket’s Corner, according to manager Abbey Dale. She said taking community feedback into account will help Jerry’s Bar succeed in Garyville.

“We’re not trying to make a quick buck; we’re trying to service the community,” Dale said. “We want to bring it back to how it used to be because there aren’t very many places like this in Garyville.”

Millet has worked in a plant for 32 years, and he sees Jerry’s Bar as the start to a new chapter in his life.

“This is something I think I can retire and do,” Millet said. “I can run this place. I can make it happen again.”

With ample land surrounding the bar, there is opportunity to expand with a poolroom and larger bathrooms in the future. Millet eventually plans to offer hamburgers, sandwiches and other small food items. However, the focus right now is on re-introducing Jerry’s Bar to the community and building a loyal customer base.

Jerry’s Bar is open from noon to 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. The first pool tournament will be held on Wednesday.

For more information, visit 234 Museum Street in Garyville or find Jerry’s Bar on Facebook.

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