By Kathy Miller
Liz’s Bar and Grill, a local landmark for decades, has reopened. The corner bar in New Melle is once again a place where friends gather to share a meal and a cold one, swap stories from the day, and socialize with neighbors.
The building at the corner of Highways D and F was built in 1926, making it 100 years old.
Liz Holloway purchased the building in 1996, and it quickly became the go-to spot. For many, it was the perfect way to end the day or the week. Liz ran her bar and grill her way for almost 30 years before her passing on February 10, 2025. For months afterward, the talk of the town was, “Is Liz’s coming back?” It was sad to see the front porch empty all summer long.
In October 2025, locals were thrilled to see the bar and grill reopen. Zach King, the new owner, is just as excited. Zach was a friend of Liz's and worked for her briefly before her passing; they had been discussing him taking over the bar for Liz.
During our conversation, it was clear that Zach has a true passion for food and for sharing that passion with others through the dishes he creates. His career has focused on the industry in various roles, from running kitchens to food distribution. Zach is offering a menu of high-quality food at reasonable prices. Daily specials are now on the menu, including country-fried steak, Taco Tuesdays, pasta night, steak 
night, and more. Zach plans to change the specials periodically to keep things fresh. The bar and grill also features a full menu of favorites, including the “Best Damn” ½lb Burger, wings, homemade soups, chili, and more. Liz’s offers convenient to-go orders as well.
In addition to the menu changes since reopening, Zach has refreshed the interior, keeping the same overall look while adding several large screens and a tribute wall to Liz. The bar and grill is now open seven days a week and serves lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. No more asking, “Is Liz’s open today?” Keep checking the Facebook page for updates to the hours. Zach plans to continue adding days to the lunch menu.
Randy, Liz’s son and the building’s owner, is excited to have the bar open again and is working closely with Zach to shape its future. Together, they’re looking to expand the restaurant and bar, add more outdoor seating, and are even considering a pool room in the back to increase dining space. From the start, they agreed on one important thing: the name couldn’t change.
The building and business needed upgrades and someone with the passion to keep it going. Randy, who has no desire to run a bar and grill himself, found that in Zach. Living above the bar saves Zach time on his commute and gives him the flexibility to do prep work when it suits him, so he can spend more time with his kids.
Zach said that working in the kitchen is his true passion. He thrives under pressure and gets an adrenaline rush when the tickets start coming in—he’s ready to knock out the orders. “I love this place and what I do so much that it doesn’t even feel like work,” he added.
Liz’s Bar and Grill is more than a corner bar—it’s a piece of New Melle’s history, brought back by people who care deeply about good food, good company, and a community that’s glad to see the lights on again.
Whether you’re stopping in for a hearty meal, catching a game on the big screens, or just enjoying a cold drink, you’re helping write the next chapter in a story that started here 100 years ago.
Zach and the New Melle Chamber of Commerce are planning a ribbon-cutting when the weather warms up. Check back for details.
To learn more and see the specials of the day, follow them on Facebook or visit lizsbarandgrill.com
Brothers, Dominic King (L)
and the owner, Zach King (R).
Zach appreciates all the support
his brother Dominic has given him.
Dominic works part-time along
side his brother.
Zach at the grill preparing the
night's specials.
Inside of the Liz's Bar. 
Tribute wall to Liz. 
Arlie Welge (left) and Edwin Paul sit by the gas
pump that used to be at the
corner of the front porch.
History Of The Building:
Back in May of 2002, Dianne Sudbrock wrote a story titled “Two Enterprising Young Men Built Store/Dancehall that Hosted Social Events for Decades,” with some outstanding photos.
The building was constructed by Edwin Paul and Florence Joerling in 1926. They also operated a nearby garage and repair shop, ran a local trucking business, and are credited with providing the town of New Melle with its first electricity.
In the early years, Mr. Paul and Mr. Joerling operated a general store on the first floor at the front of the building. They used the back of the building as a warehouse and trucking terminal for their local truck route. The men went to local farms to pick up produce and livestock, then hauled them to the city, and brought back supplies, furniture, and other goods for local businesses and residents.
The second floor of the building later served as a dance hall and auditorium until the New Melle Community Club—now the New Melle Sports and Rec—was built in the 1960s. The hall featured a stage used for public dances and hosted weddings, anniversaries, school functions, and community meetings. The first dance was held on September 25, 1926. Some of the first organizational meetings for the New Melle Volunteer Fire Department were also held here, and the public school had a Halloween party there in the early 1950s.
Ownership changed hands over the years, and in 1970, the building was sold and then closed for a short time. It reopened in 1976, when Ruth Nolkemper purchased the building. She moved the bar to the front of the building and started offering soups and sandwiches for lunch, along with a limited supply of groceries. During Ruth’s ownership, Bob Curdt opened a small barbershop in a back room, which was still operating when Dianne wrote this article in 2002.
To read the entire article with historical pictures, click here.