Jan. 3, 2024

Although a Garretson sports bar and restaurant has closed, it’s living on in a longtime bar and grill in the community.

Leroy Austin opened The Combine two years ago in the former ‘O’ So Good Restaurant space but closed it in mid-November after buying the Sports Cabin in June.

Austin had been leasing the building in downtown Garretson that held The Combine and took advantage of an opportunity to buy the bar and the building that houses it one block to the north, he said.

“Eventually, the name will be The Combine,” said Austin, noting that the change will be part of a remodeling project that “will probably be a year down the road.”

Updates are needed in the Sports Cabin, which is in the oldest building in Garretson, he said, noting that “it’s been a restaurant and bar pretty much for ever.”

The Sports Cabin, which has a full liquor license, opens at 6 a.m. daily for breakfast, and the grill is on until 10 p.m. every day, Austin said.

The two businesses had similar menus, but a few items from The Combine have been added to the options. “We brought over some of the wing sauces that were popular and some of the burgers,” he said. “We will have the pizzas and fresh chips and salsa in the near future.”

The Combine had eight to 10 signature pizzas, with housemade sauce and veggies cut to order, Austin said.

He’s selling extra restaurant equipment and supplies through an online auction that starts to close at 6 p.m. Wednesday.