LEXINGTON, Mo. — When an iconic piece of Lexington, Mo., began to crumble last June, customers hoped to see it repaired. Then on August 1, much more of the pub came crashing down, and within hours, the owner, Katherine VanAmburg, passed away.
Some thought that was the end, but Riley’s is back and on St. Patrick’s Day welcomed patrons back.
The stream of customer was steady, but not overwhelming. Those who had to wait a few minutes to be seated took a trip down memory lane. Some things never change, like the menu or the staff. But it doesn’t take more than a glance to see Riley’s Pub looks different.
“This is more homey than pubby,” said Becky Morton, new owner.
The biggest change, there’s no bar and no room for one. But there is plenty of the old Riley’s everywhere you look.
“Been able to salvage a few pictures, some tables some and a few mementos,” Morton said.
One thing that hasn’t changed, the feeling you get when you walk in. It’s something the previous owner said was most important. Morton works on it daily and it’s as present as ever.
“We want them to come back come to have a good time good food,” Morton said.
Kathy Morgan knows that feeling. Her uncle, Forrest Riley, opened up the original pub. She said walking in on this St. Patrick’s Day was different, but the same.
“I came in here and still felt at home because of the girls here and good food and the good service. That’s what a pub is all about,” Morgan said.
Nothing is left where Riley’s once stood on Main Street. Morton hopes to return someday, but for now, it’s the same old Riley’s — just a few blocks away.
