One question has been front and center for longtime patrons of the 1029 Bar after the announcement of the business’s sale last month: Will the bras stay up?
For decades the “Tenner,” located near the intersection of Broadway and Marshall St. NE, has been a favorite Northeast neighborhood haunt featuring local beers, weekly meat raffles and colorful brassieres strung up along the bar and ceiling.
On April 29, Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald, co-owners of Smack Shack, bought the bar from longtime owners Troy Olsen and Scott Fossland.
Despite the new ownership, patrons can still expect the space to remain an archetypical corner bar, Thoma said, “It’s kind of business as usual.”
On April 29, it was announced that 1029 Bar would be sold to Smack Shack owners Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald. (Provided)
Smack Shack and the 1029
The 1029 bar holds a special place for Thoma and Fitzgerald. Smack Shack began in 2010 as a casual seafood food truck, a literal “marketing vehicle” seeking a permanent home, Thoma said.
It found that home in the 1029 Bar’s kitchen in December 2010.
At that time, the 1029 Bar was only serving Heggies Pizza and Olsen and Fossland were wary of including seafood on the menu.
Thoma recalls having to explain that Smack Shack was not, in fact, serving sushi but an East Coast lobster roll.
Smack Shack’s lobster roll has been on the menu ever since, where it was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2012.
“To be able to go back to where it all started and continue the legacy of this neighborhood institution is a true honor,” Thoma said.
The two intend to maintain the bar’s neighborhood feel, including the many bras strung across the bar. That said, they have planned a variety of changes, such as a fresh coat of paint and the addition of seafood raffles. (Graham P. Johnson)
Changes and continuity
Thoma highlighted the importance of the continuity of prices, traditions like meat raffles, bingo and longtime staff for the 1029 Bar.
“People come to see people they know,” Thoma said.
Despite that continuity, several “TLC” changes are planned. These include a fresh coat of paint, the addition of seafood raffles and an upgrade from taking orders with a humble pen and paper.
“There is no one better suited to take the reins of the 1029 than Josh and Kevin. They have been our partners and friends for over a decade, and I know the bar is in the best possible hands,” Olson said in the press release about the sale.
So when finally posed with the question of if the bras are staying up in the space, Thoma’s answer wasn’t all that surprising.
“I guess they can stay,” said Thoma, musing that they might have to come down temporarily — if just for a wash.