Less than a year after opening, Calypso's Sports Bar and Grill will no longer be serving Greek cuisine in downtown Auburn.
Former owner Sherif Elbagdadi said he decided to sell the restaurant in order to pursue other opportunities.
"It had always been my dream to own a business in Auburn," Elbagdadi said.
Elbagdadi graduated from Auburn in 2009 with a degree in business management.
The Auburn native wanted to offer traditional Greek food and a Mediterranean atmosphere in Auburn. Elbagdadi bought the downtown location and completed all of the renovations himself, transforming the space into a bar and grill.
"It took a lot of work," he said.
Calypso's opened in May of 2010. Soon after opening, Elbagdadi decided to expand the seating and bar area. He purchased the space next door and began construction in July.
However, the new opportunities that arose for Elbagdadi needed his full attention, and he decided it would be best to sell the restaurant. Elbagdadi said owning a restaurant was a definite commitment.
"Time doesn't allow you to do everything you want," he said.
Elbagdadi said he misses the restaurant, but the experience was a positive one.
"I gained more knowledge from that experience than I did in four years of college," he said. "It opened many doors and connections."
The restaurant was sold at the end of October, but the space will not remain empty for much longer.
Brothers John and Thomas Bush, owners of Zaxby's in TigerTown, bought the restaurant along with their partner Wes Whitwood.
The three saw the purchase as a great opportunity to open a family-oriented restaurant downtown.
Renamed Heisman's, the owners hope to open its doors in time for the Super Bowl game Feb. 6.
Heisman's is currently undergoing construction, and the menu has not been set.
Whitwood said a chef has been hired from Atlanta to create the menu.
"Traditional bar food will definitely be available," Whitwood said.
The restaurant will have a regular menu in addition to a bar menu. The kitchen will serve from its main menu until 10 p.m. and its bar menu until midnight. Heisman's will offer a full bar with 20 beers on tap, Whitwood said.
The restaurant will have a quiet atmosphere in the front room and tables and televisions in the bar. Sliding windows in the front dining room will provide an outdoor atmosphere.
"We will be heavily sports affiliated," said general manager Josh Motley. "We're going to have a lot of entertainment and trivia."
Trivia nights are planned for Mondays and Ace's and 8's poker Thursdays.
Heisman's is looking to hire for all positions and is accepting applications.
Whitwood said those looking to apply should come in weekdays between 2 and 4 p.m.
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