Campustown is now home to a new restaurant and bar: Charlie Yoke’s, located in the building previously occupied by Headliners at Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue.

Jason Crimmins and Michael Roberts, co-owners of Charlie Yoke’s, said the chance to manage their own restaurant and bar came rather suddenly, so they seized the opportunity.

The transition between Headliners and Charlie Yoke’s happened quickly. Even though there is more work to be done, with new paint, licenses, more tables and more games, Charlie Yoke’s opened for business after three weeks.

Both owners have management experience, as well as ties with the Campustown Action Association. Roberts was the restaurant manager of Legends, owner of The Grub Hub, and currently serves on the business development committee for the association.

Crimmins owns Lasting Impressions Tattoo on Welch and is the Cleanliness Committee Chairman for the association.

The owners say Charlie Yoke’s fits right in to the association’s plan to redevelop Campustown. Their aim is to close the gap among the places where faculty and students eat lunch, where students like to hang out, and where students want to bring their parents or out-of-town guests.

Based on the research conducted by the association, Crimmins and Roberts say they know what people are interested in, and they want to give people a reason to come to Campustown.

“There’s an energy in a Campustown that you don’t find in a downtown or on a South Duff,” Crimmins said.

Some of the goals the association hopes to accomplish include bringing in chain restaurants, such as Applebee’s and Olive Garden, and expanding parking in Campustown. While developing businesses and increasing parking is important, Roberts says that something else will draw people to Campustown.

“The main thing is, if you have good food, people are going to come,” Roberts said.

In addition to the food, what makes Charlie Yoke’s unique is its place as the only live music venue in Campustown. While Crimmins and Roberts are in the beginning stages of booking bands, they hope to have a good mix of local, regional and national musicians.

Crimmins and Roberts stress that, while in the same location, Charlie Yoke’s is not trying to be People’s or Headliners. Rather, the owners want to focus on being a college corner bar and grill, providing people with good food, good music and good times.

“It’s kind of crazy to think that somebody is not going to sell burgers and beer in Campustown,” Crimmins said. “It might as well be people who have a vested interest. … This is where we call home.”

Charlie Yoke’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with the bar staying open until 2 a.m. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, burgers, wings, hot dogs, sandwiches and grinders.