After being closed for more than a year, Cy’s Roost, one of Ames’ most well-known bars, is scheduled to open again this week.

The familiar cardinal and gold establishment will be open for business at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Under new ownership and management, Cy’s Roost, 121 Welch Ave., will also have a new, fresh look.

“We tore down some walls and put in a big patio door and really cleaned the place up. The upstairs will have a lounging feel, with some couches and a few coffee tables,” says Chad Soppe, manager of Cy’s Roost.

Construction on the bar started more than one year ago, but was temporarily put on hold while the owner opened another bar in Des Moines, Soppe says.

Cy’s Roost, previously owned by Patrick Greene, was shut down in 2000 after the Alcoholic Beverages Division in Ankeny suspended Greene’s liquor license for 60 days. Despite the alcohol suspension, Cy’s Roost was still allowed to keep its restaurant open.

Greene was charged and convicted with bootlegging and selling to minors, after sponsoring several tailgate parties before ISU football games in the fall of 2000. Minor charges were also made after an independent bar check by the Ames Police Department.

Soppe says he thinks the bar was shut down by the City of Ames out of fear Greene may have tried selling the bar to his wife, and then distributing alcohol under his wife’s name.

Despite Cy’s Roost’s rocky past, Soppe says he is very excited to re-open the bar and is ready for the construction to be done.

“We have lots of work to do before next week, but Cy’s Roost has been around for 25 years, and everyone knows and remembers where it is. That is what will help it to stick out among the other bars,” Soppe says.

Just as before, Cy’s Roost will have a full kitchen serving burgers, deli sandwiches, buffalo chips, soup and more. It will be open for lunch every day at 11 a.m., Soppe says.

Cy’s Roost was also home to the original Buck Burgers, but Soppe says the Buck Burger location on Wednesday evenings will most likely stay at Paddy’s, 124 Welch Ave., and he is unsure of any other drinking specials.

ISU students and alumni said they remember Cy’s Roost and are looking forward to its re-opening.

“I remember Cy’s Roost as a hangout bar that had its definite regulars,” says Megan Helmers, ISU alumna who graduated in 2003. “It was a good place to meet and just sit and have a drink, but I am definitely excited to see the changes that have been made.”

— Daily staff reports contributed to this article.