The visual contrast between the scruffy, long-established bar and the refurbished sandwich shop next door on W. Washington Street was hard to ignore. Indicative of a trend in downtown Athens, both businesses are gone now, replaced with something shiny and new.
Uncle Ernieâs Pub nâ Grub and The Max Canada â the two adjoining businesses at 235 and 243 W. Washington Street â officially closed their doors early this January. Both businesses were managed by father-son duo, Ernie and Daniel Battinelli.
The space will be occupied by a new tapas and cocktail concept called Paloma Park, slated to open this spring. According to Daniel Battinelli, Jason Dunn is taking over. Dunn owns and manages Infusia Inc., one of the many corporations involved in downtown development projects, and has held management roles at places like Sandbar and Buddha Bar.