Billy's Inn Is Coming Back!

After 75 years of continuous operation, Billy's Inn closed early this year -- but now it's coming back!

The building at 4403 Lowell Boulevard started life as a service station in the '20s, and then Billy and Judy Smith turned it into Billy's Inn in 1933. The kitchen closed in the early '60s, but James Von Feldt, who took Billy's over from his father-in-law, ran it as a neighborhood bar for more than 25 years, until he sold the joint early this year. Now, after a major cleanup and renovation, partners Christopher Mohaupt, Jeff Hermanson, Joe Vostrejs and Rod Wagner are getting ready to reopen Billy's Inn in early July.

And Billy's will be better than ever, with the kitchen not only open, but offering a modern take on bar food created by consulting chef Troy Guard (buttermilk fried chicken nuggets, fish tacos); there's also a new patio and a bar that includes 75-plus kinds of tequila and twelve beers on tap.

We'll drink to that! And until we can, here's a quick trip through Billy's history -- courtesy of the photographs of long-time customers that the new owners found on the walls of the place. See the slideshow here. Let us know if you recognize anyone, and we'll buy you a drink at Billy's! -- Patricia Calhoun