Revelry closes after eight years on Quincy’s square; business is for sale

January 4, 2024 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher

Revelry's last event was its New Year's Eve party. The bar is closed, but a new owner could step in and take over the lease. — Photo by J. Robert Gough

QUINCY — Rusty Williams said he and his wife, Paula, are going out on their terms.

Williams announced Thursday that Revelry at 119-121 N. Fourth, an upscale bar on the north side and a sports bar on the other half of the establishment, is closed. He said they had a good New Year’s Eve event as their farewell.

Now the couple is looking for someone to buy the business as they head into retirement. Bret and Joi Austin own the building.

“We’re doing it on our terms,” Rusty Williams said. “We have three grandkids, and we want to travel and spend more time with them. We’re also getting up there in age.

“We put our heart and soul into this place. If someone wants to come in and work it right, it’s profitable.”

Revelry opened in September 2016 when the couple bought the bar and the Park Bench cafe. They operated the Park Bench until July 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic.

“COVID hit the bars and restaurants harder than any other business,” Williams said. “We tried curbside service, but we’re really a social place. We want people to come in the door.”

The Park Bench later was converted to Revelry Sports Bar on the building’s south side.

“It’s bittersweet, but it’s time,” Williams said.

Bret Austin said the portion of the building housing the bars will be available for lease.

“Rusty and Paula had a great eight-year run, and it’s been a good business,” he said. “We’re looking to transition to a new business, and we’re open to ideas. Someone could just walk right in, take over the lease and make it work. If someone wants to remodel, we’ll listen.”