Snake Pit Saloon on Hold

Tim Reuter
Photo by Linda Karn
This 10 month old credit union lies in the path of the proposed path of Holt Road.

Photo by Jay Thompson

(posted May 10)

Tim Reuter should have been appearing before the Marion County Alcohol Beverage Commission instead of talking to The Speedway Navigator on May 5 in his empty bar. For Reuter, it's a bad sign when a bar called The Snake Pit Saloon, located five blocks south of the track, can't serve liquor in the month of May. For some reason that Reuter is unsure of, his May 5 hearing was delayed until June 2 by the Commission.

"It is the one month in Speedway, I can't miss," he said.

In hopes of having some business in May, Reuter is trying to figure out how he can obtain a special license for race weekend.

Reuter said he spent about five minutes in thinking of a name for his business. He said he was pressed for time to think of a name to fill out the information to obtain the liquor license.

Reuter would rather not open in fear that it would be counterproductive in establishing a customer base. He thinks it would make customers mad if they are expecting to buy a beer after work, and could only settle for non-alcoholic beverages, food and the usual bar games of pool and darts. The name saloon definitely implies that alcohol is being served.

The Snake Pit Saloon's menu will be simple with daily lunch specials. He said he is known for his big burgers. The menu will also include upscale hot dogs, Bratwurst, Italian sausage and beef, and breaded tenderloins. The kitchen was remodeled for better food preparation. He also refinished the hard wood floors and cabinets.

Reuter said he and his wife have owned other bars in the past, including the Tip Top, Billy O'Neal's, Living Room Lounge and Bourbon Street Distillery. Once he builds the business and it becomes going concern, he sells them for a profit.

Reuter was aware of the redevelopment plan before he moved in as a tenant at 4000 W. 10th Street. He expects it to take several years before the Speedway Redevelopment Commission is able to implement the plan at the Speedway Industrial Park's entrance where he is located. The proposed extension of Holt Road, the realignment of 16t Street and 10th Street and Polco Street all intersect in the Speedway Industrial Park.

As for Credit Union 1, located at 4027 W. 10th Street, the proposed extension of Holt Road has raised some definite concerns with branch manager James Dougherty. He explained the road extension will take out the new building that was opened in July of last year. He explained the map showing the Holt Road realignment is an old aerial map showing where the old building was located, so it looks like the road bypasses the credit union. He said no one from the Speedway Redevelopment Commission has communicated any of these plans to him, so he plans to go to the May 19 commission meeting in search of some answers.