The revamping of Austin Avenue keeps getting more interesting, perhaps even volatile.
The latest news came Monday afternoon when Johnson-Dillard Inc's Robert Johnson told me Treff's has closed. After 13 years as Treff's in that location (previously it was Six-Shooter Junction) the proliferation of bars in that area of Austin Ave., combined with Treff's management's need to focus its efforts on its San Marcos tavern, have resulted in another closing on one of Waco's key downtown streets.
Recently Sam's on the Square, less than two blocks away on Austin Ave., also closed. Those two closing coincide with the openings of Dichotomy and Muddle, which have already claimed vibrant places in the downtown nightlife scene.
Johnson said the space formerly known as Treff's will be renovated and put back on the market for lease to parties wanting to open a bar and/or restaurant.
"We think giving it a new look is going to do wonders," Johnson said.
Johnson-Dillard plans to clean, re-paint and replace dry wall and flooring. When asked about the perpetual smokiness of Treff's, Johnson conceded that was a problem they were hoping to fix.
Also, like Dichotomy, the location offers a view of the courthouse through its west-facing windows, though they have been draped for years.
"It's a gorgeous view," Johnson said. "I was disappointed those windows were covered up completely."
The Treff's location includes upstairs and downstairs space, coming in at about 7,000 square feet. There's a kitchen downstairs, though it was phased out of use by Treff's.
Johnson said he didn't have specific parameters for what he hopes a potential tenant would offer the Waco downtown nightlife, but he did indicate a tendency toward selectiveness.
One more bite: What do we want to see move into the spaces formerly occupied by Treff's and Sam's on the Square?
