Closed for remodeling since July 2013, Arch and Column will open to ring in new year

Tuesday, December 23, 2014 | 6:00 p.m. CST; updated 9:40 p.m. CST, Tuesday, December 23, 2014

COLUMBIA After 1 years of remodeling, Arch and Column Pub will have a grand reopening Dec. 31, showing off its freshly painted walls, refinished bar, new TVs and repaired plumbing.

"I expect this place is going to be jammed," owner Pitt Potter said. "Were going to overflow onto the patio without a doubt."

Arch and Column has helped local charities, such as Trail to a Cure, an HIV/AIDS research fundraiser, by raising money through various activities and shows.

"Its become a community center," Potter said. "Everybody gets treated very well here. It certainly started out as catering to the gay community, but as people found out, we welcomed everybody."

Arch and Column, 1301 Business Loop 70 E., originally opened on New Year's Eve in 2002. It closed in July 2013 for renovations. Shortly after closing, Potter realized he had more work to do than he anticipated.

To fund the renovations, long-time friends and patrons Jesse Graham and Billy Granneman created the Arch and Column GoFundMe page on Dec. 7, and Potter's partner, Mark Wadley, helped get additional financing.

According to information on the page, Potter struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which made it difficult for him to complete projects.

"There were a whole bunch of projects that I had started but not finished, so it was a state of overwhelm for me," Potter said.

The page has served as a way to allow contributions for the final renovation phase from people who could not visit the bar in person, Graham said. So far, $940 has been raised with a goal of $1,800.

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Closed for remodeling since July 2013, Arch and Column will open to ring in new year