Archie's Cocktail Lounge

To end 2025 on a happy note! If you see this guy today, wish him a happy retirement! Congrats Jeff Firkus!

We hope you and everyone have a Happy 2026!

We lost our dear friend Barb (Hughes) Jelinski in May of this year. Barb was a firecracker of energy and a wonderful friend. From volleyball to the famous Hughes parties, Barb was a ray of sunshine and so much fun to be around. We miss you Barb!

Like Roger Shephard, Cheryl West was a customer on Archie's first night and final night in business. Cheryl was a hairdresser and I'll never forget the "body wave" she gave me in high school or the time she saved my Sister when she dyed her hair jet black. I treasure the autographed picture she got for me of the band, Poison. Cheryl was a rocker and rubbed elbows with the stars from her days in Chicago and did Ricky Rockett's hair when Poison was up and coming.

She was a ball of energy that always made you feel great. Nascar parties, bands and just for the hell of it, if Cheryl was there you were in for a good time! We lost Cheryl in April and sadly I could only find one photo of Cheryl in the archives. I know there are more but I just couldn't find them. If I track down more I will add to this post. We miss you Cheryl!

Today we remember our friend and neighbor, Kirk Fadner. He was a "Big Brother" to me and a great neighbor to Archie & Sue. Kirk helped start my first collection (Beer Cans. I actually put some in the washing machine to clean them...) and shared his love of music with me. I remember going across the street to bug him and he would always let me follow him around. Some of my favorite times were listening to records with Kirk. He turned me on The Beatles, The Who and many other great bands. He always made time for that kid across the street.

Kirk would stop into Archie's when he would come to town from Minneapolis. After visiting with his family and friends he would pop down for a couple Points and great conversations. We shared a lot of good times and memories.

Kirk passed in January, shy of his 60th birthday by a few months. We all miss you! We'll meet again at the end of this "Long and Winding Road"