Johnny's Fine Food and Spirits has been part of the Valley's past for 15 years. And then, one year ago, the popular restaurant suddenly closed when the restaurant and the owners of the location they had rented for 14 years couldn't come to an agreement on the lease, according to a Johnny's manager at the time.

In January, Johnny's reopened at their new larger location in the Boardman Center shopping plaza directly to the west of Southern Park Mall, with a banquet hall next door.

And then the pandemic hit in the Valley weeks later, shuttering most restaurants. Unfortunately, the restaurant which had been gone for five months didn't get a chance to get re-established before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnny's, which had always offered fine dining, officially served its last meal on Saturday, July 18. 

But that is not the end of the story.

John Berndt, the owner of Johnny's and The Pour House restaurants, told 21 News that his new bar and casual dining establishment, Beef and Keg, will be opening in the same location at 7334 Market St. on Wednesday. 

According to Berndt, the new bar and restaurant will offer a simplified, casual dining menu and feel. The Beef and Keg will focus on the bar and drinks, and an expanded sandwich menu but will still offering steak, chicken and shrimp. The bar will offer a variety of beers, drinks and cocktails, according to the restaurant's website, beefnkeg.com.

Johnny's Banquet Center, next to the restaurant, is still open.