I wish the Cat's Den owner(s) would reinstate the traditional name Little Ritz. I'm told the name was changed to Cat's Den to honor Dave Sullivan (now deceased) who owned the original Cat's Den at 13 N. Court before it was destroyed by fire in the early 1980's. I understand that's a noble reason to honor someone, but that Little Ritz name was associated with that location for likely 75 years. The Little Ritz went back to the days of serving the workers and patrons of the railroad, the Athens Lumber Company and and the McBee Company, all once in close proximity.
On another note, the lower west end is seeing another change.
http://www.athensnews.com/news/local/german-themed-beer-h... Some of you oldtimers (like me) may remember this location as the site of the "Star Bar" or later the "Roaring 20's" or the "Jamboree", all run by the Abraham family. Primarily "Black Juii", who died in 1983. Its not the same building, but its the same address and location.