The Arkansas Travelers said Tuesday that Bill Valentine’s Ballpark Restaurant restaurant at Dickey Stephens Park will close and an "upscale sports pub" will open in its place in time for opening day.
The minor league baseball team announced the change in a news release. ArkansasBusiness.com reported last week that the restaurant would close on Friday. But the Travelers said in its news release that Valentine’s last day will be Sunday.
News of the closing comes after long-time team general manager Bill Valentine announced his retirement last week. The restaurant was named for Valentine.
"Following Bill Valentine’s retirement we immediately began to evaluate our options regarding the restaurant," Travelers general manager Pete Laven said in the news release. "We’ve found the response to a sports themed restaurant to be overwhelmingly positive, and the new menu and new name will continue to pay tribute to Bill and his historic baseball career."
The Travelers said the new restaurant will be called Ump’s Pub & Grill and will be open April 6, the ball park’s opening day.
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