Myxx to open at former Jillian's space

Perhaps best remembered by locals for standing-room-only crowds on championship fight nights throughout the 1990’s, Jillian’s is set to reopen as Myxx in May 2011.

Owner Kim Lisboa said Myxx will offer a club-style atmosphere, featuring great food and drinks, entertainment and an eclectic mix of people. The addition of live bands and DJ entertainment, plus more than enough space for a dance floor, could fill an entertainment void within the suburban bar scene and potentially attract large and diverse crowds. “There’s going to be 10 to 12 sofas, cocktail tables, just a very relaxed atmosphere,” Lisboa said. “We’re going to leave a spot at the east end for a dance floor so when we do have the DJ, or any type of entertainment, people will actually have a place to dance in the Heights.”

For years, Jillian’s was popular for its pool and ping-pong tables, arcade games and open atmosphere. But staff turnover and spotty service caused the club’s financial performance to falter, and the business became unsustainable, eventually closing its door for good in February.

With a lot of space to fill, fresh coats of paint, a remodeled kitchen, and new skylights and bathrooms, Lisboa vows that Myxx won’t resemble its immediate predecessor. “The customer service, the staff that we’re going to have . . . we’re going to treat all of our guests as if they’re part of a family. We’re going to expand the bar, so it’s going to be this real cool type of “loungy” atmosphere where people can just eat and drink and have great conversations.”

Despite a wealth of established restaurants and bars throughout nearly every business district in the Heights area, Lisboa optimistically touts the advantages of being situated within the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District-- where she owns the building that also contains Bruegger's Bagels and Aladdin's Eatery--as a harbinger for future success. “It’s location, location, location with any type of restaurant or bar.”

As the peak season for bars and restaurants  approaches, local residents will have yet another food and entertainment venue to consider, “The great big idea is to change this into a great  type of “Myxx,” where you have great food, great entertainment and great drinks—and degagė which means to 'hang and relax'.”