Old Joe’s in Lincoln celebrates 40 years

[January 31, 2025]  

On Saturday February 8th, Old Joe’s in Lincoln will spend the day celebrating its 40th anniversary. Guests are invited to stop by, enjoy some refreshments and share memories with the Papesch Family.

The popular tavern located at 209 South Sangamon in Lincoln was taken over by Joe and Nana Papesch in 1985. It had been a bar prior to that since 1969 and prior to that a local grocery store.

In the 40 years, Nana Papesch says that there have been a lot of local patrons that became good friends with Old Joe himself, Nana, and later their son Jeff aka “Sonny Boy.”

The Papesch’s are hoping that during the day and evening on Saturday some of those old friends will stop by, say hello and share a memory with the proprietors.

Nana said that there is a wall they would like to have filled with photos of friends past and present. If anyone has pictures of themselves either in attendance at a special event at the tavern, or just a snap someone shot off while enjoying a casual visit, the Papesch’s would like to have that photo for their wall.

So, if you know the place and the proprietors, make a plan to stop in on Saturday and revive some good old memories with Old Joe and Sonny Boy.

Old Joe’s will be open its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on anniversary day.

[Nila Smith]