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Bilski’s, family-run bar in downtown Merriam that couldn’t recover from COVID-19, closing its doors

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When The Hydrant closed in the early 2000s, Chad Dupree and his friends joked about him buying the bar’s space at 5831 Merriam Drive.

Bilskis Bar and Grill
Bilski’s Bar and Grill in downtown Merriam is closing after not being able to recover from COVID-19, co-owner Chad Dupree said.

The joke became reality on Nov. 11, 2006, when Dupree, his mom and sister opened Bilski’s Bar and Grill.

Now, after nearly 15 years in business, Bilski’s is closing for good on Friday, Oct. 29.

Dupree says the family-run establishment has been unable to recover from the financial stress brought on by COVID-19.

“We couldn’t keep it going. We were losing too much money every month,” Dupree said. “We didn’t recover like a lot of places did after COVID. I don’t know why, but we just didn’t.”

Bilski’s will close at midnight, when the lease and liquor license officially expire, Dupree said.

Dupree said owning Bilski’s has been a learning experience.

“It isn’t as easy as everybody thinks,” he said.

Despite the challenges of the last year-and-a-half, Dupree said Bilski’s allowed him to meet new friends that he will keep with him for the rest of his life.

Regular customers were heartbroken to hear about Bilski’s closing, Dupree said. The last few weeks have brought an influx of customers who want their last shot, he said.

Dupree encourages Johnson County residents to support small, local businesses to help them stay afloat.

“I think it’s important for everybody to shop and eat at small places and try to keep them going, because it’s hard,” Dupree said.

A new bar to take Bilski’s place

A new bar, Blondie’s, will be taking over Bilski’s space and is hoping to open Dec. 1.

Owner Kim Osborn Fischer said she’s always wanted to open a bar, and has known Dupree’s family for years.

Blondie’s will feature activities like karaoke, trivia nights, pool leagues and poker, Osborn Fischer said.

Still, as someone who frequented Bilski’s herself, Osborn Fischer said she hopes to keep the bar and grill’s environment alive.

“We’re going to keep the same type of atmosphere as Bilski’s has for some of the customers who are regulars there,” Osborn Fischer said.

About the author

Juliana Garcia
Juliana Garcia

👋 Hi! I’m Juliana Garcia, and I cover Prairie Village and northeast Johnson County for the Johnson County Post.

I grew up in Roeland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission North before going on to the University of Kansas, where I wrote for the University Daily Kansan and earned my bachelor’s degree in  journalism. Prior to joining the Post in 2019, I worked as an intern at the Kansas City Business Journal.

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