The Bolton Cafe inside the multiplex is also named in tribute. He was ahead of his time,' Keller said.Īnd fittingly, Keller said Rippberger's original slogan for the bar and nightclub was 'Lightyears ahead of the rest,' and he plans to have the phrase on everything from T-shirts and their Facebook page to the exterior sign. Including Carl (Rippberger), the original owner. 'It's going to be different than the original one, obviously because times change, but I want everybody that knew it and was a part of it to be proud. Keller said he and Richardson bought the Backstreet around the end of November, moved everything out of the Joy Road building and closed on their new location in January. Thomas Moses, after the current owner died.
This new venture started when he was approached by one of the bar's previous owners, Dr. 'I was there all the time. I knew everybody that went there.'
'I went there almost every Wednesday and Saturday growing up as a gay boy,' Keller said. He started out working at the original Backstreet on Joy and Greenfield, doing everything from bartending to just lending a hand. It's been a nostalgic venture for Keller, who has come full circle.
