Mojo's to Open 'The Exchange' Martini Bar

When the space once occupied by a tanning salon opened up this summer next to Mojo's BBQ Grill and Tavern, owner Aaron Jones wasted little time to secure to 1,500 square foot space for a new martini bar and lounge.

"The Exchange The West End Place to Meet," is scheduled to serve its first customers on Dec. 8 and will be open from Tuesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Jones said the kitchen will be open until 11 p.m. each night and the menu will include Tapa's style food, appetizers and nightly specials.

"We're hoping to be open by next Thursday," said Jones, who has owned Mojo's for the last two years.

Martini's and wine will be served either by the glass or the bottle to what Jones hopes will be a steady stream of younger and older professionals who will be willing to give the new Brewery Lane lounge a try.

Jones has invested upwards of $75,000 to renovate the former tanning salon space and the new lounge will be connected to Mojo's restaurant. The work to create The Exchange has been underway since September. He has already hired new General Manager Chris Gansburg to run the new martini bar and chef Amie Hurd, both of whom worked for Cafe Mediterraneo downtown.

Jones believes his new martini bar has a great deal to offer to people who are sick and tired of trying to find parking downtown. For one thing, Mojo's and The Exchange can offer patrons more than 200 free parking spaces right outside its front doors. He also plans to offer valet parking during the winter.

Jones said the new martini bar will also be available for functions and business meetings. He said he has already booked his first Christmas party in the new lounge and he is sure more will follow.