The Reading Gaol Pub and Grill will reopen under a new name and ownership on March 5th.

The bar was opened in 1997 by Paul Winters who passed away last month after a long battle with cancer. Winters arranged the change of ownership in the last months of his life with a longtime patron of the bar.

"We took it over sooner than expected because of Paul's health," said Peter Sunde, the new co-owner.

"It's a strange time to meet someone at the end of their life but the sale was very amicable. He was a man of his word with a fantastic sense of humor."

Sunde said he has been a regular at the bar for a long time and has an affinity for the place.

"I'm fortunate. The opportunity just kind of fell into my lap," he said.

Sunde is partnering up with his friend Samuel Munguia, owner of The Summit Public House and the Alibi Room.

They will close down the bar today, Tuesday, Feb 15, and have a soft opening on March 5th under a new name, not yet disclosed.

"But we want to keep the great neighborhood atmosphere that I fell in love with so long ago," Sunde said.

Sunde, a construction company owner, said they will use this time to attend to some deferred maintenance and install a few upgrades.

Sunde said they will have a full kitchen and bar with a new menu. "We'll have affordable food, local ales and fresh cocktails," he said.