You may not have noticed that the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana has changed ownership, and that’s just how the new proprietors want it. Co-owners and friends Charlie Harris, Sam Payne, and Marten Stromberg don’t want to change the bar’s atmosphere or what it has come to be for so many people. Instead, they hope to add on to the tradition of live music and unassuming atmosphere that has attracted patrons to this downtown Urbana hotspot for decades. The trio started out as regulars who enjoyed the timeless feel of the bar and the neighborly sentiment shared by the guests. Watch the video below to see how the change in ownership came almost naturally and take a stroll down memory lane if you haven’t visited the Rose Bowl in a while.
Photo & Video by Steven Pratten