NEWS4U AUGUST 2020 | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
LEROY'S TAVERN
TURNS 50!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY WEST SIDE BAR REACHES AMAZING MILESTONE, CONTINUES PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS
It was 2011 and after 30 years in the wastewater business, Terri
Franklin Street Events Association which has raised thousands
Carl was ready for a change. But little did she know that an
of dollars for the community.
entirely different career was on the horizon - one that would give her the opportunity to positively impact the community
But all philanthropy aside, Carl has kept Leroy's going strong
in myriad ways and carry on the philanthropic legacy of her
on the business end, expanding to accommodate 100 patrons
father, Leroy Baize, who passed away after co-operating
and securing family-friendly status just before the pandemic
Leroy's Tavern on Evansville's west side with his wife Shirley
hit back in March. The tavern has been named the top place for
for over four decades. In fact, Carl would purchase the family
karaoke 10 years running and is known city-wide for its pizza
business that year in his honor and learn a whole new trade
and hot wings - which perfectly complement the sports-centric
in the process. "It was a real challenge; I had to completely
décor. Carl and her fantastic staff have adorned the walls with
change hats," she says. "But I surrounded myself with great
all manner of St. Louis Cardinals, IU, UE and USI banners and
people for obvious reasons."
calendars. But Leroy's also supports local high school teams, financially backing both Reitz and Mater Dei booster clubs.
50 years ago this month, Leroy's Tavern opened its doors,
Again, it's all just part of Carl's give-back philosophy. "We've
initially serving as a popular after work hangout "where guys
been blessed many times over and it means everything to be
would sit at the bar and smoke and tell war stories." It seated
able to share what we have."
just 40-50 patrons and boasted exactly one TV. Over time, the tavern would go through numerous
Stop in August 1 for the big 50th
transitions - the Baizes jumped on the
anniversary bash or just pop in this
jukebox craze and even turned the
month to say congrats!
place into a piano bar for a spell - but one thing never changed: the desire to give back. So when Carl took over the reins she was determined to continue her parents' philanthropic efforts, including holding a big charitable
celebration
every
November (her mother's birthday month) with all donations going to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. In addition, Leroy's supports the Fraternal Order of Police, Amvets Evansville and St. Paul's Open Gym as well as purchases presents for needy families at Christmas. So it's not a surprise that Carl was voted one of the area's Top 20 Women in Business by the Junior League of Evansville last year, recognized for her personal charitable work and for serving as a former Vice President and current board member of the
26 | AUGUST 2020
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
Leroy's Tavern is located at 2659 Mt. Vernon Ave. in Evansville. For more info, follow them on Facebook.
