Rich & Savvy Cigar and Bourbon Lounge on Washington Street in Clarkesville is gearing up for a major transformation – starting with its name.
Soon to be rebranded as 1442 Cocktails and Café, the lounge’s sole proprietor, Richard Avirett, is introducing a fresh and unique experience to downtown Clarkesville.
A native of a suburban area just outside Tampa, Avirett served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1990s and deployed to multiple combat zones during various campaigns. Following his military service, he built a career in the security industry before he launched Rich & Savvy in July of 2023. His goal: To fill what he saw as a gap in the Habersham and Clarkesville community.
Now, with this upcoming transformation, Avirett is ready to elevate the experience even further.
“I noticed that, here, there was nothing like this in the whole area,” Avirett said of his decision to open Rich & Savvy. “The direction this place is going and the people that are moving here are the kind of people that frequent this kind of executive establishment.”
Name change
By March, the establishment will shift its focus from cigars and bourbon tastings to exceptional finger foods, superior drinks and live music. According to Avirett, the decision was largely shaped by his patrons – particularly the 56% of his female clientele, many of whom, he says, “all say the same thing.”
“I knew when I started this place that I was going to expand,” Avirett said. “…but (women) have all said the same thing: ‘I love the cocktails. I love the environment. I hate the smoke.’ It was kind of a no-brainer to say, ‘Hey, I need to listen to my clientele.'”
The transition will also introduce a new highlight: quality hors d’oeuvres at fair prices.
Within the next month, 1442 Cocktails and Café will expand its offerings, opening as a café during the morning hours (7 a.m. – 11 a.m.), where guests can order coffee, charcuterie, oysters, shrimp cocktail, cakes, pies, desserts and other pastries.
The name, Avirett explained, comes from the establishment’s address there on Washington Street.
After 11 a.m., the focus will shift to craft cocktails, made with what Avirett describes as “a high-end Atlanta mixology” approach – without the high-end prices.
“All of my recipes are handmade,” Avirett said. “We’ve invented them, so when you come here, you’re going to get a drink that you couldn’t get anywhere else.”
Entertainment, affordable prices
Live music will take center stage in the later hours of the day and nighttime hours, Avirett said, as he aims to bring in emerging talent from across Georgia and the broader Southeast. He also hinted that stand-up comedy shows could in 1442 Cocktails and Café’s future.
“My goal is to bring more music in,” Avirett said, adding that he plans to hire around four additional employees. “We’re going to do music at least four days a week. On the weekends, we’ll liven things up a little bit more and stay open a little bit later (between 12 a.m.-2 a.m.).”
“We really want to be a venue for great food and entertainment at a reasonable price,” he said. “An exceptional place without these exorbitant prices.”
Looking ahead, Avirett envisions opening a modern-day speakeasy in the downstairs space – though access may come with an exclusive monthly membership. The area will also be available to rent for private events and gatherings.
As planned, 1442 Cocktails and Café will operate Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. until around midnight, in its 2,400-square-foot location in Clarkesville.
Ultimately, Avirett is clear about one thing: 1442 will not be a bar. Instead, he describes it as a welcoming space built on camaraderie and community – a place where people can come together to enjoy great food, drinks, and entertainment in a positive and inviting atmosphere.
“One of the things we pride ourselves in is that people don’t come here to get drunk. People don’t stagger out of here,” he said. “We are a true social lounge. We are a lounge, not a bar.”
“This is a fresh start,” Avirett added. “It’s a big start. After being here for two years and really getting to know the community, the community has told me what they want. That was important to me to organically grow into something that the people of this town actually want.”
