CHARTER TOWNSHIP — Before Corena’s Bar & Grill opened on June 1 at 3024 Old 31, its nighttime bartender Aaron Narrato would travel to South Bend to compete in a pool team. Now, he plans to play on Corena’s four tables when the restaurant’s pool teams start up.

Narrato used to play where he now bartends, when the building was under different owners and known as Roundtable Bar and Grill. He said many pool players, and bar-goers, are coming back to the spot, located between Niles, Buchanan and Berrien Center.

“It’s really good to bring the community back together,” he said. “You got both sides — you got Niles and Buchanan. It’s pretty cool.”

Owner Corena Polly has been working into the “wee hours” of the morning to make sure her restaurant and bar are running smoothly.

“Right now, I’m opening and closing,” she said. “So, I’m here from early in the morning to early in the morning.”

Polly said she has been working the morning-to-morning shift since she acquired the property on March 22. The inside, she said, was bare. So, she spent each day setting up the restaurant and coordinating with numerous businesses and regulatory organizations to stock her shelves, her kitchen, her pool table space and her staff openings.

It is Polly’s first time owning a business. She planned to open a bar in Eau Claire, but she was encouraged by friends to open in the former Roundtable location.

“Every day right now is getting is easier and better, and better, and better, and better,” she said. “Just the start is a little tricky.”

In the meantime, she will keep on working late, preparing for Corena’s upcoming events. The eight-ball and nine-ball pool teams are set to open Wednesday, June 12 and will run from Sunday through Thursday. Teams are still open.

All will be run through American Poolplayers Association and Valley National 8-Ball League Association, two of the U.S.’s largest amateur pool organizations.

Narrato said it is his goal to get the teams to Las Vegas to compete at the national level.

Corena’s will also offer live music at 9 p.m. every Saturday. This weekend’s artist is Take Two, a musical duo playing country and classic rock.

Then there is the food and drink. Corena’s menu features burgers, sandwiches, fried baskets and salads. Appetizers from broccoli and cheese bites to eggrolls will also be offered.

Domestic beer like Bud Lite and Miller Lite are on tap, as is Bell’s Brewery’s Oberon. Bottled and canned craft India pale ales are also available. Liquor is also available.The bar, and additional tables, are in a space sectioned off from the larger pool. The bar area has two TVs and a digital music player, where customers can purchase songs to be played.

The pool room has four new pool tables at its center and seating for two to four people per table along the walls.

Narrato said everyone is welcome at Corena’s, even families with children before 9 p.m.

“It’s an easy atmosphere. It’s mellow,” he said.