GREENFIELD — Once a patron of the bar and cocktail lounge on Ames Street, John Missale has found himself on a new business venture as the establishment’s new owner.

After buying the building that housed The Balkan Lounge in July, the Hadley resident took over as owner of the business last month, renaming it The Doc & Witch in remembrance of the night he met his now girlfriend.

Both were at a Halloween party, he recalled, and while she was dressed as a witch, he hadn’t come in costume. After a night of talking, she and her friend dubbed Missale the therapist — a nickname that was shortened to “doc” by the end of the night.

“When I was trying to think of a name, I thought that was a pretty darn cool name, and it has that backstory,” Missale said, adding that it’s an “ownable and marketable” name.

Missale, who works in management in the audio/visual industry, said after about 12 years with his current company, he was ready for something new and exciting to do in addition to his day job. That was when he pursued the idea of buying The Balkan Lounge building and business from former owner Abaz Cecunjanin.

“My current role is in management,” Missale said. “I figured I’d give it a shot with something entirely different but still in a management role … in a new stage in my life.”

Having been a patron of the establishment prior to owning it, Missale said he saw “huge potential.”

“Aesthetically, I’ll make some changes internally as well as externally,” he said. “I’m just taking one step at a time.”

The Doc & Witch, which has three employees, will have a broader range of live entertainment, he said. Recently, the bar began doing Tuesday night karaoke.

Hours have also changed slightly, with the business opening earlier on Fridays. The bar will also be open on Sundays, catering to those who are looking for a place to watch football. Food won’t be served but patrons can bring in meals or snacks.

Missale said the city, particularly Licensing Coordinator Lori Krikorian, was “phenomenal” to work with.

“She was really, really helpful and I probably couldn’t have done it without her,” Missale said.

The bar, which offers a selection of cocktails, beer and wine, is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Fridays from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sundays from noon to 11 p.m.

“I just saw this as an opportunity to have a new business venture in my life,” Missale said, “and apply management skills I use in a completely … a new [industry].”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.