BABY GIRL does the honors, ripping up our "Losing Our Lease" poster!WE GOT OUR "STAY"!!!
Heading to the bar last night, I hadn't heard from THE DON whether or not the landlord accepted our final proposal, which had been presented over a week ago. If you recall, the basic gist of the proposal was to seek a year-long extension on our lease, with the goal of hammering out a long-term deal. Up until last night I hadn't heard any news regarding the acceptance of said proposal. So when I got to the bar and met with some of the regulars (who were already there to start the final send-off), I basically considered it a done deal; that this was it. We're done. Reality was finally setting in.
As I mingled with the customers throughout the bar, most of them were saying the usual things like "I can't believe this is actually happening" or "This is weird"; or the #1 question for me all month: "So, what are you going to do now?". Up to this point I'd been ambivalent about the whole thing, partly due to denial that this was actually happening; Mostly because I simply hadn't had the time to sit and plot out my future plans. At this point, I figured that I would simply ride out the week, clear out the bar and then take a few days off to recharge the batteries and go about working on my immediate future plans.
A few hours into our goodbye-fest, the DON arrives. He begins to mingle about, greeting well-wishers and such. He finally comes over to the center of the bar, at which point he asks the bartender to turn down the music. "Okay, this is it" I thought. Getting ready for the concession speech, The DON instead announces that a deal in fact does get worked out and we got a one-year extension! So the landlord ended up accepting our proposal! There was a chorus of cheers, meanwhile I was in a dual state of happiness and shock. I feel my body shake as well-wishers congratulate me for the good news.
After the announcement, the patrons went back to their drinking and this time, everyone was in more of a celebratory mood. As I make my way through the crowd, a few of the regulars came up to me and give me hi-fives, which was cool. On the flipside, however, there were a few others who rushed up to me and immediately accused me of knowing all along that this was going to happen. That kinda threw me for a loop as that couldn't have been further from the truth as I only found out the same time as everyone else. And the more that they kept trying to shove that theory down my throat, the more upset I found myself getting. In this business, your reputation is everything and I've worked very hard over the years to build a good reputation in the bar business. And to be accused by someone (let alone a few regulars) of lying about anything, let alone something like this, I gotta be honest, it hurt a bit. I guess you learn something new everyday.
I've known and worked with the Long Family for almost twenty years and one thing I can honestly say about them is that they are and have always been above board in their business dealings. But I guess there will always be skeptics and if they have it in their minds that something's not right, then there's not much you can do to change their perception, even if it's off base.
Now that we are officially back on board for the next year, it's time to get back to the swing of things. First thing on tap: Instead of planning on moving out tv's, barstools, liquor and the such, I now have to get back into the day-to-day tasks of running the bar. That includes rescheduling staff for the upcoming weekend. With the thought of the bar being closed by the weekend, I didn't need to worry about having staff in place. I guess that all changes now (though I rather have the stress of setting a staff schedule than packing up moving boxes any day of the week)!
In the meantime, LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT, featuring HELL OR HIGH WATER, one of the areas finest local bands. Consider it a "celebration" of sorts. It's also "LITE NITE THURSDAY" with all light beers available for $4.00!
Sunday Brew Crew in full effect...
Yes, another episode of "THAT GUY".... in theatres now.
Too much celebrating, no?I want to take this time to personally thank EVERYONE for their overwhelming support through this long protracted real-estate fight. Your words and feelings no doubt played a part the landlord's decision to grant us an extension on our lease. I'm very excited knowing that I will be around to serve you for another year. Here's hoping that Third and Long will be around for the long term. Thanks again!
And finally: Congrats to Mike Fredricks for his winning bid on Ebay for the Third and Long Series II t-shirt. All proceeds will go to the FDNY Widows and Children's Fund.
nuff said
9 comments:
What, no boobies this time? Congrats on the new lease. Maybe the Renter and I will swing on by one of these days.
B to the...
Curt I dont think anybody was accusing you of lying my friend, just seamed like the situation was used to take advantage of everyone and get them to come and pack out the bar every nite for the last week.
If you knew you were going to close (or thought you were going to close) a matter of days, wouldn't you want to see as many of your friends/supporters as possible before your last day?
This is simply one of those cases of damn if you do/damn if you don't I guess. I can honestly assure you (once again) that this was not the case. Would we have run so many drink specials if that were? If anything, if the suggestion you refer to was the case, the opposite would have been true and the bar would have tried to bang you out for every last dime as opposed to practically giving the place away. No?
The thought of Third and Long closing has drummed up some business from some regulars and more importantly brought back some faces that may not have been in for a number of years to reflect and say their goodbyes. But to risk reputation and future business from friends to make a quick buck? I think not.
Thanks for the explanation though.
C-
closing or no closing..the party for the inevitable was fun and it reminded people what a "neighborhood bar" means. glad you will be around...and i hope we dont have to do this again in a year, i am pooped!
congrats! restores your faith in people. cz
Now you can come to Milwaukee and visit your favorite fat asian girl!
Julie
Curt, no one believes that you had anything to do with or knew anything about the "sham". You are the reason that everyone comes to the bar. But come on, are we supposed to believe that there was some 11th hour miracle and they didn't know about this deal for quite a while? This whole situation stinks more than Napolean after he's had 12 gentlemens.
Also, at the end, none of us saw that many drink specials. If the place was actually closing you think they would have shown their appreciation for all those years of business by having open bars for a "final" bash or the sunday brew crew. I hardly saw them giving the place away.
We all think the world of you and you shouldn't take any of this personally. Honestly, we are glad to see that you will be in the neighborhood until next years closing parties.
My anonymous friend, I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you on this topic.
It's obvious that you're going to hold on to your conspiracy theory, regardless of how much I say otherwise. And the fact that you choose to throw out false allegations about "shams" or other claims without (at the very least), putting your name behind them tells me that I shouldn't waste any more energy on the topic.
I am glad that at least you think the world of me. If I only knew who you are so that I can thank you personally....
I love it!
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