A couple of weeks ago, guitarist James Kibby
invited me to his birthday bash at Don Pedros in Woodstock.
I had an event on the night and had forgotten all about
James’ party.
But Don Pedros is on the way home and as I drove past I
saw James standing outside chatting to a group of people.
I stopped and went to wish James.
That’s when I learnt that Vernie had bought Don Pedros
four months ago.
Vernie is family.
Vernie told me that his intention had been
to turn the place into a live music venue.
But Don Pedros is a small venue and Vernie was finding it
very difficult to sustain the live music concept.
On top of that, the neighbours complained about noise levels
and the authorities were threatening to shut the place down,
because the venue does not have an entertainment license.
|
Don
Pedros has always been the kind of place where you
could go as you are and be who you are. |
The food was fairly good, the drinks were
wet, and the prices were reasonable.
But Don Pedros owed its 20 years of success to the fact
that like-minded people hung out there.
The bohemian crowd, the arty crowd, the musicians, artists,
actors, dancers, poets, comedians and generally the ‘struggle’
people.
Don Pedros welcomed these people with open arms and everyone
felt at home.
Vernie now has no real choice but to concentrate
on good food, drink and ambience if he is to sustain the
venue. But he needed help
Food.
Good food.
A penny dropped.
One thing led to another, and it seems that
I will soon be cooking up a storm at Don Pedros.
But first to clean up the act.
Starting today.
I will keep you posted.
