Now, more than ever...

photo from Andy's web site.

we appreciate Andy's.

Twenty three years ago Kevin and I opened a little cafe at the then unlikely corner of High and Cross Streets. A year later Andy Goddard opened her establishment on High Street, and we quickly became Saturday night regulars, closing the bar more than once, our own work over for the week. We became a little more hit and miss when we moved to Kennedyville, but lately we've been there on alternate Friday nights, for the tasty food and comfortable surroundings, served by professional bartenders and often including a chat with the proprietress. We usually discuss our mutual interests in the business of running a business, including those thorny issues of staff, purveyors, and of course, landlords. Twenty two years is a long time in this business and Andy has been the sole proprietor for most of those years, with late nights, rowdy patrons and kitchen duties being only a few of her obligations.

Andy's has always been "the bar" in Chestertown, as in "I'm going to the bar tonight", and everyone knows you are talking about Andy's, but those days are about to end. Her lease is not being renewed and her landlord is buying her out. We are not sure what Chestertown will do without Andy's...it's a monumentally sad moment in history, when our own cultural icon is taken from her faithful fans. We expect these next two weeks will be proud and really, really busy ones at The Bar. We'll see you there on Friday!