Dragon Tales 5.23
Dragon Tales 5.23
Submitted by Jim Parker on May 29, 2008 - 11:32am.
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Welcome to the latest issue of Dragon Tales, the heretofore ever-so-sporadic e-mail newsletter of the Green Dragon Bistro & Brewpub. But, there is good news in Dragonville, correspondence should become much more regular in the near future as yours truly’s role here morphs into something new. So, without further ado, here’s what’s new at the Dragon.
Wait! Hold the presses! I have just been alerted that it is time to make a special request to all of you women on this e-mail list (which is about one-third of the list members). Now, you know we here at the Dragon appreciate the fine drinking habits of all you beer-loving ladies who frequent our establishment. But it seems the team from Willamette Week’s Drink Guide is having trouble picking you out in the crowd. So, if in the future you could refrain from wearing “T-shirts and sloppy beards” while enjoying your IPAs, Pilsners and Belgians, it might help out our friends at Willy Week. http://wweek.com/story.php?story=10996&hood=1
That is all, now back to the news from “Dudesville”…
In this issue:
Meet Ed Schwartz
Dare we say the B-word?
New seating, indoors and out
Shuffle down to the Dragon
New menu items
Meet Ed Schwartz
If you’ve been around the Dragon the past week or so, you may have noticed a new face. There’s this smiling guy with a goatee and not much hair on top buzzing about, cleaning, painting and generally spiffing up the place. No, it’ not Jim Parker’s less-evil twin, it’s Ed Schwartz, the new majority owner of the Green Dragon.
As we hit the six month mark, it became obvious to the original partners – myself, Lorren “Lolo” Lancaster, Tonya Mayhew and Kevin Reynolds – that the business was going to need a major cash infusion for our vision of the pub and brewery to become reality. Rather than take on a huge loan and strangle cash flow with debt service, or take on additional partners and dilute everyone’s share and complicate the management structure, myself, Tonya and Kevin decided to accept a buyout of our shares by a new majority owner.
Ed is no stranger to the Green Dragon. As an investor in our neighbors, Integrity Spirits, he was one of our first customers and gave us our first ad-campaign worthy praise, calling the sauce for the Cajun Meatloaf Sandwich, “so good you could put it on a dog turd” and he’d eat it. We never took Ed up on that offer, but when he offered to step up and help the Dragon reach its full potential, we couldn’t say no. Lolo remain on board as one-third owner and brewer.
With the additional energy Ed brings to the Dragon, and his passion for seeing the pub reach its full potential, you will begin to see a series of new and exciting changes. Ed has also brought on board Ander Sloan as general manager. Andrews many years of pub management experience, including stints with the McMennamin brothers and Portland Brewing , will give the Dragon the strong leadership it needs to rise to new heights.
So next time you are in the Dragon, stop and say hi to Ed ad Andrew, ten grab a pint and raise a toast to Tonya and Kevin. Tonya’s passion for creating a menu the exceeded the bounds of typical “pub food,” her management of the front of house, all while keeping our financial heads above water were nothing short of superhuman. And Kevin’s work creating a logo and graphic identity have set the tone for the Dragon’s personality and tone.
As for me, I’ve signed on to continue doing marketing, communications and help with beer ordering, so you haven’t seen the last of me.
Dare we say the B-word?
The $64,000 question – OK, double that – has always been, “When are you going to start brewing?” And while there is still no concrete answer, the ballpark is getting smaller. The target right now is to begin brewing in August and definitely to have Green Dragon beer available for the 1st Anniversary Party, Sept. 26. Lolo is hunting for a 15-barrel brewery that will allow us to make a lot more beer than our present six-keg-per-batch pilot system will pump out.
New seating inside – and out
One of the first notable changes Ed has made will be near and dear to the rear of anyone who spent much time sitting on the Bistro side. The old chairs are gone, replaced with comfy captain’s chairs, with more chairs over on the pub side. So now it will be easier – and more comfortable – to grab a seat at the Dragon (just be careful whose seat you grab.)
Speaking of seating, the City has approved our Sidewalk Café license for outdoor seating on the sidewalk. So once the OLCC gives its blessing, you will be able to enjoy your beer in the great outdoors. One word of warning, though: you will have to be seated at one of our new picnic tables to drink any alcohol… no wandering around with your beer. The tables should be out front in the next couple of weeks.
And, those who suffered through last week’s heat wave will be happy to know we finally showed Ed where to switch on the air conditioner.
Shuffle down to the Dragon
Another longtime dream here at the Dragon that is about to be realized is the addition of shuffleboard – perhaps the finest of all beer-drinking bar games -- to your gaming options. Barring another shipping accident (don’t ask), shuffleboard should be installed in the next two weeks.
To celebrate the arrival of the board, the Green Dragon will hold its first Bar Game Triathlon, Sunday, June 22. Sixteen teams of two members each will compete in shuffleboard, darts and foosball for the soon-to-be-coveted Green Dragon Cup.
Entry fee will be $25 per team and will include lunch and three beer tickets per member. There will also be a raffle, beer and food specials and door prizes for spectators with proceeds going to Mercy Corps. Signups for the Sweet 16 spots will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1.
New menu items on the way – we’re smokin’
With summer looking like it may arrive afterall, look for some new menu items, including house-smoked meats. Andrew is working with the kitchen staff to put together a summer menu to go with all of the great beers the warm weather will be bringing our way.
OK, that’s it for now. But fear not, now that I am untethered from the shackles of ownership and management, I will have more time to spend keeping you up-to-date with this newsletter, a new blog and more frequent beer updates.... like one in about 5 minutes.... wait for it... wait for it...
Cheers,
Jim Parker