Paddy’s in Eagle Vail to open again for lunch Monday
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EAGLE-VAIL, Colorado ” One beer a day. That’s all Paddy’s owner Ralph Dockery is asking from his loyal customers. And now those customers can buy that beer a day at lunchtime again.
After a drop in business forced Dockery to cut lunch came news Friday that the Eagle-Vail bar and restaurant would reopen for lunch starting Monday.
Fewer than two weeks ago, the owner of Paddy’s in Eagle-Vail, had wondered if he could keep the doors open at all. His bar business was good, but the restaurant side of the operation had dropped, dramatically, starting in January.
Unwilling to lose money, even on a place he loved, Dockery started cutting. He’d cut the restaurant’s hours, cut staff, cut expenses.
The local rumor bill started buzzing that the restaurant was about to close. Dockery promised the place would stay open through St. Patrick’s Day, but wouldn’t pledge to much more than that.
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Then Paddy’s had its best St. Patrick’s Day ever. Negotiations with Paddy’s landlord and a potential buyer are continuing. People agreed to work part-time instead of full-time.
Now Dockery’s ready to keep Paddy’s open as long as he can do it, including for lunch.
“There was just a huge demand,” Dockery said.
Once the buzz started that Paddy’s might close, Dockery saw families he hadn’t seen in a while. Dozens of calls came from friends and regulars.
While people are coming back, at least for now, Dockery’s also found himself doing more around the restaurant. For now, he’s become like the owner of a startup business, taking out the trash, cleaning the windows and generally being the first one in and the last one out.
“We’ve been here 30 years,” he said. “We’re going to do what it takes to get things straightened out.”
Business Editor Scott N. Miller can be reached at 970-748-2930 or smiller@vaildaily.com.
