Pub buP

I’m done prepping the garden.  I have 6 16sqft beds, clay dug out of them, and good dirt and compost put in.  I have 8 stalks of corn and at least 4 (maybe 8, but I’m not sure) watermelons gowing (thanks to dad).  One or two of the watermelons, only about 3″ above the ground, are blooming.  I’ll photograph my work after I’ve cleared out the tree branch I’ve pulled out, one that fell a few weeks ago during strong wind.  Hand saw, here I come…

Calculus is kicking my butt, and I’m having second thoughts about this whole teaching thing.  It’s such to the point that I’ve had another idea.  Here’s the story behind it:

Calculus had been wearing me down, and the wife had gone out with a friend of hers from college to celebrate that friend’s birthday, when the wife decided to call and ask if I wanted to go out with them.  I agreed, and we headed for a gastropub in Knoxville’s Old City district, The Crown & Goose.  Well, if you’ve ever been in that area on a Saturday night about 10:30 at night, you’ll know what parking’s like, as in nigh non-existent.  So, we headed for an old favorite, Union Jack’s on Northshore, which we arrived at after being confused by the detour signs in that area for I-40.  We got there, had some beer, and headed home.  While we were at UJ’s, the wife said, “I wish we had one of these in Maryville.”  Or, something like that.  Well, it got me thinking.  Why not put one in Maryville?  Not necessarily a Union Jack’s or a Crown & Goose, but perhaps something in-between.  A beer, cider, wine & mead bar (no liquor) with a dining room, a British/Irish pub done American style with British inspired food.  Grands plans for one man and no idea how to write a business plan.  I can imagine a whole book just for the place’s plan.  Eventually I want to add a tea room and Orthodox Christian bookstore next to it.

On that note, if anyone’s feeling brave enough to collect names of alcohol distributors used by Union Jack’s, Crown & Goose, and/or other places with good beer selections in the area, I’d be very appreciative.

Translation:  Yes, this is a real plan.  The wife even said she thinks it’ll be so much fun.  I agree.  I’m not blind to the work it’ll take, though.  There are a lot of plans to be made and a lot of work to implement those plans.  Stock?  Beers from around the world, meads from around the world, fresh and hard ciders, and some wines.  Beer challenge copycat?  Sort of, yes, using a point system with annual winners getting an actual prize.  Actual pub?  Yes, since pubs should be open to families, not just some people wanting to nibble on something while drinking and smoking.  Smoking?  Only outside, and not at the entrance.  Darts, billiards, other entertainment?  Of course!  And so many other things to think about.

I have a name picked out with a hidden meaning:  The Bell & Dragon.  I have a menu worked out.  These things, of course, are moot without a location, money, and things with which to fill said location.  And money.  Did I mention this will take money?  Something I’m not good with.

Well, to cut the ramblings off there, this will take a couple of years.  I’ve been told I need to get a regular job for a couple of years to help get financially prepared to delve into this.  May be teaching.  May be something else.  If anyone had a good idea how to write up a business plan for something like this, I’d be grateful.  Any other information would be appreciated, too.

Cheers for now,

Red Wolf