It’s been a long and winding road for Bar Marley. And they haven’t even opened. It’s become an interesting guessing game on the part of many observers. It seems certain, then it seems certainly not. I’ll do my best to untangle the story and give you the twists, turns and opposing view points.
I first reported that Bar Marley would open in September. Given that my report was published on September 2 and the grand opening was set for three weeks later, I got some skepticism mixed in with the excitement from readers. A number of people asked, “Can he really open in three weeks?” It was hard to believe given the distance the space had to go. At that point old vehicles were parked inside the restaurant. I responded that I didn’t know, but that Caleb Boyers had certainly patiently executed his plan for a long time, so I wouldn’t be the one to say he couldn’t do it.
But I was curious, myself. In my interview I asked Caleb several ways and was assured that everything was “turn key” ready. It turned out some things weren’t so “turn key.” The restrooms had to be re-built, which I assume was to be ADA compliant. Other delays presented themselves and when I reported on the opening night, it was to say they threw a party. The party didn’t include Jamaican food or tropical drinks. Still, they did throw a party and assured everyone that the delays would not be long. They clearly had made progress and I figured they would open eventually and sort of forgot about it.
Then Metro Pulse ran an article last week with the skeptical, but hopeful, title, “Bar Marley May Be Opening Next Week.” While a bit of skepticism came through, simply because of all the details that remained to be attended to, Dennis Perkins acknowledged owner Caleb Boyer’s “steely resolve.” That was so Wednesday.
By Friday, Cari Wade Gervin wrote on the Metro Pulse blog an article with the less optimistic, more direct title, “Bar Marley is Not Opening Next Week – If At All.” In the article she points out that unfinished touches are not the primary problem, but rather, “Bar Marley is sitting right on top of a unremediated hazardous site, and Boyers has done nothing about it.” She noted that at best it would take weeks to get the proper testing and clearances. So, it’s clearly not opening, right?
Well, the next twist was that Caleb Boyers posted the video you see here to his Bar Marley FB page. Ironically titled, “Tragic News,” he calmly and somewhat humorously refutes the statement that he’s done nothing to get environmental clearance, stating that “phase two environmental testing is underway.” He refers to people trying to “bash” Bar Marley and ends with an assurance the bar will, indeed, open soon.
I reached out to Caleb for a comment on the most recent article from Metro Pulse online and he said he, “would rather not sink the conversation to a squabble about technical housekeeping.” So, the video stands as his statement, and you’ll have to guess what happens next. For my part, I’ve given you the facts, but on a personal level, I hope very much that the technical issues can be worked out and that Bar Marley opens and does well.
Why? Well, not because I particularly need a Jamaican bar in my life, though it might be fun. No, it’s more because I like it when people dream and I enjoy seeing their dreams become reality. Sometimes dreams don’t happen and sometimes the dreams weren’t realistic in the first place, and I know that. Still, I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. I’ll be sad for Caleb if it doesn’t work out, so, here’s wishing him the best. Stay tuned.