by Lorie Lewis Ham
This January a Reedley icon reopened in downtown Reedley, The Pub. The Pub had been a staple of Reedley for years, but then suddenly was gone. Now it has reopened with new owners and a redesign, but the same familiar feel people love. Michael Boss and his family are the ones who have reopened the Pub, and we took a moment to chat with him about the “new” Pub.
KRL: Please introduce us to those now running the Pub?
Michael: The Pub is run by the Boss family, Michael, Donna, Michelle, Chris, and Dana Boss.
KRL: When did you decide to purchase the Pub?
Michael: When Weldon Byram, the previous owner, approached us to ask if we where interested in February 2014.
KRL: When asked if you were interested in buying the Pub what made you say yes?
Michael: The Pub was always successful and it’s a great downtown location… the deal made sense.
KRL: How long did it take from that time until you were ready to open?
Michael: Construction started the day we closed escrow, March 14, 2014 – and continued up until our opening in January, 2015.
KRL: What all had to be done to open?
Michael: A lot. Floor to the ceiling… The Pub is an icon. We didn’t want to change the feel or the food, only make it better (big shoes to fill) so it could live on as a great community centered restaurant to enjoy for many more years, and we think we achieved that through tasteful additions.
KRL: What kind of changes have you made to the design and to the menu?
Michael: No changes to the menu, we brought back the cook who had previously worked in the kitchen… And he’s done a great job continuing to deliver the iconic food The Pub was known for like country fried steak, French dip, and prime rib to name a few.
The design has had many updates, really too many to list. One thing we keep getting told is how great it turned out. Which makes us happy. We really wanted people to feel at home in the restaurant.
KRL: What is your past experience in the food industry if any?
Michael: None, which didn’t scare us. We like to work – we are rooted in the Reedley community with other businesses, the key to those businesses has been primarily through the people we have on our staff. Nothing different here – we knew by surrounding ourselves with employees who have had 15-20+ years in the industry, like Bea or Christina, Victoria… And many more, we could excel with them, together.
KRL: What are your hours?
Michael: 7-11 Monday – Thursday and 7-1 Friday – Saturday.
KRL: What are some of the dishes you serve?
Michael: Our cooking staff really does a great job. Willie our executive cook makes a great country fried steak (as mentioned above) among other things.
One thing I’m excited about right this moment is how fantastic the soups taste – Willie has really dialed those in. Soon we will start serving bread bowls with those soups… What’s better then a tasty sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder on a cold and rainy day?
KRL: Future hopes and goals for the business?
Michael: Building a patio out back – should be amazing… Think red barn with reclaimed wood on the sides, big sliding barn doors on the back giving you access off the alley. Inside will be an airy relaxed setting with misters for the summer (the good ones – not the ones that get you wet) and floor heaters for the winter–maybe patio furniture or something like that. This will also allow us to expand the menu, we have plans to put a meat smoker on the side of the addition as well, maybe some additional storage built in too. We don’t have enough room for food inside; currently we are getting food deliveries multiple times a day.
We will have our official Grand Opening once the patio is done.
KRL: When do you think the patio will be done?
Michael: Before summer 2015 – that’s my goal.
KRL: Are you from Reedley?
Michael: I grew up in Kingsburg, started my first business many years ago in Reedley and never left.
KRL: Do you plan to have any special events or music there?
Michael: Yes, live music at least twice a month, we are working on the logistics for that now
KRL: Anything else you would like to add?
Michael: We would not be in business if it wasn’t for our staff and the community that supports us. Everyone has been great.
KRL: Do you have anything special going on for St. Patrick’s Day?
Michael: Yes, we are having a big party with special St. Patrick’s Day drinks! Come join us for the fun now through March 17.
Another interesting feature of the Pub is the use of only American made products–from the bar top to other reclaimed wood used throughout the restaurant. The wood on the back bar is from San Quentin Prison. There is also a small wall that pays tribute to farms in the Valley. Some more modern additions include USB plug-ins under the bar and a modern jukebox.
The Pub is located at 1041 G Street in Downtown Reedley, California. It’s great to have an Reedley icon back! Keep us with the latest news by liking their Facebook page.
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