Good Night, and Good Luck ...

It is with a great deal of sadness that I write this post. After nearly two years of hard work, dedication, desperation, being broke and living with my mother, Jon and I have finally decided we've done all we can do. Today, we closed the books on Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub and she will remain, at least for now, "the greatest pub that never was."

It seems as though the cards, chips and everything else was stacked against us. Although there were moments of hope and rejuvenation, the general cycle was one step forward, ten steps backward. We have done everything we knew to do, and everything that was asked of us. In the end, the price of the building, the structure of the finances and the terms of the loan were just not coming together.

Jon and I have tried to keep this dream alive, but also recognize that knowing when to walk away can be a good business decision. We both have full time positions here now, and will hunker down for the winter, save some money, pay off some bills and start fresh in the spring with a new plan (to be developed over the winter).

Thanks to all of you that supported us, believed in us and gave in any way to the dream. We have learned so much through this experience about business, marriage, friendship and family. We could not have gotten this far without the people in our lives.

So, as I'm packing up all the files, drawings, bids, etc. this will probably also be the last entry on this blog before it drifts into oblivion. We leave you with this Irish saying:

"Always remember to forget the things that made you sad
But never forget to remember the things that made you glad
Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue
But don't forget to remember those that have stuck by you"