Our local pub burned down today - appears to be a total loss. 4 firefighters were hospitalized with burns, and it’s a tragedy all around - especially since it was in a historic building.
The pub, Kennedys, was a gracious host for our session, and we’ll greatly miss her. For me, since I could walk or bike to the pub, it was the ideal location for a session.
So, please lift a pint and have a moment of silence for Kennedy’s Bar and Grill - best dang pub and session host in Kansas City.
Eric
My heart aches for you, mate. A good pub is a friend for life.
I’ll raise a glass tomorrow.
We mourn your loss. 
Bad news! Poor firemen!
May she be even better when she’s rebuilt.
Rough tidings all around. Just told Tom Dahill about it, Eric, and he sends his condolences.
May the firemen heal up fast and well and may your pub rise reborn like a phoenix from its ashes.
Thanks Nano - Tom’s a good guy…it’s too bad he never sat in on one of our sessions there - it was a good place to play.
The firefighters are all doing better - a couple have been released from the hospital, one is in good condition, but unfortunately the other one is listed only as “fair”.
The building was built in 1923 - one of those old, grand movie palaces with a balcony, gargoyles all over the place, etc. I’m too young to remember it’s movie days, but it became a dinner playhouse my wife and I used to go to. When the theater close, it was split into several business. The bar was a nice dive - friendly barkeep, owners, and all us neighborhood folks used to go there for more than music. There was a great French bakery that was lost, too. It kept most of the old theater pieces, and had hand painted murals by a French artist who was flown over just to paint the place. My wife and I really liked the owners…good people who put their lives into the place.
Life will go on - we’ll find another session spot, but there is a big old hole in our neighborhood - especially after they tear down the building’s facade this week. The building’s owner says she will build a new building on the spot, but it won’t be the same - they just can’t afford to build like that old theater was built…also, I’m sure the business owners will have moved on - they can’t wait for 2 years with no income.
Eric
I really hate to hear of the loss of a great building like that. You’re right- they just can’t be built back. They are irreplaceable.
We’ve got an old theatre like that in Bristol. Art Deco, restrooms that have an actual lounge complete with dressing tables, chairs, etc. Wow, those were the days. I saw many movies at that place before it closed. Luckily the city realized what it had there and has turned it into a performing arts venue. Great place just filled with “atmosphere”.
Amen!
Great sentiment. Sorry Jayhawk. Isn’t it interesting how a “place” can be so important that it’s loss is mourned?
Bummer.
Yep…there she is. I was standing just where that photographer was and have a few pics I took with my cell phone. It’s amazing no one was hurt - the bakery workers had run out and knocked on doors to get folks out, but the other businesses hadn’t opened yet.
They’re going to start tearing the building down in the next day or so…
Eric