I just wrote this reply to a post on Next Door Yountville about Hurley’s Bar and Grill closing here
I am going to just write this. I have lived in Yountville since 1986 and have had businesses here since 1977. My first visit here was about 1972. For anyone who wants to read about this and some of my past please email me for I do have an article about my history and a pdf I can send you about some of the wonder of all I have experienced here.
Why am I doing this?? To someone who has been here this long, I continue to ask myself when does it become too long? When does all that I love about this Town change and all one becomes aware of is how the Town has out grown us and that there are so few options that anyone has but to win the lotto or leave.
I know many of you who live here but since I have dropped out of sight, there are a great few more I have never met. Let alone, tried to. For all those who I consider friends, this is near my last hurrah; to all those I may call a casual acquaintance, a tiny look into who I am; to everyone else, I am sorry I have not been more involved and had the chance to get to know you.
When I first came to Town, John Lande, John Wichels and many others were still alive and I was able to live the past through of the infamy reputed here through their memories and almost relive the glory of what may have been through their visions about what this Town was. Please remember, if your kids were from Yountville, no one else in the Valley wanted anything to do with you. The only times someone would dare to venture here, to gamble in the infamous games, or whore at the Rex hotel. Now the basement to the old Pacific Blues and the Bouchen Bakery.
Now, I sit and wonder whether I will in 5 years and hopefully that in 10 years a glass of wine will at Bouchon will be less than $20. One of the last places to buy a decent glass of wine for a fair price. No longer will I be able to claim a local’s spot at the bar. And yes, to those of us who know what I mean, the third seat in. I always hated being too close to the wall and the New Yorker.
I end this with an open offer for anyone to call, chat and reminisce. I have paid my dues to be here and hope I will be able to offer all who wish to continue to do so everything possible to make their next 40 years here something they will be able to finish this story. To the rest of you, a good night and cheers for I feel. Hopefully I will be able to read your finale from heaven or if not chosen, with the least amount of flame I can stand.
I am Greek so since my Easter is next Sunday and all I wish for you is a bounty of painted eggs, καλό Πάσχα
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