The Dallas bar, which has been on Maple Avenue for decades, will continue operating at its current location before moving to a new location at 4218 Lemon Avenue this spring.
DALLAS — A hand-painted sign regularly appears in front of Stoneley P, a beloved bar in Uptown Dallas. generally It tells the story of what this spot has experienced over its 50 years of operation.
“Since 1973, we have endured Nixon, hippies, Vietnam, fires, preppies, yuppies, Reagan, disco, Dallas politics, and insane neighbors,” the sandwich board says.
But what that battle cry overlooks is the misfortune that “The P” (as he is known to his fans) has faced recently, especially his landlord.
Earlier this year, as Stoneley P prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the bar's planned birthday celebration was held for the last time at 2926 Maple Ave., its longtime home. Information has leaked that it is likely to be a celebration.
That was an unfortunate fact. Hear from Stonely P's founder Tom Garrison and co-owner's daughter Laura, whose bar building was sold to a new owner in Austin during the height of the pandemic several years ago, but Garrison's plea However, the new landlord showed no interest in the bar. He will re-extend P's lease when it expires in April 2024.
As Laura explained on the “Y'all-itics” podcast over the summer, this prompted the garrison to begin an active search to find a future home for the long-standing facility.
But as the months passed, their search petered out. They had trouble finding a venue that was close to their original home and seemed suitable for the role.
But no more than that. On Monday, Laura signed her 10-year lease for Stoneleigh P's future.
At some point this spring, Stoneley P will move into a separate building at 4218 Lemon Avenue. These days it's home to Eggsell Rent Café, but it previously housed stores like Tallywhacker's, Lolita's His Mexican Cuisine, and Café Cancun.
“We're almost ready to move in,” Laura said shortly after signing the lease for her new space. “The plan is to pick up the P and put it there. We just have to ‘P’ it!”
Pool tables, jukeboxes, magazine racks, pharmacy shelves (the “P” stands for “Pharmacy”, which occupied the space on Maple Avenue before it became a bar, and which is why bars like Soda Pop Jerk's Layout above) — They are all expected to find a home in the new space, which is actually 1,000 square feet larger inside than the Maple Avenue location, Laura said.
Garrison's also promises to retain the Stoneleigh's late-night kitchen menu, including The Stoneleigh's legendary “Shrop” burger.
With the lease on Maple Avenue set to expire in April, Garrison's hopes to keep the party going at its current location for as long as possible, while gradually moving the bar's decor to the Lemon Avenue location, piece by piece. There is. It will open sometime in late spring.
Laura said the move will be like a “passing of the torch” for the family. For years, she continued to run the bar, but it was always her father's place.
Even though her name is on the rental agreement and her father is a guarantor, a slightly different formula is at work in the new land, at least on paper.
“My father says he won't be too involved in the new location,” Laura said. “But I'll believe it when I see it.”
For now, those in the garrison are mostly satisfied that plans are in place to continue the family business.
“It's been a really long time, but now that I'm here, I'm like, 'OK,'” Laura said. “We've been talking about it for so long that it feels like it's already happened. But we are.” happy It happened.I felt very relieved, but also scared. [expletive]-few. But I paid the deposit, so it's done! ”
Still, Laura said she knows the new spot isn't that's right same.
“I’m going to miss the apartments around me. [on Maple] I'm with the young people,” Laura said. “But it’s still a residential area.” [over by Lemmon]. It will be more of a destination. ”
Her biggest hope, she said, is that the spirit of the old place continues with the move to the new location.
“I hope this legacy continues,” Laura said. “That's my goal. In 10 years.”
And hearing herself say that made her stop and laugh.
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Editor's note: Video below First broadcast date is November 3, 2021.
