Burke's Tavern

CHAPTER 8

“PANDORA’S BOX”

Have you ever hit a home run to win the game or score the winning touchdown or got an A on a test or have your parents say they are proud of you? Well, add all those feelings together and that’s exactly how I feel when someone randomly comes up to me and says the bar looks great. Customers have accepted the new BT into their lives and we couldn’t be happier. We definitely had our share of speed bumps when we first opened but only due to the unbelievable outpour of customers who couldn’t wait one more second to come in. We opened softly right smack in the middle of hurricane Sandy so the customers weren’t the only ones who were done waiting. I couldn’t open fast enough. To all of you who understood the speed bumps of a new staff, new cash register, and just our deer in the headlights look that my brother and I had when we opened the door, I say thank you.

Burke’s Tavern is officially open for business!!!! It feels so good to say it. The first month has been crazy. We’ve had about a dozen private parties already and they’re still coming. These parties were off the menu. We’re still getting our feet wet with keeping up with the restaurant demand so we weren’t able to fully offer catering for this holiday season but we’ll be ready after the New Year. We apologize to all the people that couldn’t host their Christmas parties here this year and we thank them for understanding. I stated that every party is important and if I can’t give all my time towards them I have to decline. When we’re ready, please think of us again.

I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was great and I look forward to the holidays. My family has been blessed with a lot to be thankful for and wish all of you a safe and happy holiday. Don’t forget that Burke’s Tavern has great gift ideas such as shirts, shot glasses, pint glasses, beer kozies and stickers. Also, Burkey’s Jerkey is back!! Ask your server what flavors we have in stock. They make great stocking stuffers! I’ll keep everyone updated on the opening of BT’s outside deck when spring gets a little closer.

We have a new Events page, which we will be updating frequently, please check it out!

CHAPTER 7

“JIMINY CRICKET”

October 2, 2012

Welcome to the Fall Foliage. It’s already October and Burke’s Tavern is enjoying the fall weather. We are still waiting on water from Pa American Water Company. If you are wondering why so long then call Dave Altmiller and tell him how upset you are at his procrastination. He keeps giving me the run around. I figured I would take this time to give all of you updates on our progress. It’s still very exciting to see the railings go up around the steps and ramps outside. Widmer Sign Company has installed the amazing new Burke’s sign and PPL put in a new power pole in the back parking lot. We also had one light pole moved to the back lot. That being done gave us the green light to excavate the parking lot and landscape around building.  By the time you read this, the parking lot in the back will be getting paved and lined. Hopefully I’ll have a few more lights on that brand new pole to shine on the lot. The dumpster will eventually be moved next to shed to have more parking. I also have plans to paint the shed to match the color of the bar. Scranton Craftsmen did a great job with matching the color of the railing with the color of the roof. Pocono Homes and Gardens are responsible for the landscaping which should look fantastic.

Now for the inside. The kitchen is almost complete. FJ Hess installed the hood and all the gas appliances. Cintas installed the ansul system (fire extinguisher above cooking area). Both companies were flawless and professional. We still have to hang a couple of shelves and move some equipment around but that’s the fun stuff. The bar area feels like winning the lottery. There are lights and mirrors and point of sale items and decorations. All to be hung in the perfect spots. It’s the fun part about the business. All the vendors want to get the best spots so they compete by bringing nice stuff. My brother and I decided on how to fill the 16 draft spots so now the beer guys are in a frenzy. Pepsi was very generous and helpful in making the decision on soda system. As far as the dining area, it’s full of tables, chairs, booths, bar stools, and arcade games from Hugo’s Amusements just waiting for their final resting places. I’ve tried some of the games and they do not disappoint. The kids will love them. The restrooms are almost done. The hand dryers are on order. I’m trying to be as green as possible in the new place with recycling, hand dryers, recycled paper products, etc. It’s a little more money but I sleep better at night.

My policy about writing about people and companies that I have done work with is simple. When they are finished with the contract then I write whether I would use them again or advise other people to use them. If you go back and read the chapters before this one you will understand that I’ve had the privilege of working with some great contractors.

So, why did I call this chapter “Jiminy Cricket”?

Well, there is one person who I’ve worked with the longest and I have since labeled him my “conscience”. That person is architect Francis Sloan. He’s a man who did not know that architecture was just a small but very important part of the project. He became number 1 on my speed dial, my psychiatrist, my advisor, my sounding board, my stress handler and especially my conscience. He took a lot of abuse, anger and frustration from me and answered it with kindness, understanding and advice. I feel bad for people who hire architects and just get plans. I hired Mr. Sloan and got professional service, a confident advisor, and an asset to Burke’s Tavern and a friend. I’m not the easiest person in the world to get along with (especially under these stressful conditions) but Francis is someone I could count on. I owe what’s left of my sanity to Mr. Sloan and for that I thank him. I have his phone number for anyone who needs a great architect.

The big question on everyone’s mind is “when are you opening”? Well, I’m sorry that I can’t give a specific date because of the major hurdles that we have to cross yet but I feel we’re at the 30 days or less marker and I’m happy. I hope all of you are as anxious to see it, as I am to finish it.

CHAPTER 6

“A WATERLESS OASIS”

September 3, 2012

We have tables. We have chairs. We have a huge bar. We have bathrooms. We have a kitchen. We even have beer. What we don’t have is WATER. Now don’t be shocked because I expected that water would be my white whale. If you’ve been keeping up with the chapters you know all the hurdles that I had to go through for all the utilities but I knew water would be the most difficult. The famous vault is in the ground and the plumbing is inside the box and the building. We still need a concrete lid on the vault but the progress is positive. As far as the actual water, this is solely up to Pa American Water Co. and nothing happens fast. They have to drill across 611 and tap into the main which is in front of Rita’s Italian Ice.  I’m excited just to see them do it because it’s done by remote. I’d like to give a big shout out to A-1 Auto (next door) because without their garden hose we’d be at a stand still. I can’t wait until Les (the owner) and I can have a beer together in the new place so I can thank him.   

I’m sorry I can’t give an opening date yet because for as many things that are done there are just as many things that need to be done. For instance, when the water gets here it needs to be flushed and tested. Then, the fire suppression system can be finished. The hood is finished in the kitchen but the ansul system has to be installed. The bathrooms are finished but the partitions have to be installed. The bar is finished but Pepsi has to be installed. The keg walk-in cooler is finished but the draft tower has to be installed. The kitchen equipment is in but still has to be connected. The tables and chairs are in but we’re still waiting on bar stools. All that and then some before we even start ordering supplies and hiring employees. The best answer to “when are you opening?” is probably the simplest. We’re going to open when everything is done.

On a more positive note the bar has exceeded my wildest expectations. The flat-screen TV’s are up and the hardwood floor is down. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The detail work and woodwork is nothing short of museum-like. I don’t want to give all the secrets away and ruin the surprises but I promise you all that you won’t be disappointed. The details are a lot of work and decorating will be a lot of fun. I hope that when we do have the grand opening that everyone enjoys all of our hard work. It was a group effort and all should celebrate. Stay tuned because it won’t be long now.

CHAPTER 5

“EXHAUSTIPATED”

July 18, 2012

                  The definition of exhaustipated is when you are too tired to take a shit! That’s how I feel folks. We’re into the ninth month after the fire and it’s so close I can taste the cold beer and the reunion of all my friends. It’s just not that simple. Hill after hill I climb and I feel like it gets me nowhere. There are so many factors that I didn’t anticipate when I started the rebuild. Electricity is a perfect example. When I decided to build the bar on the same footprint as before my intentions were simple. 1. Didn’t need a development plan (which takes a year) 2. Parking would be the same 3. Electricity would be rehooked up in same spot 4. It would be quicker. Well 1 out of 4 ain’t bad. In case you were wondering which one I was right about it was number 1. I told the Borough Council that I didn’t have the money to wait a year for a development plan and they said my only choice was to build in the same spot. After I had the foundation down is when I received a call from the zoning officer saying I could move the building anywhere I wanted. Sounds to me someone found out I could sue the borough for their decision but I didn’t. (Yet) It’s when they told me that they weren’t allowing anyone to park in the front of tavern because it was too close to 611 that got my goat. Now the main entrance is in the back of the building. I let that one slide.

                  Then the power issue came up with PP&L. My electricians were ready for power when an engineer came out to the site and said we had the wrong meter box. I said ok and immediately called Friedman Electric to see whom to blame. They said it was their fault and took full responsibility for the issue by crediting my account, getting right one, and even taking extra off for loss of labor. Finally a break and something going my way, right? Wrong! Just before I left for vacation I understood that PP&L was going to hook up power in a day or so. Two weeks later I decided to call to see if they forgot where I was located. This is when it all hit the fan. They told me that the building was built too high and that the power lines were too close to it. I’m looking for Allen Funt (for you younger people Allen Funt was the host of Candid Camera, maybe Ashton Kutcher is the modern version?). Any who… what the hell were they talking about? Come to find out I have to add a pole in the back of restaurant so they can reroute the power lines around building and I have to pay for it. Meanwhile I’m thinking to myself tell this mofo where to go and then realized he’s got me by the short hairs. I said to him through my crocodile smile what if I refuse to do that and he said simply then you don’t get power. Let’s recap my situation. I have power lines above the building that I own that are hot and I can’t tap into unless I buy a $3000.00 pole and put it in my parking lot. If I choose not to buy the pole then these so called dangerously close lines will stay above the building and I will not get power. EXHAUSTIPATED!!! Don’t worry I paid the $3000.00 plus talked them in to giving me temporary power until the new pole gets there. I might be down but never out. Let’s talk water now!!!!!!

                  In case anyone was wondering about the size of the new bar well I’ll just say yes it is bigger than the last one. While my ego says go big or go home (Remember JAMIEPALOOZA?) this one cost me a little more than expected. Since the building increased in size and the number of occupants tripled I was required to install a fire suppression system. What’s a fire suppression system? It’s those little sprinkler heads that you see in the ceiling every 8ft. Those sprinklers are then hooked up to 4in pipes that are pressurized with water. In case of fire I believe that these sprinklers unleash an enema of biblical proportions. Let’s hope I never see that in action. Getting back to this system it requires a huge amount of water capacity. The old place had a water well so I figured for the new place all I have to do is dig another one right? WRONG! Since the system required so much reserve water they wanted me to bury a 10ft x 30ft storage tank (that’s bigger than most pools) and fill it with water. Then connect to a huge pump in the basement powered by a back-up generator just for the pump. That was their (fire suppression people) first suggestion if I went with a well. Their second suggestion was if I can hook up to public water then I wouldn’t need tank or pump. The main water line hook-up is right in front of Rita’s Italian Ice so I’m thinking I’m in the clear right? WRONG! To go across a state road like RT 611 you must get a permit. That permit takes 2 months. Then when you get permit the water company wants to connect to a vault outside the building. What’s a vault? A vault is a 7ft deep 12ft wide cement room that goes underground and has a manhole cover. It holds the water meter. I have to pay for the vault. EXHAUSTIPATED! I know the suspense is killing you so I’ll tell you…. I went with the second. I already got the permit to go across Rt 611 and now I’m in the middle of negotiating with the water company to put the meter in basement instead of a vault. It’s in their hands now.

                  Now let’s talk tavern. We’re in the drywall and painting stage of the production and it looks great. I went with John Reehl Drywallers and so far they are doing a great job. JR’s a friend of mine so he better (great guy). I’m anticipating great things from Antoine Goode the painter as well. Check out some of the new pictures on the website. Burke Construction’s making a comeback to do some finishing up inside which includes bar and trim. Very exciting stuff.  The Captain has turned on the seatbelt sign, which means I’m bringing this plane in for a landing. Won’t be long now!  

CHAPTER 4

“Inspector Gadgetless”

June 3, 2012

     Well, it’s already June and instead of celebrating the start of my summer I’m stuck waiting for inspectors to continue this rebuild. Who in their right mind grows up to be a building inspector? I wonder if as a child when he was getting picked on going in for his 2^nd swirly in the toilet that was when he told himself “I’m gonna get all of them back someday when I’m a building inspector!” If I knew that I wouldn’t have dunked him a third time! All kidding aside, it has been a struggle to keep up with new ordinances and codes. I’ve learned a great deal how to play the game, I just wish I knew the rules better. I know now that a lot of the new codes are helpful to Joe public but some of them are ridiculous. I’m taking them in stride but my patience is thinning.

The Tavern is coming right along. Just like on the old building, we continued the tradition of having a green metal roof, and we went with the same company who did our first roof, PMH and Sons. It’s nice to drive up over the hill and see a building again! We finished the vinyl siding thanks to Keith Overmyer Construction. They did a great job. Their work was clean and professional. I would absolutely advise any of my friends to use Keith for any services his construction company does. If anyone wants his number just call me. The outside of the Tavern is almost complete. The deck is finished and I’m very happy with how it came out. All of you smokers will be very happy with the shed roof I built over part of deck so no one gets wet or weathered. All that’s left outside are the entry steps and ramps. Also, the parking lot but that’s one of the final things to before opening. There’s a couple of landscaping details as well but they are minor. Hopefully by the time this is posted I’ll have the proper permits to continue the inside detail.

As of June 2^nd the inside has all the electrical and plumbing rough cuts finished. The ductwork for the HVAC is run and continues to be installed as we speak. The heavy equipment such as the furnaces and AC units should be in this week. I decided on using 3 five tons gas fired furnaces for heat. It’s a little more then I needed but splitting the units in 3 was much more efficient and economical. Plus if one unit should go down or need servicing then the other two are plenty to pick up slack. AC I also split in three like the furnaces. BT will have 180000 BTUs of air conditioning. If you’re wondering how the hell am I running all of this then I’ll tell you. I’m running this on (3) 200 amp services. Yes you heard (or read) that right 600 amps of power aarrr aarr aarr!!! Enough to run six separate houses. If you wondering when you’re reading this that it sounds like I’m bragging then let me clear it up for you ……YES!

After all is said and done I’ve had a good time building this dream Tavern. I can’t wait to show everyone the new logo on shirts and new merchandising stuff. I’m trying to keep it as quiet as possible but it’s tough when I’m as excited as you are. The new (unnamed) deck is great and everybody’s anticipation is fuel for me to keep going. The bar is especially important to me so I promise I will not disappoint anyone. Your comments on our website and facebook are great. Keep ‘em coming! I’m not going to give a grand opening date because of how far we still have to go but early August is reachable. More details about the bar and menu will have to wait for chapter 5. This is your Captain speaking “we still have some time before landing so enjoy the beverages wherever you are, but don’t get comfortable “.

CHAPTER 3

“Not feeling so Wells Fargo!”

April 14 2012

            Before everyone panics when they read the heading, relax. It has nothing to do with the rebuild but it is something that I need to get off my chest so here it goes.  Let me tell you how pathetic Wells Fargo is...and more specifically a certain employee in North Carolina, yes I said North Carolina, and for legal reasons let’s call him Tim. I have to explain why Wells Fargo is in the picture to begin with. 12 years ago I took a mortgage out from Wachovia to purchase the tavern. It went very smoothly like a bank transaction should. They took a low-risk loan because the building was their collateral. We continued to pay monthly for 12 years re-financing every 5 years without a hitch. They re-finance after 5 years in commercial accounts (I don’t know why). Since then Wachovia was bought by Wells Fargo. Now that you’re up to speed enter Tim after the fire. 

            When a business burns down the insurance company reimburses the owner the value of the policy but also recognizes the loans you might have out.  Legally the insurance company has to include your name and the banks name on the checks when they issue them. It covers the bank because they lost their collateral so the owner doesn’t take money and run. It’s funny when I read this out loud because didn’t we bail them out! As everyone LOCALLY knows I started the demolition, the foundation dig, the basement, the first floor and framing. So it didn’t take a detective to realize I’m not taking the money and running. But I was running short on cash so I took the check to Wells Fargo for them to sign off so I can cash it to continue to rebuild. Well Wachovia smooth turned into Wells Fargo bumpy. Remember me? I’m the same guy right around the corner who paid his mortgage religiously for 12 years. Everyone in the bank was sorry for my loss and knew I already started rebuilding. The thing that got me was the manager. There I sat in the waiting area for a really long time over something that I thought was going to take seconds. This is when I stopped smiling.

            The manager came out with her headset on and said she doesn’t have the authority to clear the $65,000 check I needed to continue. I didn’t know if she was kidding or should I order a big Mac and fries. Well she wasn’t kidding and she told me she emailed “Tim” in North Carolina for further instructions. She then gave me the check back and said she will call me when she finds out more.  Then she has the nerve to tell me good luck in the rebuild on the way out. After a week has gone by I paid her another visit at the bank.  This time I actually got in her office. She told me that she emailed Tim 3 times and got no response. At this time I’m looking for Ashton Kutcher to come out and tell me that I’ve been punked.  Meanwhile I proceed with rebuilding with a lot of promises of paying people when this ridiculousness is settled. I finally talk to Tim from North Carolina and it just hits the fan from there.

            I’ve never talked to a more miserable prick in my career. I can only imagine him in his cubicle with a picture of his ugly wife and 2.5 degenerate kids. He has no idea who Burke’s Tavern is or that we burned down or anything. Why should he because he’s 5 f-in states away. This is the guy that I have to talk to to move forward, can you believe it. He says first of all he doesn’t feel sorry for me or for my loss (now I’m thinking he’s ugly and fat). Then he wants me to fill out forms to re-apply for a Wells Fargo loan to transfer from Wachovia with a cost to me. He keeps telling me that the bank has lost their collateral (the building) but what he doesn’t know is I have re-built 40% back up. That and the land value is way over what we owed. I proved that I wasn’t running but Tim wasn’t hearing it. Good for you Wells Fargo, right after we bailed you out turn your back on an account that has been loyal for 12 years. Then Tim wanted me to get the partial rebuild appraised (at cost to me) for him to look at. What? Why Tim can’t you see it from North Carolina?

            This guy was very close to getting a swirly if I got in my car but the 8-hour drive wasn’t worth it. He finally says just pay off the loan. Finally some honesty, they don’t want me as a customer. Good for you Tim! I was starting to fear that you didn’t have a pair. Against my accountants wishes of paying the loan off I just wanted out and as far away from this bank as possible.  You think it ends there? WRONG!!! I find out that we have a penalty clause on our loan if we pay it early. Unbelievable! Well, to make a long story short I went over Tim’s head and got the penalty waived and paid the damn loan off.  Good riddance Tim, I really hope our paths cross someday.  On a good note, PNC bank has been great ever since.

            Now let’s get into updates on something a lot more positive…..the rebuild.  The rebuild is going smoothly. Burke Construction is finishing up on the framing and it looks great. Jeremy’s crew was professional, hard working, punctual and ahead of schedule. There are no weak links in his chain of command and everyone brings something to the table. These guys will continue to work for me in the details of the restaurant and the outside deck design. By the time this chapter circulates the doors and windows will be installed. It’s a very exciting time for me to see my vision come to life. I was actually speechless when I saw the bar that has been in my mind every time I close my eyes, for the first time. I can’t wait for all of you to see it. It has surpassed all my expectations. My father said it’s like a locomotive out of control. I say relax, Jack I got the reigns and I’m not letting go anytime soon! The famous green metal roof is also making a comeback and will be complete by April 20^th. Updated pictures are posted! There are many more surprises to come so stay tuned for chapter 4.  SLAINTE!

CHAPTER 2

“THE RECKONING”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!!!  To all of you out there that were lost on the High Holy Day you were not alone.  I, to, had to go up to the site and have a celebratory few beers to cope with the loss of a truly unique Irish Tavern.  You were all in my thoughts as I stared at the empty basement remembering the countless great times we spent together.  It was enough to relight the fire under my ass (maybe wrong choice of words) to continue.  I have a bar to build.

Well here we are, it’s already spring, and the fight to rebuild Burke’s Tavern continues.  I still meet with inspectors, zoning officers, dept. of agriculture and pretty much whoever wants to talk to me.  We have a basement with walls and a floor and even the first floor decking finished but much more needs to be done before I sleep.  It’s still a very interesting journey. Before I go any further I feel I must turn the clock back a little to March 9^th.  Two weeks prior to the 9^th I did a very risky thing and ordered the walls for the basement to be delivered on the 15^th.  Why was it risky you ask?  I did it without a permit.  I’m a pretty optimistic person so I figured that was plenty of time to get a permit for the foundation only.  I didn’t know at the time that I had to ask either Waldorff or Stadler for the permit (the Muppets).  God forbid someone can make a decision in Mt. Pocono that affects anybody!!  It’s kind of like which line to stand in at the DMV.  I found out through personal investigating that you don’t’ need a permit to dig a hole in Mt. Pocono as long as you don’t label it construction.  So with my newly found info I proceeded to dig the biggest hole to “bury my dog in” that anyone has ever seen in his or her lives.  FYI my dog is still alive.  Two days after starting to dig I get a call from the inspector saying he has my permit for just the foundation.  Holy shit I had to check if it was my birthday that day and to find out how many birthdays have passed since I f-in asked for it.  At least I can stop saying I’m digging T-rex’s grave lol.  Wait till you hear what happened after that.

I proceeded to drive down to the inspectors to pick up my freshly printed permit with a smile on my face for finally hearing good news and to my surprise both the inspector and the zoning officer (Waldorf and Stadler) were together in the office.  I was told after 2 days of digging that the building can be moved anywhere on the property without any trouble from the borough.  With my walls already on the way and the Dept. of Transportation approving the plans on the parking lot in Allentown as we speak I wasn’t happy with the news.  I’m sure the brain trust down in the borough figured we can’t take this guys front parking away without him coming at us.  It was too late.  I couldn’t change plans this late in the game without being delayed tremendously!  That’s what I meant when I was in the first meeting at the borough in November when I made myself perfectly clear that I don’t have the money to wait more than 8 months to build because of lack of insurance.  And I said it again in December and January and again in February, are you getting the pattern yet?  So the person who quoted “you can get more with sugar than vinegar” obviously never douched before and I felt particularly dirty.  No more Mr. Nice Guy, I got a restaurant to build!

That brings us to today where I wait impatiently for the next permit to be issued for building the first floor.  I’d like to take this time to reflect on the people that I have had the pleasure of dealing with in the rebuild.    My father always said to me in times of turmoil surround yourself with good people and they will make it pass sooner.  Truer words have never been spoken so I would like to introduce a few of the good guys in this war.  You can never have too many friends so I highly recommend putting Jeff Ingrassia on your list.  Jeff (Doc Funky) and I met a short time ago at the bar and he has since proved to be a huge asset.  Before the fire he excavated the back parking lot behind the restaurant. (Oops…didn’t know what a permit was back then!) I was able to see a small glimpse of his talent when he did that job for us. Since the fire I’ve had him on speed dial for the demolition, the foundation dig, excavating parking lot, back filling and just about everything in between.  I have his phone number if anyone needs an excavator or dirt delivery or the millions of other things he does.  The next player’s name is Brad Melillo.  Brad is the salesman for Superior Walls, which is the name of the concrete company that did our foundation.  He was always reachable and very professional.  I can’t say enough about the company that he works for.  They were very knowledgeable and extremely professional.  I know now why Superior Walls are growing leaps and bounds.  Next in line is the man that poured the foundation floor.  His name is Dave Altemose and I found him in Saylorsburg.  He’s very hardworking and fair priced.  A true artist in the masonry business and a compliment to his trade.  I have his number if anyone wants a quote on masonry work.