Business Profile Archive
Bob's Keg and Cork Celebrates Ten Years - 2008-09-26
"Bob, I'm thirsty", I said as I sat at the bar at Bob's Keg and Cork one recent Thursday evening.
"Well, I think we can help you", replied owner and bar keep Bob Hargreaves.
Your simple greeting at Bob's is a homecoming that makes Bob's Keg and Cork a special place for the loyal crowd that has been coming there for the past ten years.
Bob's Keg and Cork opened up in late September of 1998 in the old Fire Station and City Hall on Front Street. Bob said he did it because he was a regular patron of Grant's who was housed at the time across the street in the old railroad depot and because he simply wanted to be downtown.
Front Street wasn't necessarily the vibrant district is today in 1998. There was no brick street, there were no flower baskets and many of the properties were begging for renovation. Still, there was a business foundation in 1998 on Front Street that laid the groundwork for what you see today that included Greystone, Deli De Pasta, Grant's and the infamous Blue Banjo. On a side note, many of those business and property owners provided the main push to lobby for the downtown you see today.
Bob's is well known for having a unique variety of wines and tasty beers that you can't find at other watering holes in town. At my recent visit, I enjoyed a beer from Boundary Bay and a delicious Fresh Hop Ale from Yakima Craft Brewing Company. Those beers were the perfect thirst quenchers to go with a filling blue corn nacho plate over some good conversation with a friend.
As you might expect from his casual nature, Bob isn't planning anything special to celebrate his ten-year mark. Yakima Craft Brewing Company is making a 10th Anniversary Ale for Bob, but other than that, he wants to keep providing the same relaxed environment that has made him a cult favorite.
"Maybe I'll retire soon," Bob says with a laugh, "but seriously I'd like to provide some outdoor seating and keep the same cozy environment that my customers enjoy."
So, if you will, please raise your glass and repeat after me, "Bob, cheers to you and here's to the next ten years."
This profile wouldn't be complete without a few comments from the author about the type of guys Bob is. Bob doesn't own a car and walks 22 blocks each day to the "office" on Front Street. As someone who lives downtown, I see Bob walking down Yakima Avenue every so often and he stops and picks up piece of trash after piece of trash without hesitation. It's this type of respect and dedication to downtown that is helping make it vibrant place to do business.
Leave a Comment
| Vic & Cheryl@Feb 01, 2009 11:18 pm |
| We have been visiting Bob's just about every week for the past 9 1/2 years! We love the charming atmosphere and the relaxed pace where we can sit and chat with friends and other patrons... but most of all we like Bob and his crew who treat us like friends instead of customers. (Oh yeah... great microbrews, wine and food too!)
|
| Doug Buchanan@Oct 03, 2008 12:35 pm |
| Because Bob's Keg and Cork is what it is, Bob's is my primary after-work stop when I am in Yakima each year working on the floating islands and tree planting around Buchanan Lake. Bob's is a place that makes you smile. Doug Buchanan Fairbanks Alaska |
| Doug Buchanan@Oct 03, 2008 12:31 pm |
| Because Bob's Keg and Cork is what it is, Bob's is my primary after-work stop when I am in Yakima each year working on the floating islands and tree planting around Buchanan Lake. Bob's a place that makes you smile. Doug Buchanan Fairbanks Alaska |
