No home for Strays

The grand opening of Strays Lounge may have gone to the dogs for now, but the first act was still a success.

Despite being denied a lounge license, Windsor’s Cocoa Pesto Bistro went ahead with the show to the delight of diners November 19.

The ECMA award winning jazz trio of Tom Easley, Bill Stevenson and Geoff Arsenault was booked earlier in the year as the opening gig for Strays. Although Strays has not launched, the group put on a pleasing performance to a packed Bistro. Arsenault was not able to make the gig, but Wolfville drummer Alex Porter was an excellent stand-in.

Proprietor Scott Geddes says the event was just a taste of what is to come. “We’ve had 35 people here and it’s 11 p.m. on a Thursday night, I’d say it’s a success; everyone has enjoyed themselves. “

It is doubtful the performance caused a disruption to neighbors, Geddes says, which was one of the concerns that put a halt to opening a lounge addition to the bistro. “It’s never going to be more that what it is tonight so this gives people a sampling of what to expect. We are going to do this again, whether or not Strays opens.”

Surprise denial

The Utility and Review board pulled the plug on the much-anticipated new lounge earlier this month after a few neighbors expressed concerns at a public hearing.

Although Geddes was aware of a few naysayers, he was surprised when the ruling was announced. “We were absolutely denied; they would not entertain it at all. They (Utility and Review Board) didn’t tell us why; they aren’t obligated to explain the reasons.”

The current venue is licensed to serve liquor and food and play live amplified music until 2 a.m., seven days a week. What Geddes hoped to achieve with Strays was a small, intimate venue to allow patrons to enjoy music and an evening drink without being obligated to purchase a meal. “There is very little difference in what we would offer at Strays and what we are licensed to offer now.”

The lounge application was supported by the town of Windsor, Geddes days, and conformed to planning by-laws for mixed usage. In fact, the Town’s planning department is required to write a letter of approval to the Utility and Review Board during the application process that was submitted early in the process.

Decision a downer

Geddes says the decision has been bad for business. “It’s really put us in a bit of a pickle. To spend money and commit the resources to this project and not be able to utilize that space is difficult. We have no way now to recoup that investment.”

Geddes says he had hoped the addition of a lounge would help keep the Bistro in the black. “We thought opening Strays was going to be a turning point for us, but it’s going to be a long hard winter.”

Cancelling the opening will also be hard on non-profit organizations that had booked the venue this winter, he adds. “On the short-term, we’ve had to cancel four charity events already. It’s my own fault because we really thought Strays would open. We feel really badly but right now we have to take care of the business. We can no longer afford any additional expense.”

The Cocoa Pesto Bistro is well known for hosting popular fundraising events for the SPCA, Hants Community Hospital Auxiliary and Hants Learning Network.

Trio a winner

Despite the recent setback, Geddes says Strays will happen and he plans to appeal the decision. In the meantime, the show must go on. “The restaurant wasn’t an ideal setting for this kind of event, but we had booked Stevenson back in the fall and he was really excited to come.”

Stevenson said he wasn’t disappointed in the available venue. “I grew up playing in small towns; it’s where we as musicians cut our teeth. It was great playing in here and I look forward to the opportunity to do it again; we’d love to be back.”

Geddes said the support from local patrons has confirmed the need for a venue like Strays. “I’ve had so many calls of support. People weren’t involved with the initial application process because, like me, they assumed there would be a positive outcome but now they want to help.” “We really think our vision for Strays is the right direction to take and we’re not going to give up.”