Comeback of the year? Reward of reopening a long time coming at Eastside Grill and Pub
GORHAM – The sun was shining that afternoon, as I recall, but it was seasonably chilly but not so cold that it made you wonder if spring would ever arrive.
In other words, a typical March day under atypical circumstances.
The smell of smoke permeated the air, so much so that my clothes smelled like a campfire on the ride home. Talking with Steve and Linda Rohrback and their son, Sean, was a bit on the surreal side, as what was left of their Eastside Grill and Pub sat behind us.
Earlier that morning, their dream went up in flames.
Two years before this Friday afternoon in 2021, they possessed the excitement that many have about embarking on a new way of life for them, opening their Eastside Grill and Pub, formerly Smokeman BBQ and Captain Yogi’s -- those words still visible on a wood wall in the parking area next door.
Who could have anticipated what came next?
First, the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting and confounding restrictions, which forced so many restaurants and bars to close temporarily at first (and many never made it back open). When they were allowed to reopen, it was at a lesser capacity. Talk about doing a number on every restaurant’s bottom line.
When things were finally starting to loosen up -- a customer even excitedly told one of the owners how she couldn’t wait to come back to the Eastside in person now that she and her husband were vaccinated -- the fire hit harder than a Mike Tyson one-two punch to the chin. Each of them was, of course, saddened, but on that day they vowed to reopen.
Some look at a ruined building and see hopelessness. All the resilient Rohrbacks saw was a setback.
To be fair, they didn’t know what they were getting into, not many do in these circumstances. At the time, Steven Rohrback said they would reopen, sooner or later. Well, it turned out to be later.
But he also said back on that Friday afternoon that he’s an optimist.
Clearly, the glass is not half empty but as customers know, quite full now.
On the one hand, Rohrback had to retire from his day job and, with assistance, help to rebuild. But, looking at the bright side, that enabled the family to stretch the insurance money farther.
Their business was lost for months on end. But the new place is larger, including the kitchen, which means more food, served quicker.
Even after looking at what remained of the building after the fire, you still believed him. And it was easy to root for them.
Even now, reopened for about a week – much, much later than they had hoped -- you still root for them.
This look back was prompted by seeing news that the New York State Restaurant Association is coming out with an inaugural awards program, the Restaurant Industry Spotlight on Excellence awards, or RISE.
These awards are meant to recognize the resilience and ingenuity of the restaurant industry, particularly after more than two years of unprecedented challenges, and serve as a tribute to the hard work and dedication that has sustained the restaurant industry.
Categories include Best Restaurant, Community Impact, Best Front of House Team, Best Back of House Team, MVP, and Most Innovative. All restaurants and staff across New York state are eligible. To nominate a restaurant,visit https://www.nysra.org/nysra-rise-awards.html. Nominations close Aug. 31.
How about, Comeback of the Year!!??
Talking with a few customers at the reopening, I was struck by what more than one of them had to say. They made no mention of missing the food and drinks, which are worth coming for, by the way. Yes, a few missed their hotspot in Crystal Beach – the games, the conversations with friends, the getaway from their days.
Their overwhelming sentiment? They needed to be here for the owners. They're happy for the owners. One even brought flowers!
“We’re really excited they’re back in business,” said Kathy Postma. “It’s been a long road for them.”
The Rohrbacks wrote with a heavy heart on Facebook after the fire: "We appreciate all the support we have received since opening. We love our community, the relationships, both old and new, that we have made here, and we must now regroup. Thank you everyone for your support."
No wonder a clairvoyant Linda Rohrback could see what would happen, knowing what she knows about the Crystal Beach community, their friends.
“If you think the pandemic couldn’t keep us down, do you think a fire is going to keep us down?” Linda Rohrback said on that Friday afternoon. “We made it through the pandemic. We’ll make it through this fire.”
And so they did. On the reopening, Steve alternated between delivering a beer (I'm guilty as charged!) and, armed with a power tool, making a few quick fixes near the indoor bar area. Linda greeted guests, showed off some of the new features and answered questions of the busy wait staff.
There may not be an award to recognize all that happened at the Eastside Grill and Pub, but their reward is evident walking through the doors.
Welcome back.
Until next week, keep up on Rochester's food scene by going to our summer food guide.
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This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Comeback of the year? Reward of reopening a long time coming at Eastside Grill and Pub
