Pints&union is taking a staycation this week, returning Tuesday 9 June.

This post has been updated to reflect Joe's decision to extend the staycation to June 8, which means we'll be reopening on the 9th of June.

At Facebook on Saturday night:

Starting today we are taking a break to clean, plan and revise May 23-June 9. While most were home in quarantine we have been hard at it since day one of this current challenge. We are stepping back to observe and rest and keep our staff and guests safe. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. We look forward to seeing you June 9 and share our new vision and extension of hospitality. Be safe everyone, Cheers.

I don't have much to add, apart from stressing to you, the reader, that the stress is very real, and our owners and staff need a break.

As noted previously, it isn't only flipping a business model overnight from dine-in to carry-out; it's also assuming the responsibilities of the LEE Initiative outreach to displaced restaurant industry workers. That's two separate businesses in one, for-profit and non-profit, working amid all the myriad uncertainties of the pandemic.

My own two cents: Joe's most important point herein is "stepping back to observe."

The past two weeks of restaurant reopenings has revealed a division (not unexpected, by the way) among customers: some eager to turn back the clock and dine in again, others who are not willing to do so for some time to come, and yet another grouping of folks who are waiting and watching -- observing, as it were.

Pints&union is in a position to do the same. It isn't yet clear what reopening will bring for the restaurant industry.

Profits? Losses? A spike in infections? A placid return to normality? Will pent-up demand be sustained at the present unemployment rate? How long will it take for the economy to return to pre-COVID levels? Will it ever?

Conversely, as my post today at Food & Dining Magazine suggests, the time for change is now -- whether micro or macro: Edibles & Potables: Tunde Wey’s radical thinking about restaurants.

Even I don't know exactly how Pints&union will resume operations, only that we will. Literally and figuratively, all the cards are on the table. Allow me to echo Joe by thanking you for your support, especially for the growler program. There are a few already poured that may be made available for perfectly legal "speakeasy bootleg" sales next week. Stay tuned.

ON THE AVENUES is on holiday. Is the party chairman ousted yet, or do I have to go get your Bernie?

Next Thursday (November 24) already was intended to be an "off" day for the column. Not only is there some sort of holiday, one that seems somewhat misplaced given The Year So Far, but I'd be out of town.

Today I just couldn't get it together; too many words, not enough time, and no inclination to post a rehash. Just remember, there were two columns last week, so quota is still being met.

Below are the usual links to "most recent." ON THE AVENUES returns on December 1. There are five Thursdays in December.

Ouch.

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November 17 & 24: (BYE WEEKS, literally and figuratively)

November 11: ON THE AVENUES: Kind-a full-a you know what, but now we're going to find out whether Jeff Gahan has any cattle under his hat.

November 10: ON THE AVENUES: Don't be a Dickey, local Democrats. The verdict is in, and it's time for a change.

November 3: ON THE AVENUES: It’s our big fat Hibbardendum, and Jeff Gahan is carrying the superintendent across the threshold as Metro United Way tosses rice and One Southern Indiana steals all the liquor.

October 27: ON THE AVENUES: It's NAC's 12th birthday, and the beatings will continue until morale improves.

October 20: ON THE AVENUES: Key events in the New Albanian rebirth, but first, a piccolo of grappa, per favore.

Shocking photo of the ex-Publican as you've never seen him before.

We don't always climb into a car and drive 2,000 miles, but when we do, this is the best of all possible signs.

The car made it to Massachusetts and back just fine, but my iPhone's dead. There also was an alarming weight gain, the reasons for which will be documented retroactively over the next few days.

However, here's the controversial promised photo.

It's Diana's niece's daughter, and the primary reason for the getaway. Now we're back, and I couldn't help notice the streets still running one way.

Are you New Albanians EVER going to get them right?

NA Confidential is on late summer break, kinda sorta. Or not. Beats me.

It's a one-man show around these parts, except when Nick Vaughn and Bluegill check in on occasion.

Consequently, I'm taking a short break, although it's never been clear exactly what I mean by statements like this.

There may be posts. There may not. I take pride in publishing with consistency, but at times, each of us needs to say the hell with it and live a little.

That's what I propose to do for a few days. There'll be some down time over the weekend, so if you have ideas or links, send them to me at Facebook, Twitter or here: mayorbaylor@gmail.com
 

ON THE AVENUES is on vacation.

Instead of a rerun, enjoy the view of Duluth and Lake Superior from the Enger Tower.

Break's over. Back on my head.

What was that? It's been raining in July? Here?

That explains the knee-high grass.

We returned last night from our holiday in over-heated Southwest England, and boy, was it needed.

For two weeks, I did NOT awaken each morning and begin throwing metaphorical punches at the second-raters -- although Jeff tossed a few haymakers in the interim.

For two weeks, I did NOT so much as touch an electronic device or phone (mobile or otherwise). I'd forgotten how enriching life can be while untethered, and I'm glad the missus forced me to comply. Consider it a future trend.

For two weeks, I did NOT think about work ... well, not too much.

Rather, there was plenty of cask-conditioned real ale and traditional English culinary delights; strolls on the Dartmoor and a coastal ferry to Cornwall; celebrations as Andy Murray won Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle's ongoing efforts to move up the league table; and quite a lot more.

Now, as oft times before, the countdown begins. Whither the afterglow? How long until my excellent post-jaunt intentions dissolve in the eternal, primordial, under-achieving New Albany muck?

Thanks to Jeff, Sandra, Graham and the NABC crew for making this possible.

Something about frying pans and fires.

As always, thanks to Bluegill for pinch-hitting while I was visiting glorious Madison WI and doing my little bit for hop bombs and Imperial Stout at the Great Taste of the Midwest.

We manded a tent corner slot this year and really pushed the t-shirt sales, which resulted in 280, more than double last year. "These Machines Kill Fascists" remains a favorite of the local crowd, and we saw them all over town during the course of three days.

There, in Madison, they get it.

Here, in Southern Indiana, we get "blue dogs," and I join the Bookseller (and others) in wondering how this designation is any different from that of "Republican."

At least part of the street was paved in my absence. I'd been hoping to return to two way streets and bike lanes ... but this ain't Wisconsin, is it?