Grey Lodge Pub has no plans to reopen its doors after the latest shutdown, the owners announced on Facebook Thursday.
The watering hole at 6235 Frankford Ave. has quenched the thirst of beer drinkers for more than 70 years. Lucky Cat Brewing Co., a microbrewery with the same owners just two doors down Frankford Avenue, will live on.
Mike “Scoats” Scotese served as the owner of Grey Lodge for 27 years, buying the building in 1994 and opening it in 1996. Back in November 2018 he told the Times he was concerned about the bar industry itself, saying beer was available everywhere and that the pub had to remain a great neighborhood bar to stay relevant.
“I want to thank everyone, on both sides of the bar, who made the Grey Lodge the special place it was. A lot of strangers became lifelong friends, some even became family. It has been a great run. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” the post written by Scotese reads.
The decision to shut down the pub was made after the latest shutdown regulations in the city, which went into effect Friday, that would shut down indoor dining for the rest of the year.
“If it weren’t for all the people on both sides of the bar, I wouldn’t have been able to make it 27 years there,” Scotese told the Times.
Lucky Cat four-packs will be available for contactless pickup on location on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This may be the end of a long era, but Scotese said Grey Lodge was more than the building and was about the people.
“Whenever we can all safely be together again, we’ll have a huge reunion,” the post reads. “Maybe at 6235 Frankford Ave., maybe somewhere else. I know the spirit of the Grey Lodge will live on in the friendships we have made.”
Meanwhile, City Councilman Bobby Henon has written a letter to Mayor Jim Kenney, expressing his concern about the shutdown of bars and restaurants through the end of the year.
Specifically, Henon cited the news that the Grey Lodge will be closing for good.
“I am deeply concerned that this is the first of what will be many devastating closures,” he wrote.
Henon wants Kenney to release additional emergency funds in the form of grants to restaurant owners who can demonstrate COVID-19 induced financial hardship; provide immediate relief from use and occupancy, liquor by the drink and other taxes owed to the city; eliminate all fees and costs associated with temporary tent permits, outdoor heaters and sidewalk seating, streetery and parking lot seating authorizations; allow him to work with the Departments of Streets and Licenses and Inspections to rapidly identify and authorize locations for street closures to permit additional outdoor dining; and ensure that the Departments of Health and Licenses and Inspections issue at least one warning notice before shutting restaurants down for noncompliance. ••
