I was truly upset to hear that the Red Onion will be closing its doors for good on March 31, 2007.
The Red Onion is where I partied the night I moved to Aspen. Not yet acclimated, I passed out in the booth that night and was escorted home by a friendly bartender, but that’s another story.
Initially, the thought of Aspen’s oldest bar falling prey to greedy developers – the same group, I was told, that is redeveloping Cooper Street into posh condos and retail – made me sick. But then I looked at the situation from a different perspective.
Given the opportunity, would I redevelop the Red Onion, or any of Aspen’s so-called “institutions” for that matter? If the result would likely pad of my bank account by many millions of dollars, I’d have to say, emphatically, yes.
I realized that those who gripe and complain at the loss of Aspen’s “last great places” (myself included) are those who aren’t in the position to capitalize on the development opportunities available in town.
The truth is, the Red Onion and Cooper Street Pier properties are ripe for the picking – old buildings in the heart of downtown housing unprofitable businesses. If I had $10 million lying around that I could potentially turn in to $30 or $40 million, I’d sure as hell consider it.
Greedy? Maybe, but who among us could deny the opportunity to support many generations of our family for the sake of a saving a bar? As for greed, it’s like in “Wall Street” when Bud Fox asked Gordon Gekko, “How much is enough, Gordon? How many yachts can you water ski behind?”
For me, one would be fine. And this I can assure you, I wouldn’t lose a minute of sleep over the Red Onion while anchored off St. Tropez.
Unlike you, I would leave the Red Onion be. I am creative enough to find another way to make money without driving the nails into an Aspen institution.
this town went bat-shit at the prospect of the Isis theater closing, for Christsake!
so now we have the Red Onion, which has operated in that location since 1892, surviving boom and bust, world wars, etc. The old gal could not survive ten seconds of ownership of Ron Garfield and Andrew hecht. Her fate was sealed before the deal was done.
the only way for her to be saved was for her operator to buy the building. the 20-year lease that was in place at reasonable and possibly below-market rent was the thing that allowed the redOnion to survive the last 22 years, but iut was also probably her undoing.
at the end of that lease, the time came to pay a market rent and the business could not support that. that is a shame.
speaking only for myself, I will not ever patronize any business that moves into that space that is not a fun bar where locals and tourons alike can sit in relative peace and enjoy a cold one.
in the end, it was just business that put the O out of business. while I cannot blame garfield & hecht too much for their acquisition, I will not accept that this was somethinig they needed to do. they want to make a few miliion more, but they do not need to do it in this way.
mark my words, the Red O will rise again somewhere and sometime in Aspen’s future.
HC
Unlike you, I would leave the Red Onion be. I am creative enough to find another way to make money without driving the nails into an Aspen institution.
this town went bat-shit at the prospect of the Isis theater closing, for Christsake!
so now we have the Red Onion, which has operated in that location since 1892, surviving boom and bust, world wars, etc. The old gal could not survive ten seconds of ownership of Ron Garfield and Andrew hecht. Her fate was sealed before the deal was done.
the only way for her to be saved was for her operator to buy the building. the 20-year lease that was in place at reasonable and possibly below-market rent was the thing that allowed the redOnion to survive the last 22 years, but iut was also probably her undoing.
at the end of that lease, the time came to pay a market rent and the business could not support that. that is a shame.
speaking only for myself, I will not ever patronize any business that moves into that space that is not a fun bar where locals and tourons alike can sit in relative peace and enjoy a cold one.
in the end, it was just business that put the O out of business. while I cannot blame garfield & hecht too much for their acquisition, I will not accept that this was somethinig they needed to do. they want to make a few miliion more, but they do not need to do it in this way.
mark my words, the Red O will rise again somewhere and sometime in Aspen’s future.
HC
Keith:
The assumption that Item B can easily have the market value of Item A when replaced only works if your market thinks it does. The ambience of a town or valley is dictated by a number of things, scenery being only one of them. Aspen’s cachet is in a continuing flux, said value of which is determined by whomever is willing to pony up the bucks that the realty market demands.
If, at the end of the day, it turns into Glitter Ghetto, so be it. We all create the worlds we inhabit.
I was sorry to hear about Cooper Street Pier and am just as sorry to hear about the Red Onion. Of course, I was sorry when Tom’s Market, Andre’s, the Toklat as a restaurant, both in Aspen and in Ashcroft, etc. etc., yadda yadda, all bit the dust. Aspen as an extension of Rodeo Drive may be just as appealing in the marketplace, or the intrinsic ambience of the town itself may be supplanted by constant wheeling and dealing, ever spiraling need for maximum return on investment, ad nauseum.
It would be nice to think that the people who come to Aspen do so because there is a certain peace cast by the mountains and the trees, the water and the air. Like almost anything else, ambience is transitory and a limited resource. It’s a fragile thing and requires a level of commitment and stewardship. Additionally, it’s subjective and varies from person to person. It’s not something I’d nail a hard dollar value to, but then again, my acumen in gauging the taste of anyone but myself is sorely lacking. I believed that Madonna would be a flash in the pan and Cindy Lauper was going to be the next big thing.
I can’t blame the owners of the Red Onion for wanting to make several gojillion dollars, but I can’t help wondering at the same time if the purchasers of the property aren’t gambling on an awfully big “maybe”.
Adios Red Onion; so long Cooper Street Pier. Y’all will soon be taking up residence in my personal ghost town – don’t worry though, there’s some damn fine spirits there.
Keith:
The assumption that Item B can easily have the market value of Item A when replaced only works if your market thinks it does. The ambience of a town or valley is dictated by a number of things, scenery being only one of them. Aspen’s cachet is in a continuing flux, said value of which is determined by whomever is willing to pony up the bucks that the realty market demands.
If, at the end of the day, it turns into Glitter Ghetto, so be it. We all create the worlds we inhabit.
I was sorry to hear about Cooper Street Pier and am just as sorry to hear about the Red Onion. Of course, I was sorry when Tom’s Market, Andre’s, the Toklat as a restaurant, both in Aspen and in Ashcroft, etc. etc., yadda yadda, all bit the dust. Aspen as an extension of Rodeo Drive may be just as appealing in the marketplace, or the intrinsic ambience of the town itself may be supplanted by constant wheeling and dealing, ever spiraling need for maximum return on investment, ad nauseum.
It would be nice to think that the people who come to Aspen do so because there is a certain peace cast by the mountains and the trees, the water and the air. Like almost anything else, ambience is transitory and a limited resource. It’s a fragile thing and requires a level of commitment and stewardship. Additionally, it’s subjective and varies from person to person. It’s not something I’d nail a hard dollar value to, but then again, my acumen in gauging the taste of anyone but myself is sorely lacking. I believed that Madonna would be a flash in the pan and Cindy Lauper was going to be the next big thing.
I can’t blame the owners of the Red Onion for wanting to make several gojillion dollars, but I can’t help wondering at the same time if the purchasers of the property aren’t gambling on an awfully big “maybe”.
Adios Red Onion; so long Cooper Street Pier. Y’all will soon be taking up residence in my personal ghost town – don’t worry though, there’s some damn fine spirits there.
The thing that I find most disturbing is that ron garfield, andy hect, and josh saslove are becoming the new ‘visionaries’ of our town with their redevelopment.
In the past our town had fritz benedict, and the paepke’s filling that role.
These three are hardly in the same league. Pretty pathetic really. Lawyers and real estate agents shaping the future of our town.
The thing that I find most disturbing is that ron garfield, andy hect, and josh saslove are becoming the new ‘visionaries’ of our town with their redevelopment.
In the past our town had fritz benedict, and the paepke’s filling that role.
These three are hardly in the same league. Pretty pathetic really. Lawyers and real estate agents shaping the future of our town.
If I had $10 million dollars I would remember what JFK stated on January 9th 1961″For those to whom much is given, much is required…” Darfur? Aids crisis? Homelessness? Starvation? etc…
If I had $10 million dollars I would remember what JFK stated on January 9th 1961″For those to whom much is given, much is required…” Darfur? Aids crisis? Homelessness? Starvation? etc…
[I wouldn’t lose a minute of sleep over the Red Onion while anchored off St. Tropez.]
Myopic.
Have you ever been to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (Jackson, Wyoming)?
I’m not suggesting someone make the Red Onion a shameless icon of a time gone by. The truth is, the Red Onion has every bit as much, arguably more, history than Doc Holliday’s in Glentucky, without both the down-valley location and the neon sign…
Surely someone besides me can see this…
Cheers,
[I wouldn’t lose a minute of sleep over the Red Onion while anchored off St. Tropez.]
Myopic.
Have you ever been to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (Jackson, Wyoming)?
I’m not suggesting someone make the Red Onion a shameless icon of a time gone by. The truth is, the Red Onion has every bit as much, arguably more, history than Doc Holliday’s in Glentucky, without both the down-valley location and the neon sign…
Surely someone besides me can see this…
Cheers,
Mitch,
I think you are on target with that one. The actual bar in the Red Onion is a one of a kind classic….it could be incorporated into something that could really generate some interest in those who visit as well as a “reborn” watering hole.
It’s too bad it didn’t happen before they decided to go the French Cafe and burrito route…still, it’s worth talking to the owners to see if something like that could work into their “vision”….
my dos centavos…
Mitch,
I think you are on target with that one. The actual bar in the Red Onion is a one of a kind classic….it could be incorporated into something that could really generate some interest in those who visit as well as a “reborn” watering hole.
It’s too bad it didn’t happen before they decided to go the French Cafe and burrito route…still, it’s worth talking to the owners to see if something like that could work into their “vision”….
my dos centavos…
Mitch and Alphalfa Sprout – the bar itself will probably end up in someone’s house. What a nice keepsake……
Keep in mind that the owners who have the controling stake in the building, who have convienently refrained from comment, are the same ones that gleefully represented jonathan ‘look at me’ lewis in his successful ploy to build a swimmingpool overlooking the hallame lake nature preserve with a lit glass staircase leading form the former paepke house. He is currently suing the city of aspen, and we have an ice rink named after him. Isn’t that cute?
The only thing we could really hope for replacing the this point is a hooters, or an upscale strip club with an all you can eat lunch buffet – and timeshares on top. At least we could still drink at both those places…..
Mitch and Alphalfa Sprout – the bar itself will probably end up in someone’s house. What a nice keepsake……
Keep in mind that the owners who have the controling stake in the building, who have convienently refrained from comment, are the same ones that gleefully represented jonathan ‘look at me’ lewis in his successful ploy to build a swimmingpool overlooking the hallame lake nature preserve with a lit glass staircase leading form the former paepke house. He is currently suing the city of aspen, and we have an ice rink named after him. Isn’t that cute?
The only thing we could really hope for replacing the this point is a hooters, or an upscale strip club with an all you can eat lunch buffet – and timeshares on top. At least we could still drink at both those places…..
[[T]he bar itself will probably end up in someone’s house.]
A simpler sentence you will not find… yet I found myself reading it over and over until it finally sunk in… The Red Onion’s bar, as in the bar you belly-up-to to order a drink, will end up in some Starwood basement, like an unnecessary apostrophe between a two-lane bowling alley and a wine cellar.
Any wagers on how long it will take for “the bar” to become a real estate liability?
Cheers,
[[T]he bar itself will probably end up in someone’s house.]
A simpler sentence you will not find… yet I found myself reading it over and over until it finally sunk in… The Red Onion’s bar, as in the bar you belly-up-to to order a drink, will end up in some Starwood basement, like an unnecessary apostrophe between a two-lane bowling alley and a wine cellar.
Any wagers on how long it will take for “the bar” to become a real estate liability?
Cheers,
Now there’s 3rd graders writing letters to the editor about the red Onion. The owners of the building are probably wringing their hands now in closed door meetings about how they should ‘silence’ the deangerous new generation of outrageous town conservationists that’s gravely threatening their profit margin.
Now there’s 3rd graders writing letters to the editor about the red Onion. The owners of the building are probably wringing their hands now in closed door meetings about how they should ‘silence’ the deangerous new generation of outrageous town conservationists that’s gravely threatening their profit margin.
Hey insertname_here!
Did you really think Cindy Lauper was gonna be the next big thing?!
wonder if she still hangs with big Lou Albano……
Hey insertname_here!
Did you really think Cindy Lauper was gonna be the next big thing?!
wonder if she still hangs with big Lou Albano……
Sailor without a rudder:
Seriously, I did. Madonna came across like retread disco at the outset and Cindy was fresh air.
This gives you a clue that I’m not some A&R guy who hangs in Aspen for 2 months at the height of the season.
Speaking of fresh air – (kicks it into Geezer mode), my family originally came to Aspen in ’64. The Paepke mode was in full gear at that time and summer or winter, Aspen felt like no other place on earth. It wasn’t just the scenery, or the blend of lederhosen meets Dodge City architecture – it was the people. Cachet and status may have been around a bit, but for the most part, people were just happy to BE there.
There’s a reason why guys like Freddie Fisher and HST fit hand and glove into the fabric of the place at that time – without the naturally eccentric and blazing original folks, Aspen will continue it’s slow devolution. Fast cash is nice, robust return on investment nothing to turn your nose up at, but sheer joy is found in the sun and the snow and a feeling of belonging to a place. The Onion is one of the few absolutely open doors left in town – a boozy democracy. Those sorts of places are much more fun than the Country Club.
Sincerly,
unca insert
Sailor without a rudder:
Seriously, I did. Madonna came across like retread disco at the outset and Cindy was fresh air.
This gives you a clue that I’m not some A&R guy who hangs in Aspen for 2 months at the height of the season.
Speaking of fresh air – (kicks it into Geezer mode), my family originally came to Aspen in ’64. The Paepke mode was in full gear at that time and summer or winter, Aspen felt like no other place on earth. It wasn’t just the scenery, or the blend of lederhosen meets Dodge City architecture – it was the people. Cachet and status may have been around a bit, but for the most part, people were just happy to BE there.
There’s a reason why guys like Freddie Fisher and HST fit hand and glove into the fabric of the place at that time – without the naturally eccentric and blazing original folks, Aspen will continue it’s slow devolution. Fast cash is nice, robust return on investment nothing to turn your nose up at, but sheer joy is found in the sun and the snow and a feeling of belonging to a place. The Onion is one of the few absolutely open doors left in town – a boozy democracy. Those sorts of places are much more fun than the Country Club.
Sincerly,
unca insert
Agreed unca, a Greed……
Agreed unca, a Greed……
insert_namehere, I am the ghost of plagiarism past….
insert_namehere, I am the ghost of plagiarism past….