Oh, No! Right Wing Tavern Is Closed
A new restaurant, Freight Kitchen & Tap, is slated to open in the train depot soon.
Say it ain’t so! Right Wing Tavern has closed its doors for good.
It’s true. “American Food Politically Incorrect” located in historic downtown is no more.
“What?!?! No way! I just had dinner there last night!” posted Tim Dennis on the Right Wing Tavern Facebook page.
The closing of a business recently highlighted as the Downtown Woodstock business of the day by Mainstreet Woodstock has left the community wondering just what happened.
The owners could not be reached for comment.
But Kyle Bennet with the Downtown Development Association told Patch a new restaurant, Freight Kitchen & Tap, is slated to open in the train depot soon.
Right Wing Tavern brought Southern food, a welcoming gathering place and political wit to downtown patrons, who have flooded the restaurant's Facebook page.
“That was my favorite place to go for wings n beer," said Robert Tison. "Where else can one find a fried green tomato sandwich? Nowhere! A tragic day indeed.”
Leaving loyal Right Wing patrons grieving their favorite watering hole, Right Wing Tavern posted the following message Thursday on Facebook:
“Yes, it is true...as of today the Right Wing Tavern is officially closed. We love everyone in our Right Wing family so, so much! Thank you everyone for the good times, memories and friendships made there. Thanks for the support during the years. It was a very difficult thing, but we feel its what's best for our family and staff right now.”
The news has drawn tremendous response from Woodstock residents sharing fond memories, expressing gratitude for years of service, and of course, in true form, voicing political commentary.
“I truly hate to hear this," said Steven Baumrind. "What a great place. I blame Obama.”
True to the tavern’s name, many Right Wing customers blame the left, Democrats and liberals, including President Barack Obama and even Jimmy Carter, for the owners’ decision to close.
“Will miss the Wit and posts on Facebook. Will miss the atmosphere. Hopefully won't miss Jamie and his family because they will still be around and a part of downtown Woodstock. Obama has already been blamed so I blame Jimmy Carter," said Lee A. West.
Community businesses also responded to the closing.
“Tom and I from The Wright Stuff Collectibles are truly sorry to hear this sad news. We've always enjoyed our meals at your restaurant. It's a sad day for Woodstock,” said Anne Wright.
Marshall Still of Acoustic Open Mic said, “We loved it and think it was a success in concept and taste! Surprised of the news ... always seemed to be a crowd when we went there. big bummer! best of luck!”
Billy Peppers, the director of the Woodstock Office of Economic Development Services, shared his fondest memory in response to the closing.
“I told my wife I loved her for the very first time at Sunday night trivia. Right Wing will always have a special place in my heart," he wrote on the tavern's Facebook page. "Thank you Jamey and Wendy!”
Peppers could not be reached Friday.
Bobby
8:18 am on Sunday, June 26, 2011
I never went there. The name put me off.
Gotta figure...25-35% of Woodstock and Cherokee vote Democrat.
If you had had 25-35% more clientele I bet business would be great.
Great idea for a theme, bad idea as a business plan to alienate about 30% of potential customers.
David
12:44 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Hate to see them go!
David
12:49 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
From what I remember they did not accept food stamps so..... I don't believe it would have helped much. Hope the family is well!
JonC
3:02 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Name was a complete turnoff. Never went there because of it.
Heather
4:08 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Boo! Where else am I gonna get a Filibuster and a Rudolph Giuliani for lunch?
Noel Stogs
4:08 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
I've been there a good 30 times in the couple of years I've lived here, and I'm a Libertarian. A Libertarian who doesn't mind mingling with, respecting, and even enjoying the humor of people with different points of view, of course.
It didn't seem to hurt them much - every time my husband and I went there, it was well-populated. Weekend days it was packed. It was the perfect balance between never having to wait for a table and never feeling like you were the staff's main focus. In fact, it wasn't until they tried to become -more- politically correct that we noticed changes in friends's reviews and the frequency of their visits.
We walked around the building tonight in such a funk, looking in at the bare walls and empty bar. Unforgettable evenings were spent in that place, summer nights on its patio, watching the lights of Main Street and enjoying a cigar as the trains rolled by. My heart sank to know that era is over.
With any luck, Freight will bring good things, but even when I'm sitting in that exact same building, I'll always miss Right Wing's staff, its owners, and the comedy they brought to downtown Woodstock.
(Also, I'm legitimately upset that I'll never again get to taste their indulgent, sinfully tasty Dirty Shrimp Pasta.)
Stephanie P.
2:07 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
As one of those damn liberals everyone is always blaming, I'll have to say it never once crossed my mind to not try the place because of the theme or name. I did notice a map of the 2008 election results was suspiciously missing though, lol. Unfortunately for them the recession did not discriminate against party lines. I didn't once have a great meal there although I really wanted to like the food. It was always seemed to be understaffed when I went. That seems to happen as restaurants are trying to cut costs.
Gman
1:25 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011
Schadenfreude!
Common Tater
8:44 pm on Monday, July 18, 2011
I'm a Democrat who left the "Dark Side: :-) after Nixon's exploits. I ate a number of times at the RWT and enjoyed every meal. I will miss it and I'm sure the people that made a living there miss it as well! I always thought that the owners were really closet Democrats who were poking fun at people too dense to figure it out. I mean, really. Think of the names of some of the menu items.
Maybe the owner SHOULD open up a "Middle of the Road So We Don't Offend Anybody Tavern" which, in addition to the RWT's offerings, could then offer The Barney Frank, Tips O'Neill, and The Obama Health Care Plan (which would be a fruits and veggie menu offering with gross things my wife likes like yams, spinach, beets, squash, berries, and broccoli (YUK!!!)), and The Betty Ford (a non-alcoholic drink of some sort, with a portion of the cost going to her clinic). I could go on and on, but I'm giving away some pretty good stuff here for free (just like the tax cuts to the wealthy some of our Congressmen (and women) are proposing to continue even though we can't afford it, 'cause we're broke).
I look forward to the grand opening of FK&T. See you there! CT
Kayla Deann
2:55 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
TOTALLY agree with Common Tater!! Ate there once, really enjoyed the food but must admit I did feel some kinda way about being a Democrat in that environment...felt a little dirty but with a full belly of course! Now i'm just wondering if i can get a refund on my unused groupon! LOL