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 The Black Barnacle closes its doors for the last time.by Chris Chase
Coastal Journal staff
BATH — The Black Barnacle, a pub located at 102 Front St. in Bath that had previously clashed with city officials over the renewal of its liquor license, has closed its doors for the final time.
The pub had previously lost its liquor license after a city council vote on June 12, only to regain it later on after pressure put on the council by the pub’s owner, Greg Tisdale. Currently, according to the state Liquor Licensing and Compliance division, the Black Barnacle has a valid liquor license through June of 2013.
The closing, according to Tisdale, had little to do with any previous controversy and was entirely business related.
“It just doesn’t make enough money,” said Tisdale. “We were hoping to bank enough money to make it through the winter, but we weren’t even close.”
Tisdale assured that any unsubstantiated rumors about the business’ closing were only rumors, and that the truth is the decision was based entirely on money.
“I’m sure you’re going to hear everything,” said Tisdale of the rumors. “It’s simple: If it was making money, I wouldn’t have closed it.”
Skip Taylor, the owner of the neighboring Winters Gone Fashions, had previously had problems with the Black Barnacle, but says he is still sad to see it go.
“Well, I don’t like to see any business fail,” said Taylor.
Taylor felt that the previous controversy and conflict between the city and the Black Barnacle had been a messy undertaking, but is still regretful for the loss of a business.
“I’m disappointed in the way the city handled the problem, and sad that a business had to close,” said Taylor.
In the end, Taylor said he feels the city and area should just move on.
“It’s over, it’s over,” said Taylor.
Tisdale had opened the bar after an accident left him paralyzed and unable to continue in his carpentry. Now that his health has improved and his carpentry business has picked up once again, he decided that the pub business just wasn’t for him.
“I’ll never promote alcohol again,” said Tisdale.
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