New Restaurant/Bar opens in Havana Town Center

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The Gray Bar Saloon opened two weeks ago, and is already becoming a hot spot for Eastbridge residents and many who just got bonded out of jail. “It really gives that urban mix that we have been looking for in Stapleton,” says frequent patron Kevin Stone. “I love being able to ask people what they were in for. Sometimes, I accidentally ask a Stapleton resident, but it is not a big deal.” Residents and convicts have been enjoying this old-school dive bar, which just became the second thriving business (carwash) in the Eastbridge Town Center in only 12 years. Forrest City President Phil Dargossi is very excited about the new development. “Things like this spur growth. We may not be getting a major retailer or a fresh foods market of any sort, but we are well on our way to having a random hodgepodge of businesses put together without any thought.” The bar serves frozen pizzas (microwaved), assorted candies, complimentary coffee, offers a black & white TV for viewing, as well as the following amenities:

  • a pool table
The bar offers $2 PBR cans all day, every day, which was a big score for the small operation, says owner Brad Elmer. “We wanted to get an award-winning beer in here, and not be like a lot of bars that can only get the small-time local microbrews. We worked hard with the Blue Ribbon people, and we got it.” Elmer believes this is a strong reason for the diversity and amount of business they receive. Elmer believes with the high divorce rate and alcoholism rate in Stapleton, his bar should thrive for many years to come. ]]>