Grazie!

Grazie!  Grazie!  Well, friends and family, the dust has settled after having sold Bowery Station and we transitioned out the door on New Year's Eve!  In all the mayhem, excitement and usual debauchery that went along with those final days, Holidays, and some of the best live music in the world, we found ourselves lacking in one clear area.... and that was to extend our sincere thanks to so many fine folks.  It's impossible to cover all our bases in that area, and with every blink of an eye, we can think of someone else that is deserving of our greatest gratitude and immense appreciation!  But try we must...

Let's work backward....

The Send Off Party

First, thank you to Janine, Kathy and Lori for planning an absolutely fantastic farewell gathering, and equally so to Kai and Sabrina for hosting over 100 folks at their awesome house.  Thank you to all of you that attended and contributed to the effort as well.  What a fantastic day, from musicians to customers, all of whom we consider to be the best of friends. Genuinely said, it was the greatest day of our time here in Apalachicola.  Folks from as far as Pennsylvania came to share the day with us, and so many from Tally and PC and points in between... tears were flowing, beer and wine flowing, pigs and oysters were cooking... thank you to everyone who made the effort to be there, for the gifts, and for the fine camaraderie, we will always remember the day as a highlight in our lives!  To all of you that made that day happen and were a part of it... we say GRAZIE!!

The Musicians

We started Bowery Station with only one small concept in mind... could we run a business whereby we could make a living doing what we would do most often... when we were not working.  To that end... I mean drinking beer and listening to live music.  Throughout our lives we have seen the best, the best local bands, the best venues, the best performances....throughout the world.  Or so we thought.  This area of the country has by far, hands down the best talent, and most humble and professional musicians we have ever seen, and we are so thankful to have enjoyed them on our stage.  Obviously, there are far too many to mention, but we can never thank enough those few who took a shot on us in the beginning.  A small room, with only beer and wine, in a small town off the beaten path.  Those talents in the beginning took a chance to play for a pittance to a handful of eager live music enthusiasts in our small hamlet of Apalach.  Our never ending thanks to all of them, and sooo many more (Too many to mention) who took our stage and built it into what it became!  As it grew we were blessed to have more musicians join us, first from Panama City and Tally, but ultimately from throughout the Country.  Again, the list is too long, and to all of them we are indebted.  These talents took a shot on getting off the beaten path and made their way to our stage and to Aplachicola and understood our philosophy of not over-saturating a small market.  Then you, our customers, made it up to them.... and they quickly realized the magic of the partnership between musicians, venue, and our customers!!  Then of course there were those folks that grew up on our Open Mic stage and they themselves have become local legends able to perform their own gigs!  To all of those talented individuals that worked with us throughout the years... we say GRAZIE!  

The Customers

None of what was created could not have happened without our customers.  There were so many, from around the world, that have been with us through thick and thin.... again far too many to mention.  Through your generosity we were able to raise well over $100,000 for local charities over the years, including The Riverkeeper, The Humane Society, The Apalachicola Library, Senior Centers, Victims of the Eastpoint Fire, SGI Cat Allies, Area Volunteer Fire Depts, Friends of St. Vincent Island, and the list goes on and on.  And through your participation, energy and enthusiasm for our shows and events we were able to create that fun, festive, and unique environment that was Bowery Station.  To all of you, both local, and from all over the world that became our friends, and gave so much ... we say GRAZIE! 

The Businesses

Of course we also owe a debt of gratitude to all those businesses on the Forgotten Coast who worked with us and believed in the concept that a rising tide lifts all boats.  It was great to know so many had our backs in times of need, and we could rely on each other for support and assistance over the years.  Again, too many to mention, but OCBC, Paddy's, Up the Creek/Stairs/etc, Fathom's, Harry A's, Indian Pass and Haughty Heron, The Tap Room, Chowder House, Enjoy Apalachicola, Forgotten Coast Fly Company, Riverside Mercantile, Woodduck's Guide Service, Peregrine Charters and so many other Charter Captains, again too many to mention, all of whom helped us immensely during the last six years... to all those businesses we had the pleasure to work with over the years.... we say GRAZIE!

Beyond that, we know we are missing so many others that lent a hand when we needed it, but ultimately you do know who you are, and you should know if we missed mentioning you that we are thankful for every one of you that helped.

Also, please remember, before we head out of town, Matt will be playing the Paddy's stage on Thursday, February 13, from 2-5pm.  Come on out and join us at this BS pop event and hang with all the old crew for what should be a fun afternoon of frivolity!