Business & Tech

VIDEO: Michael's Pub Goodbye Party (And What You're Saying About Its Closing)

News of the closing of the bar and restaurant in Kings Contrivance got people talking.

The official news that Michael's Pub in Kings Contrivance was closing didn't give people much time to react to it – the bar and restaurant closed on Tuesday.

Here's some of what people said on Facebook, in the comments section and on other websites. You're welcome to add your own thoughts below.

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Robert J. Terry (via the Maryland Daily Record)

"A place like Michael’s Pub served as an anchor to the village center. But retail trends have worked against the village center concept for years now — it’s hard to thrive competing against big-box retail, chain restaurants and mega grocery stores, which Columbia has plenty of."

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Milton Friendly (via HowChow)

"Best burgers in Columbia if you're a purist. No seasoning or duck fat (!!!) on the natural cut fries. Always a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. So long, Michael's. You will be missed."

Eddie Welker (via HowChow)

"Good riddance. Compared to Milton above, I felt the complete opposite about the place. Yes, there was a relaxed atmosphere about the place... but that was mostly from the workers not doing their jobs."

Brandon Miller (via HowChow)

"Good, bad or ugly, Michael's was the place to be in the early to mid '90s the night before Thanksgiving in Columbia. That was before cell phones but everyone knew where to go to see friend's home from school. I had not been there since 1997, plus or minus a year, so I have no idea what it was at the end."

Mary Love

"I am so upset to hear this. I really had no idea. We've lived in Kings Contrivance since 1985 and have been going to Michael's since it opened. We were just there on Wednesday, and saying how nice it is to have our own neighborhood pub."

Marty Nicholson

"Very sad day for Kings Contrivance, Columbia and Hammond High students!"

Liz

"You can't make money when you give away free merchandise to your friends who never pay. Knew this would happen, and time it did. So rude to paying customers. Very trashy staff there. Time for something new and fresh to move in, and please don't hire the same staff, or you will go broke too."

Eric

"Interesting that they are blaming the smoking legislation – it was a poor business decision that appeared to have sunk them. Expanding into extra space without considering that it would only accommodate a small base of existing customers and NOT bring in any new revenue is simply a bad decision. And I will miss the place although I haven't been there much since I moved from Columbia. Hope they don't allow a chain to move in. It was nice to have a local owner."

Jo-Anne Kahl

"What fond memories we have of Michael's Pub and the fine folks (employees and customers) that we have gotten to know over the years. You could always depend on Michael's for good food, a good variety, good fun and nice people."


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