Londontowne Pub Owners Overwhelmed by Community Support Following Stabbing
Paige Blair, owner of Blair's Londontowne Pub and Grill, said she expected a flood of negativity, but what she got instead truly left her speechless.
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After a man was stabbed inside Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill just after midnight on Saturday, its co-owner dreaded reading Patch the following morning.
Paige Blair, who owns the business with her husband Robbie, said she feared a flood of negative comments after the stabbing incident, citing the establishments “rough” reputation. But less than an hour after the story hit Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s front page, what she read left her overwhelmed and speechless.
“I was really watching the Patch because of the negative feeling that the community [previously] had about the place. I was thinking ‘Now they’re going to say it all again,’” Blair said.
What she expected was a flood of condemning and negative comments, but what Blair found was an overflow of positivity and an “unbelievable” amount of support from the community.
Almost three years ago in December 2009, Blair and her husband Robbie purchased the Londontowne Pub, aware that it had a “hard” reputation. Their goal was to reshape the culture, give the business a slightly new name and establish the pub as a beloved staple within the surrounding neighborhoods.
“When we bought it, we wanted people to come out and make it a community place—to get rid of the old image,” Blair said. “I would say [the old reputation] was not family friendly and rough.”
Blair knew they were “on their way” to reforming the restaurant’s reputation, but it took a stabbing and some critical commenters for them to realize just how much the community truly appreciated their pub and its new feel.
“I thought there was going to be a lot of negativity. I knew our patrons were nice people, but I didn’t realize that they supported us that much,” Blair said. “I’m so grateful … I’m truly overwhelmed.”
The stabbing occurred inside Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill just after midnight on Saturday, according to police. The following night, Blair said her business was bustling with people who specifically wanted to show that the incident wasn’t going to diminish their patronage.
“It was a good night. I was pretty impressed,” she said.
The community’s support of Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill all began when a Patch reader said the pub was “filled with a bunch of low class dirt bags.”
Just minutes after the initial comment, a flood of supporters came to defend the establishment, its patrons and the Blairs for devoting themselves to reshaping the pub’s culture.
The Blairs purchased the pub just less than three years ago, and coincidentally, the critics of the business admitted they hadn’t been there in about three years due to their distaste for the restaurant. Commenters who supported the business consistently told critics that the pub had drastically changed in just a three-year span.
Mike H. wrote, “In the last three years under the new ownership it has changed dramatically. I now like it as a local dive bar with decent/good food, great specials. I would like to see the owners continue to improve the restaurant and make it into a hidden gem.”
Another user named Jason told critics, “If you went there lately you would see different.”
Of the 46 comments left on the article as of 3 p.m. on Monday, an overwhelming majority of them openly supported the Blairs and their pub.
Do you feel strongly about Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill? Write a review of the business on their listing on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch.
Does the stabbing deter you from heading to the local pub? Tell me in the comments.
Jason Sellars
5:54 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
It is nice to finally see good thing written about the Pub on Patch
Andy Fenton
6:50 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Kudos and thank you for following up on your original post with an interview with Paige. I know firsthand how one bad incident can tarnish the reputation of a business. I was there Saturday to show my support and even returned Sunday evening with my daughter for a pizza to show that my love for the Pub is stronger now than it's even been. I would like to thank the other patrons and memebers of the community that have shown their support as well. I know it has helped ease some of the stress that followed Friday Nights unfortunate incident. Now perhaps we can move forward and help support this wonderful local business as they continue to remake themselves as a family friendly gathering place for the community. I know I will be there.
erich woodall
6:52 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Werd. Erich
Mr.Miagi
7:49 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
It's not just the stabbing but the "Hick" crowd that only seem to like regulars and they give you a dirty look if you're a new comer. Not to mention the druggies that ask for money in there.
Paige Blair
10:36 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Your negative comments really are unfounded. There are no druggies asking for money and the so called hicks you speak of are regular people. Apparently you have some grandiose image of being above others, but just keep in mind we welcome everyone and we have a very friendly atmosphere. There will always be people who cannot let go of the past.
Ang
7:57 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
How is crab night?
Paige Blair
10:38 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Crab night has been a big success. The crabs have been great. Only $2 a crab and happy hour drink prices.
Andy Dawson
9:29 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Mr Miagi is a loser and a racist for saying such things. Long live "the pub" you idiot bastard Miagi. People like you give foreigners a bad name.
Mr.Miagi
11:52 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
*CLAP* *CLAP* wow Andy seems like your language is setting a great example of how Family friendly the pub really is?
Plasma
9:39 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Andy, you have some pent up frustration. Seems to me your giving "The Pub" a bad reputation with your use of profanity. I thought it was a "family friendly" neighborhood establishment? Your demonstrating, perfectly how family friendly it is!
Hoodlum
7:59 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Come on people! It's not an issue with the Pub, its the people in the neighborhood. Why do you think it is called Hoodlum Beach? Always has, always will be. Kinda like complaining about airplane noise when you move in next to an airport.
Shade55
10:05 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Some people have no clue what they are talking about! Miagi you are dope I have been to the pub many times and never had anyone beg for money ! Andy is right you are an idiot also. The pub is a place were hard working people go to relax and see and or meet friends. Plasma your comments are just stupid like you.
Mayra Camden
11:01 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
As a "newcomer", I was greeted with friendly attitudes and no hostilities (under the old ownership). I have been there several times since Paige and Robbie took the place over and the place is even friendlier than before. The clientele has been very kind and many have even offered to buy a drink or two. I made several great new friends in the past 3 years. All I can tell the negative people is don't knock it til you try out the much improved atmosphere of the Pub. Kudos to the Patch for recognizing our positive support for a local establishment!
Tee Vee
12:34 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
All my best to the new owners. How is the poor guy who was stabbed?
Paige Blair
1:13 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
He is recovering well and is on vacation. We spoke to him yesterday and he plans on returning to the pub as soon as he can. We can't want to share a pizza with him.We are so glad that he is doing well. Thank you
Laura Zollinhofer
12:38 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
He is doing incredible ! Thank you for asking:)
Mayra Camden
1:04 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Glad to hear he is on the mend. Wishing for a speedy recovery :)
Jonathan Moynihan
1:21 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A comment was deleted from this thread for violating Patch's terms of use, specifically for using offensive language towards a specific user. http://www.patch.com/terms
MrMagicMan
6:26 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The pub was and still is a blight on the community. The new owners may have good intentions for the bar but the fact is, you can't take the rough crowd out because they live within walking distance of the pub. I'm not shocked a man was recently stabbed there because I witnessed guys wielding box cutters, knives, and in one disturbing instance, a gun. That was my last visit (spring of 2012) and I won't be going back. Even if I liked the food and the quaint atmosphere.... It's not worth your life.