TYNE VALEY — The new owners of The Landing Oyster House and Pub in Tyne Valley describe May 13 as a "race against time."
Erica Wagner and Joel Fitzpatrick still had paperwork and other details to attend to hours before their May 14 opening.
"It was a roller-coaster that day," said Wagner. "I will never forget it."
In the end everything came together.
"It made Saturday so much more enjoyable," she said. "That's the thing. We don't want this to be an easy thing. We want to work for this."
The couple bought the property last winter and moved into the upstairs apartment while they set out getting everything ready.
Wagner was familiar with the operation, having worked as a dishwasher for the pub's original owners a few years ago. Both owners also gained restaurant business while living in Charlottetown.
They believe all of their preparations helped make for a smooth opening and they are intent on working hard to make the business a success.
Local band, The Lazy Jacks, who hadn't played there in nearly five years, were back.
This coming Saturday the pub will host Mike Dixon and James Phillips. They already have a growing list of performers who have offered to jam. Jeff Noye is returning with his popular brand of Thursday night trivia.
And then there's the food.
"We're going to bring back the Malpeque oyster," Wagner announced.
Fitzpatrick will shuck at the bar.
"We're all about supporting our industry. All of our primary industries and primary harvesters are really important to the community. This should be a place where they feel welcomed and they feel valued," she added.
Island beef, Malpeque oysters and Island beer on tap is some of the local fare the pub is promoting.
"We're just about people celebrating Island food," Fitzpatrick said.
Hi Garth, No it is not. This Eric McCarthy is the Alberton bureau reporter who works for the Journal Pioneer. He lives in Bloomfield. The other Eric McCarthy is a frequent letter writer to the Journal Pioneer, and lives in Tignish. OUR Eric gets that question a lot! :)