http://theapp.appstate.edu/content/view/3568/42/

Quote :

" Fire leaves Boone Saloon singed Tuesday, 15 April 2008 by ANNE BAKER News Reporter by LINDSAY DIEDRICH Intern Lifestyles Reporter King Street restaurant and bar Boone Saloon was evacuated late Thursday night when a fire started in the rear of the building. Boone Fire Department arrived at the scene at 11:38 p.m. with a response time to the call of less than one minute once the department was dispatched, Boone Chief of Fire Reginald Hassler said. “We had a total of three engines, one squad car, and a ladder truck respond,” Hassler said. “On standby, we called Blowing Rock, Meat Camp and Foscoe volunteer fire departments.” However, extra assistance was not necessary and the fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes and completely extinguished in two and a half hours, Hassler said. There were no reported injuries. However, damage to Boone Saloon totaled over a quarter of a million dollars, with property damage estimated to be $200,000 and content damage to be $125,000, Hassler said. The band Comic Charlie was playing at the restaurant when they discovered the fire. “We smelt something burning, like paper,” band member Michael Wegner said. “We went into our next song, but stopped in the middle because of the smell.” The band then acted fast to their concern. “We announced to the crowd that something was burning,” fellow member John Miley said. “We looked behind us and the flames were hitting the ceiling.” Once the fire was discovered, Boone Saloon staff quickly evacuated patrons prior to the fire department’s arrival. “We want to commend the Boone Saloon managers and owners for having everyone evacuated by the time we got [there],” Hassler said. Those in attendance said the evacuation process went smoothly. “Everyone was pretty calm,” Miley said. “It was pretty orderly.” Appalachian State University alumnus Edwin K. Hively agreed and said those who were inside the building were able to move out quickly. Hassler said the cause of the fire was determined to be improper discarding of smoking materials. “Smoking materials meant something in the form of a cigarette,” he said. The fire department was on the scene until 4 a.m. to make sure the fire was completely extinguished. "

i hope they were able to save the jukebox, it is probably the greatest non-internet jukebox i've ever seen

4/15/2008 7:45:09 PM

Quote :

"“Smoking materials meant something in the form of a cigarette,” he said. "

let's face it, it's boone

4/17/2008 1:37:09 AM

Never been a fan, the two times I've been it was so packed that it ran down to just warm bottles (I mean like sitting in the trunk warm) in the back and people were begging to order 2 or 3 at a time at normal price with huge tips.

I guess I'm just not use to fighting to get a beer because thats all they can serve in Boone. In Boone you have to travel a lot of miles to get pricey shots (it would be like having to drive to a town that resembles Chapel but only 10 miles away to get shots). God you better have a sober driver because they set up knowing there is only one main road that people travel to get real drinks.

4/17/2008 3:55:24 AM

Quote :

"On standby, we called Blowing Rock, Meat Camp and Foscoe volunteer fire departments."

Blowing Rock...Meat Camp...LOL

4/17/2008 9:37:13 AM

don't worry Boonies - if the Watauga Democrat has anything to say about it, liquor by the drink is on the way!
http://www.wataugademocrat.com/2008/0414/0418ourview.php
http://hcmedia.typepad.com/the_editors_blog/2008/04/double-shot-of.html

Quote :

"The idea that this historic anachronism should be fixed is beyond logical argument. One doesn’t have to support the use of alcohol to recognize the lack of reason and restraint of freedom inherent in the current prohibition. The Downtown Boone Development Association is backing the push to allow mixed drinks and with good reason. No one denies downtown suffers from several problems that could be fixed by added revenue — more and better parking solutions, beautification efforts, the addition of sidewalks to Howard Street. The additional tax revenues from the sale of mixed drinks is estimated to top $238,000 per year, certainly enough to help alleviate the obstacles which hold downtown Boone back from a greater future. ...... It’s truly amazing that we must have this discussion at the dawn of the 21st century. This overbearing burden should have been dealt with years ago. We hope responsible citizens of Boone will show up at the special public hearing on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watauga County administration building and tell the council we don’t need the government to make moral decisions for us. We deserve the right to decide where and what we will drink or not drink. "

^ yeah, yeah. I have to defend Blowing Rock (my hometown) - that name is at least logical.... it's named after a rock..... that has a lot of wind.... that blows upwards sometimes ("the only place where it snows upside down").
but Meat Camp, yeah.... that one is embarrassing

4/18/2008 4:39:05 PM