By Chris Bavender
It’s not unusual for regulars to see Three Ds’ Pub & Café owner, Erin Heller, sitting and chatting with customers, getting feedback and ideas.
“I ask them how they plan where to go for a night out, what they look for in music, what’s big, etc.” she said. “They would tell me that country is really big now. I knew that every weekend this summer my business tanked because everyone was going to Klipsch for the country concerts. I like listening to country music so I thought maybe that’s what we needed here.”
Heller said Three Ds’ previous owners – when the bar was called Mickey’s Irish Pub – had a lot of classic rock.
“But I just don’t think there are many who really go out to listen to that,” she said. “I am 37 and I know I don’t want to listen to Def Leppard or the Grateful Dead. I want to bring a younger feel.”
The inaugural country act at Three Ds’ was in September and featured musician Tim McDonald.
“I think customers were confused at first,” Heller said. “It was one of those things that went over well with the people who were there and then they were like, ‘Oh, do you have country bands?’ They were used to the classic rock here.”
Heller also wants to bring in more original music.
“It all seems to be covers, but growing up in the Cleveland area that is all we went to – bands that did original music. So, when I bought this place it is part of what I envisioned,” she said.
Among other changes, Heller is planning more than $100,000 in renovations.
“You don’t see a lot of it because most was in the kitchen,” Heller said. “There is also a new menu, we made it non-smoking and family friendly. You can bring the kids in, sit down and have a nice meal. I am a single mom with three kids and I needed that. Sometimes there isn’t anyone to watch my youngest, David, and I have to bring him to work.”
Upcoming events include an original music night Oct. 22 featuring Coyote Armanda & Endiana, country singer Corey Cox on Oct. 25 and country band Asphalt Farm on Nov. 22.
Three Ds’ Pub & Cafe
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
More information: www.threedspubandcafe.com
