It was goodbye to an old friend, if you can call a Tavern an old friend, last night.  Eighth and Rail is now a pleasant memory for those that called this one of their favorite watering holes. The building is officially under new ownership and that owner is looking for a tenant. Those that attended the final night, some in Black Tie, got something to take home at the end of the night.  You’ll probably see a few of us sporting our Eighth and Rail Goodnight Opelika Shirt.  On the back, forming a big number eight, names of bands and individuals that have played that stage over the years and the front with an old bi-wing airplane, looking a bit like a train.  Some final words from owner Richard Patton brought a tear to many eyes and the countdown to a new year with a final toast for all brought the evening to a close. Well, actually, many stayed to talk and dance a bit longer. Thanks Richard for a great night, good friends, having Miller Lite for a guy on a diet and for years of good times at The Rail! Goodnight Opelika!

Eighth and Rail… This is the original review I posted in June 2002 after the Tavern opened in downtown Opelika! With the Tavern’s last day coming New Years Eve with a Black Tie event, I thought you might find my initial observations interesting.

It’s Open and it’s Way Cool! Opelika’s jump into the 21st Century begins with a jump back, to a look and feel of a San Francisco Hotel lobby of the late 1800’s. Taking the “Opelika Railroad Town” theme and located downtown at 807 South Railroad Ave and 8th Avenue, Richard Patton and his partner Cooper Ray have opened “Eighth & Rail”.

Early accounts called this a “Dessert Bar” which I found a bit confusing. But having spent some time there I believe I have the concept down now.

Here’s a place you can drop by after work for a cold beer (that would be my favorite right? – Beer is desert to me after all) Or have dinner somewhere and drop by for coffee (or tea) and a great desert taste treat. There’s an Hourderve menu coming soon! They have replaced the typical bar pretzels with homemade “Cheese Straws” and it’s a great touch. (It’s Cheese Straws without the Wedding, as someone said the other night!)

It’s a Tag Team match with the evening opening of Hayne’s Café, which is located at the back door of the “Rail”. They will open evenings after some legal stuff for the drink license. I’ll review them later!

So, here’s some of the stuff you didn’t know about the Rail. When sitting at the bar, you’re drinking that cold beer on what was the roof of an old 8th Street house being restored by the bar’s owner. And those really cool light fixtures, they were actually the ceilings in a recently torn down building, shaped and molded with the talent that has laid this new “Rail” in Opelika. And, do those chair’s look a bit familiar? Well, that theater curtain that was part of the refurbishing job, might hide the fact they came from Goodwill. Or check the ceiling! It looks a different color in the evening, from early afternoon. And No, it’s not the booze. The sound system is state of the art, computer controlled, and all that will perform there will just plug and play (that’s a Bill Gates term I think) These guys are brilliant! What a Great Place!

Some early snafus: Okay, the bar stools won’t arrive till July 2nd or so, so the chairs at the bar are a bit short (but that made me feel like a kid at the bar, and younger – right?). And not all the styles of glasses have arrived, so those “locals” in the know, have brought their own glasses. This is the stuff that great stories are made of. But the desert cooler, and beer coolers are there now. And yes, Kelly won’t have to make the run to Kroger for Ice. The Ice Machine is in!

Oh, sorry. Have I not mentioned Kelly? She’s the Bar Manager and nothing has made my eyes feel this good since I got that last pack of Acuvue’s. Daughter Jenny and I checked out the Rail for the first time Father’s Day Weekend. So that would be the first visit. Then I checked in Thursday Night, said hey to Kelly when I walked in, and she said “Hi Jerry”. There is so much gained when folks remember names. (You would think she’s a Real Estate person or something!)

Here’s a place where a couple of guys have decided to shape the atmosphere over the summer. Don’t expect a big Grand Opening before the fall. They will be trying different things over the next few months to find the right mix for the “Rail” before spring forward. I think this is the cool part. The Rail is going to be a little bit of all those that visit over the next few months.

And who’s going to the Rail? I’ve got several days under my belt, so here’s what I’ve seen. It’s Young & Old and Rich & Poor! I’ve seen folks I haven’t seen in 2 years. Here’s a place that is going to bring Opelika closer together. No matter where folks come from to the Rail, they find themselves there for the same reason.

For folks that live like I did in a previous life, let’s get that tree down and ready to recycle.  We would begin undoing Christmas decorations after lunch on Christmas Day!

Christmas Tree Recycling in Opelika! This Saturday, December 31 from 8am-12pm at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. Keep Opelika Beautiful will have volunteers to unload your tree. Plus: Receive a free dogwood seedling in exchange for your tree!

As I noted below, buddy Jimmy Johnson will be at Heritage Gifts and Gourmet with his new book, a great Holiday gift idea.  But wait, just listen to what his fans have said from his website.

• minnesotadon on 01 Dec 2011 at 6:08 am # - And I can’t say it any better than both Blinky and Matt have already said it. If you are on the fence about buying the book, go ahead and buy it and if you don’t like it I’ll buy it back from you…how’s that? Have a supergreat wonder fulfantasticmarvelous day.
• Will Overby on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:02 am # - This is the collection A&J fans have demanded for years! One of the funniest and smartest comic strips ever.
• russ on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:19 am # - There really isn’t any thing to say, if you like/love Arlo and Janis, then you have to buy the book. If you don’t know who they are and you are or have been single, married, a teenager, an adult, a cat lover, a dog lover, a cat hater, a dog hater, like sailing ships, have ever read a book, don’t read at all or somewhere in between, then you probably ought to give this book a try… oh, and did I mention, the book has pictures.
• hc on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:30 am # - A wonderful look at the simple every day occurances of life – with many chuckles along the way. The book also includes an insightful introduction and two additional interludes to keep the reader up to date with the journey of the author – starting in 1985 and ending with 2010.