Wednesday, January 21, 2009

More on Trackside Tavern


JOHN SPINK / jspink@ajc.com

The Trackside Tavern, a favorite watering hole for Agnes Scott students and other young Decatur residents, was destroyed by fire. • Story | Photo


Fire destroys Trackside Tavern in Decatur
Neighboring 5th Earl Market damaged

By APRIL HUNT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Trackside Tavern, the Decatur watering hole that helped launched the Indigo Girls and other local acoustic acts, is no more for now.

The tavern was boarded up Wednesday, a day after it was consumed by a fire in the small commercial strip at East College Avenue and South Candler Street. A sandwich shop next door, the 5th Earl Market, suffered smoke damage.

There were no serious injuries.

Trackside opened in 1982 and, along with the Freight Room and Eddie’s Attic, became the epicenter of an acoustic music scene that flourished in Decatur.

In recent years, Trackside earned a loyal following for its laid-back vibe and late-night hours.

Some patrons have gathered on Facebook, looking for ways to help the pub rebuild. One group gathered Tuesday night at the Corner Pub, another Decatur bar that suffered a fire several years ago and re-opened with community support.

A “Soup-er Bowl” soup-off planned at Trackside this weekend will instead be held at the Corner Pub. The event begins at 3 p.m. at the bar in East Decatur Station on East College Avenue.

The Decatur Fire Department is still looking into the cause of the blaze. The owner of the 5th Earl Market vowed on the Decatur Metro blog to bring back his shop “better than ever.”

1 comment:

Fionna said...

Fire never chooses whom to burn with, and it's a very traumatic experience, seeing your business, and what you built just turn into ashes. Luckily this one have been save buy fireman. - jiucy couture