Shantytown Pub finds home in revitalized Springfield neighborhood

[thelakelander]

12/07/2007

by Joel Addington

Contributing Writer

It’s been more than a year since Rob Gordon has been back to the small Springfield bar near the corner of Main and 6th streets.

He used to sweep the floors when it was called Moe’s Tavern, a place much different than what he saw when returning for the first time Saturday.

“There was no back, no patio,” said the Jacksonville Beaches resident, referring to the outdoor space in the rear decorated with hanging lights and graffiti art. “It was just a little square with a pool table. But there was never any entertainment. We entertained ourselves.”

Something else has changed, he noted.

“We would have problems,” said Gordon, 45. “We’d keep the door locked because people would try to rob the place.”

Today, the spot is called Shantytown Pub, something that’s hard to miss because the name is spray-painted on the side of the building in 10-foot-tall letters next to the head of a baboon. And on Saturday night, the door at 22 W. 6th St. sat wide open as the mostly 20-something crowd began arriving.

There’s almost always some form of entertainment, whether it be trivia, a band or simply a customer with a guitar and lubricated vocal chords.

Only beer and wine are served at Shantytown Pub. The upstart has 12 beers on tap and about 75 bottled beers regularly stocked, including the popular Blanche de Bruxelles, said bartender Dylan Lowvier.

“I understand we’re the only ones who have it,” he said, shortly after scribbling in a thick notebook the name of a hip hop tune patron Walter Grant brought to his attention.

“It’s for ideas and stuff I have,” said Lowvier, a 25-year-old Riverside resident. “I have a bunch of them â€" notebooks, not ideas.”

On the walls hang paintings from local artists, including one of Clint Eastwood and another of Audrey Hepburn. Hundreds of stickers, fliers and other non-traditional decorations adorn almost every surface. One sticker on the cooler reads, “Google Ron Paul.”

The establishment celebrated its one-year anniversary Nov. 23, which drew a large crowd, said co-owner Ian Ranne.

“It was one of the busiest days we’ve ever had,” said the 27-year-old Jacksonville native. “The day after Thanksgiving is one the biggest drinking days.”

However, Ranne said the pub has been fairly busy ever since it opened.

“We had a formula down from the get go,” he said. “We don’t try to be anything but a common man’s bar. It’s not anything real fancy. People are comfortable coming in whatever they’re wearing. We stick to what we know and to what people like and that’s been a big part of our success. It’s a good punk rock show and a cold beer.”

And that’s something the customers appreciate.

“It’s a cool place,” said one patron who identified himself only as Zeke.

“We know the bartenders. It’s comfortable. It’s like Cheers.”

Ranne and his girlfriend managed another Downtown watering hole, London Bridge, before starting Shantytown. The couple spent eight months renovating the space on 6th Street, which Ranne said is very affordable when compared to leases of similarly sized establishments in Riverside or San Marco, where much of Shantytown’s customer base resides.

“We did a lot of remodeling ourselves,” he said. “We’d make $100 in tips at London Bridge and call the plumber the next day and give it to him.”

Growing up in Riverside, Ranne knew that Springfield hasn’t always had the best reputation. He recalled the period prior to the neighborhood’s revitalization, when the area was known for drugs and prostitution.

“I remember when this area â€" 6th Street â€" was one of the worst places in Jacksonville in the 1980s,” he said. “I’m happy to be a part of helping to clean it up a little bit, too. I hear all kinds of stories from the old guys.”And fortunately, those stories are no longer a reality.

“Having more positive energy around makes all the difference,” said Ranne. “If there are a lot of positive people having a good time, the bad element is less likely to feel comfortable, you know.”

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=48991

[downtownparks]

Good Job Ian and MarieAnne. We appreciate you guys, and thank you for the work you have done.

[gatorback]

Shantytown Pub is great.  I love popping in for a beer on tap whenever I'm in town.

[lindzeeluv]

LOVE this place!

Lots of CUTE guys here, and its SOOOOOO laid back.

[downtownparks]

Shantytown does rock. Ian and MaryAnn are awesome people as well as an asset to this community, and the city of Jax. They do an AWESOME job of making that place work. As a plus, I live a half a block away, and they are great neighbors.

I hope whoever ends up in the old Main St Bakery location can build a relationship with them so that they can play off each other. It would be nice to have a good grouping of business there with Shanty, and the record/bike stores in the old darty car building.

[gatorback]

ian is uber cool.  i like hanging out at TSi whenever ian books bands there.  he brings music to jacksonville often times that would not find their way here.  thanks ian.

[triclops i]

Man, thanks guys. We are working hard to serve ya'll, and feedback like this helps us know we are doing allright!

We are hosting the SAMBA meeting April 10th, looking forward to "showing off" the place to all the members.

Really super good laid back jazz with Von Barlows Jazz Journey on April 12th and 25th. Hope to serve you all a pint soon!

Thanks again- we are flattered this thread got restarted a year later!

Ian- Marianne- Nunchux- Tex- Dylan- and John H.

[David]

Ian & maryanne's training from working their days at the LB are showing through! Just watch out for numnuts, that dog will mount your dog in a heartbeat! But it does make for good entertainment around the campfire.

Oh and P.S. Ian/Maryanne (It's david (ramajama's David) ) Maybe post some updates on metrojax about your other project off state street when you can? Inquiring minds want to know!

[downtownparks]

Good Call Tony. I was wondering that just yesterday!

[thelakelander]

Oh and P.S. Ian/Maryanne (It's david (ramajama's David) ) Maybe post some updates on metrojax about your other project off state street when you can? Inquiring minds want to know!

interesting....

[triclops i]

Damn you Dave!

I can confirm at this point there is another project in the works, however I cannot yet be specific for legal reasons... look for an "official" announcment in the next few months as the construction comes along...

and leave it at that for now!

I

[David]

alrighty sir, i'll leave it at that for now, i can't remember much of what you tell me anyway because you've been erasing my memory banks since 2002, but hey! I'm grateful