Seville Quarter's 50th

Seville Quarter

Turns 50

VOL. I

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA • AUGUST 6, 2017

NO. 1

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT ICON

THROWS BIG

ANNIVERSARY BASH

Pensacola Landmark Plans Festive Golden Jubilee WILMER MITCHELL

President, Rosie O’Grady’s, Inc. It all began in the summer of 1967. With $1,100, his horn and his heart a young trumpet player, fresh out of the Navy, named Bob Snow started the revitalization of Downtown Pensacola. With a dream of opening a saloon in downtown Pensacola he put together a band of accomplished Dixieland musicians and leased the Old Pensacola Cigar and Tobacco Warehouse at 130 East Government Street. That building, like most in the neighborhood, was unoccupied and dilapidated.

This energetic entrepreneur assembled a team of workers and with hard work and sweat equity “Rosie O’Grady’s Warehouse” was born.

Thankfully local merchants sold equipment at very low prices and the Citizens & Peoples Bank provided the only bank financing available.

1967-2017

Against all odds the building was ready to open for business by August 1967. There was no real advertising, but the people of Pensacola were eager to see if this dream would succeed.

On opening night the room was packed with over 300 people while 300 or more were waiting outside. Then Rosie O’Grady’s was christened.

The house lights were fully dimmed. Virtuoso Banjo player, Tutie Lockhart sat on a stool illuminated by a single spot light. Smoothly and softly he began to strum: “Dear One, the World is waiting for the Sunrise”. The audience was transfixed by his melodic expertise. Tutie followed with two more beautifully rendered numbers which the quiet patrons fully enjoyed.

Then the magic began! A trumpet blared a loud alert. The spotlights turned to the north end of the room where Bob Snow stood on the stair landing backed by his Dixieland band.

They marched down the stairs and into the room blasting out “The Bourbon Street Parade”.

The crowd stood up cheering. Snow led a fast march around the room and many excited fans joined the march for a second circle. The band took the stage and played Dixieland tunes without stopping. Bob and other vocalists sang out other great hits. And “When the Saints Go Marching In” was belted out everybody sang along and marched along snake dancing round the room with the band.

The show went on until closing time. If anybody left, their place was immediately taken by others who had waited to get in. I was there all evening and I have never seen a crowd so enthusiastic and happy. They would not sit down or stop singing and dancing – in the aisles and on the tables. It was a pleasurable night I’ll never forget. The popcorn and peanut emporium that would evolve into Seville Quarter was such a success that Bob Snow went to the C&P Bank the following Monday and paid off his loan in full.

Look Inside for Details

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Yesterday’s Seville Historical Timeline Grand Opening of Rosie O’Grady’s Warehouse, August 16, 1967

1967

An early write-up described the scene: In Rosie’s, you find old timey silent films with such stars as Charlie Chaplin and W. C. Fields.

You’ll find the twangy, happy sound of banjos.

And sing-a-longs. The words are flashed on a screen and when the banjos begin plucking away, it’ll take a real music hater to keep from singing along with those nostalgic melodies! But most of all there’s the great sound of Dixieland music. And what music! “This music makes me go,” says a college gal when the Dixie Racing & Marching Society Band opens up. “Something happens inside — and whammo!”

Today the magic continues with the Duelling Piano Show ~ hand clapping, toe tapping Good Time sing-a-long party that attracts all ages.

Rosie’s Dixieland Band

1971

Lili Marlene’s Aviator’s Pub, March 1971

“A place where Truth will never interfere with a Good Flying Story.”

Vintage photos and model planes contribute to the Pub’s historic décor. The bar is from the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. The building that houses Lili’s and Fast Eddies Pool Hall was the Pensacola Printing Company the original home of the Pensacola News Journal.

She is a popular entertainment mecca featuring Blues on Monday, Jazz on Tuesday, live music Friday and Saturday with Karaoke the rest of the week.

1972

End O’ the Alley Courtyard, 1972 Across the back of Seville Quarter is the EOA Courtyard, a popular Happy Hour gathering place for tourists and local alike. The open air bar has been dubbed “Wounded Knee”. The cozy End O’ the Alley Bar features more than 15 craft beers on tap. It is truly where “everyone knows your name”.

1973

Palace Oyster Bar, 1973

The bar and back bar were built in the early 1800s and come from the Palace Hotel – the first liquor license in the State of Florida. The majestic french doors are from the old Italian Hall in New Orleans. The stools are from the Wisteria Café’ and date back to 1870. Now known as the Palace Café’ the eclectic American menu has something for everyone. Highly recommended is Aunt Jessie’s Seafood Gumbo, a family secret for decades. With an extensive menu of hand crafted coffees and teas the Café’ is a popular morning gathering spot for Pensacola’s most colorful citizens. The Beignets are said to outshine the ones served at the Café’ de Monde.

1973

Apple Annie’s Courtyard, 1973

A popular venue for Weddings, Class Reunions and Business gatherings this room is enchanting with its soaring skylights and adjoining courtyard with a gas-lit fountain reminiscent of Pat O’Brien’s. The great trusses are from the ballroom of the Casino Pensacola Beach’s first tourist attraction. The stone eagle above the inside fountain came from the Chicago Benevolent Order of the Eagles Building. The stately doors leading to the courtyard are from New Orlean’s Ursuline Convent. On weekends patrons enjoy the best of Pensacola’s eclectic music scene.

1978

Phineas Phogg’s Balloon Works, 1978

Named after Phileas Fogg from “Around the World in 80 Days”. The second floor gondolas are named for many of the Hot Air Balloons from the book. Phineas is a tribute to long time friend and balloonist Joe Kittinger. Phineas is Pensacola’s party headquarters featuring high energy dance music with a state-of-the-art light show. The focal point of the room is the giant brass sailing balloon hand crafted by workers at Bob Snow’s Church Street Station in Orlando.

Ironically the D.J. booth was once a pulpit in London. Seville Quarter proudly uses Phineas Phogg’s to host Pensacola’s most popular charity and lucrative charity events.

Tragically in the early morning hours of August 17, 1981 a malfunctioning air purifier caught fire causing a quarter of a million dollars in damages. In February of 1982, after a $350,000 “facelift” which included a 1,400 square foot addition the dance club reopened.

Fire forces the closing of Phineas Phogg’s, August 1981 Tragically in the early morning hours of August 17, 1981 a malfunctioning air purifier caught fire causing a quarter of a million dollars in damages.

Re-opening of Phineas Phogg’s, February 1982 In February of 1982, after a $350,000 “facelift” which included a 1,400 square foot addition the dance club reopened.

Founding of the Jazz Society of Pensacola, December 1982

By late 1982 the original popcorn, peanuts and Dixieland Emporium was not nearly as popular as other areas of the seven room entertainment complex. Founder, Bob Snow opted to close the room for a major renovation. “Rosie’s needs a breath of fresh air and that’s what we are going to give her.” Seven months and more than $300,000 later Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium reopened. To this day she is the Heart and Soul of Seville Quarter – the Grand Dame of Downtown.

1983

Re-opening of Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium, February 1983

1980 1981 1982 1982

Seville Quarter named an “Official” State Attraction, 1980

The Rebirth of Seville Quarter, December 1988 On November 23, 1988, Bob Snow’s longtime attorney and friend Wilmer Mitchell announced a lease/purchase agreement with Snow and operate it as a “Family Affair” with his five sons, his daughter, his wife and other family members. After approximately $60k in initial costs several of the rooms reopened on December 16, 1988. Complete renovations and renewals took over a year and several hundred thousand dollars. Much like the opening in 1967 is was created from a dream and lots of heart.

Creation of the Duelling Piano Show, 2002

Opening of Heritage Hall special event facility, 2003

1997 2002 2003

The Blues Society of NW Florida was founded, 1997

1988

In the late 1970s and early 1980s Bob Snow devoted much of his attention to Church Street Station in Orlando and he began seeking a buyer for the lucrative Pensacola operation. Unfortunately without his drive, vision and attention to excellent the interim owners were not successful in sustaining the Entertainment Complex. Snow continued with his desire to “get Seville Quarter into the hands of competent operators who know the business and have the money to make it into the institution it once was.”

Night Club and Bar Magazine Top 100, 2010

2017

Rosie O’Grady’s Jubilee Gala, August 16, 2017

2010

In 2010 Pensacola’s favorite and longest lasting Nightclub was given this exclusive award.to the 2010 Nightclub & Bar Top 100!! This places Seville Quarter among the largest and most successful nightclubs, bars and lounges in the nation. Seville Quarter is one of the venues setting the trends, drawing the crowds and growing sales even in some challenging times.

The Mitchell family thanked everyone in Pensacola and on the Gulf Coast for supporting “Your” hometown Nightclub for the last 42 years. It is about time that the nation took notice what the locals in Pensacola already knew!

ANNIVERSARY

CALENDAR FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

MONDAY, AUGUST 14

Jubilee Celebration Kick-off

Membership Appreciation Night

Jazz Brunch with Kathy Lyon and Friends

Blues Society rolls back the Clock

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

Vince Vance and the Valients Jazz Night with Geno & Guests

Rosie O’Grady’s 50th Birthday

Good Time Gang Reunion

Seville Quarter Gallery Night

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

DJ Showcase (potentially featuring Tony Allen)

Brunch with the sounds of Charlie Cetti and the 1st City Dixieland Jazz Band

Pensacola Jazz Gumbo presents Dixieland

BE A PJ-SPAD0718110420

EVENTS

AUGUST

PART OF THE

MEMORIES

SevilleQuarter.com 130 E Government St Pensacola

Memories of Seville

Remembering the Good Times My family and I are excited about restoring and re-opening Seville Quarter. We know it will take plenty of hard work on our part as well as the full support of the City and County, the media and local citizens. We pledge to do our part and hope everyone will join us in our efforts to make Seville Quarter a success again.”

— Wilmer H. Mitchell November 23, 1988

The Roof, The Roof, The Roof is on fire!

Seville is a special place in the hearts of so many.

For many decades “The Good Time Gang” has not only shown a great time to millions but it has been a place of higher learning. To be old an wise you first have to be young and stupid and Seville was certainly the place I did that and loved it. Life would not be the same without Rosie’s.

When I count my blessings I count Rosie’s twice.

— Tony Allen, former Disc Jockey

What happened in

1967

• Median Household Income (current dollars) was $7,143.

• Unemployment was 3.8 percent.

• A first class stamp cost a nickel.

• Dr. Christian Barnard and a team of South African surgeons perform the world’s first successful heart transplant.

My years as a singing, dancing waiter at Rosie’s were some of my best!

I was fortunate enough to work with talented musicians and build lasting friendships with the rest of the Seville Quarter staff. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything! —Tim Banfell

It’ll last as long as Pensacola wants it” says band leader Snow “and that, no doubt, will be a long, long time.”

— Bob Snow October 1, 1967

The Good Time Gang An establishment is only as good as the people that work there and the “Good Time Gang” at Seville Quarter have made it the premier entertainment and dining complex in Northern Florida.

This team of loyal, long term employees is led by a family of dedicated hands-on owners. The president of Rosie O’Grady’s, Inc. is Wilmer Mitchell, a native Pensacolian. He was Bob Snow’s attorney even before Rosie’s opened in 1967. He is joined in the venture by his family. Oldest son, Jack Williams is the General Manager; daughter Louise “Weezie” Carlson is the Treasurer; Doug Mitchell is the Vice President of Operations; Buck Mitchell is the Entertainment and Marketing Director; Scott

Mitchell and Clifton Mitchell are complex Managers; son-in-law Bill Carlson is the Purchasing Manager as well as the resident wine expert and daughter-inlaw Leigh Mitchell handles the Human Resource Department and special event decorations.

Seville Quarter is the pride of Pensacola and of the Mitchell family. They are devoted to providing each guest with the highest level of customer service as outline in “the Five F’s.”

Fine quality products served in a Friendly atmosphere with Fast service at a Fair price in a Family Business

• Congress creates the Public Broadcasting Service.

Happy 50th Anniversary to WSRE! • Rolling Stone magazine debuted.

• The Emmy for Best Comedy Series was won by “The Monkeys.”

• Grammys awarded to:

Record of the Year:

Strangers in the Night –

Frank Sinatra

Album of the Year:

Sinatra: A Man and his Music

Song of the Year:

Michelle – John Lennon

and Paul McCartney • Five Flags Speedway opened.

Caricature by Tim Banfell

Seville Quarter’s

Past, Present and Future Darn tootin’ good time, since 1967 KELLY MACLEOD

Special to Pensacola News Journal

Imagine the sound of a trumpet floating Dixieland jazz music through the air, joined by a rhythm section that could blow the roof off a place. Add in some beer, peanuts and a turn of the century style saloon and you are transported to the 1967 opening of Rosie O’Grady’s Goodtime Emporium.

Bob Snow opened Seville Quarter in August of 1967 with a horn, a lot of gumption and $1,100. Oh and there was a small loan from local Citizens and People’s National Bank, but that was paid back three days after opening.

The $1,100 came from his Navy pay and the sale of his car and shotgun collection.

Current owner, Wilmer Mitchell, was there alongside Snow from the beginning and helped him get that first loan. Mitchell was Snow’s lawyer, advisor and friend.

Snow perhaps did not have a lot of business experience, but he had a lot of passion, talent and a good idea that he was willing to work hard to bring to fruition.

“There was no publicity, just word of mouth. He didn’t even have a cash register, just a cigar box. But there were so many people outside waiting the night we opened,” remembers Mitchell, “that we didn’t know what to do.

We could only let people in after someone else left. It went on ‘til 2 a.m.”

Snow was a Minnesota native who landed in Pensacola via the Navy. He was a talented trumpet player, leader of a Dixieland band and he had the ability to see the potential of a good time bar with good music as well

as the potential of downtown Pensacola.

The birthplace of Seville Quarter was Rosie O’Grady’s – the first room opened by Snow in the bustling entertainment complex.

Snow rented the old Pensacola Cigar and Tobacco Company, a run down warehouse on East Government Street that was built in 1871. Not only did Snow have passion for music and his idea for a goodtime saloon, he also had an eye for repurposing unique and valuable pieces of other buildings – always seeking to maintain authenticity and historical aspects.

The entrance to Rosie’s is a door from a Mobile

mansion and the other doorway is from a townhouse in England. When Rosie’s first opened, it had concrete floors and little detail. After some time, Snow added in the distinctive wordwork, pressed tin ceiling and other details still in place today.

Snow eventually bought the building that housed Rosie’s and also bought the building next door, which previously housed the Pensacola Printing Co. and was the original home of the Pensacola News Journal, and opened up Lili Marlene World War I Aviator’s Pub in 1971.

“It was decorated in World War I and Red Baron and Jimmy Doolittle - had airplanes from the World War I era. North of that he turned into a food and beverage space,” says Mitchell.

Mitchell handled the building acquisitions remembering, “It was fun.”

Snow eventually sold Seville Quarter and moved on to other ventures in Orlando and Las Vegas.

Wilmer Mitchell bought the entertainment complex in 1988 and continues running it today along with his entire family. The handson owners continue to provide a high level of customer service, a community focus and dedication to downtown Pensacola.

Seville Quarter today – something for everyone Seville Quarter has seven rooms – each with its own personality while also managing to be a cohesive part of the entertainment complex. It is a special place that dominated downtown Pensacola’s social scene long before downtown was hot.

Bob Snow opened Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium in 1967. Snow, and current owner Wilmer Mitchell, have added the other rooms over the years and even connected multiple buildings, creating one entertainment and dining complex with a history as rich as Pensacola.

A SPECIAL PLACE

A place like Seville Quarter does not last for 50 years without becoming something bigger than itself.

It is a community and family affair – and not just because of the many members of the Mitchell family who work together to continue providing a fun, comfortable and unique experience to locals and tourists. The family and loyal staff, also known as “The Good Time Gang,” are committed to providing the five “Fs”: Fine quality products served in a Friendly atmosphere with Fast service at a Fair Price in a Family Business.

“We have the best staff in downtown Pensacola,” claims entertainment director Buck Mitchell. “We have people that have been with us for over 25 years.”

They even have team members return after life took them to other parts of the country.

“I met my wife there – and that’s a common thing.

You’ll find a lot of people met their spouse at Rosie O’Grady’s. A lot of relationships started there and probably a few broke up there,” says Gil Carmichael who began as a doorman in 1976 and worked his way up to general manager. Carmichael left in 1985 and lived in Chicago for several years. He has returned to partner with the Mitchells on the latest, upcoming addition to Seville.

“You’re not going to find another business that has stayed this intact and this true to its beginning for this long, with its doors still open. It’s a testament to the fact that Seville Quarter and Rosie’s is bigger than itself and it always has been,” says Carmichael.

Not only do team members return, some just can’t bring themselves to leave. Legend has it that bartender Wesley Gibbs went into the walk-in cooler to beat the heat and suffered a heart attack and died. His ghost has been seen walking the halls of Seville Quarter.

The building that now houses Rosie O’Grady’s was once a central part of Pensacola’s red light district. What is now the upstairs Seville office is rumored to have been used as a brothel. More than one Seville employee has

seen female ghosts in the offices. Whether these stories are true or not, they all add to the rich history and predominant place Seville has in Pensacola.

A WALK THROUGH SEVILLE

Open seven nights a week, Seville has something for everyone.

Rosie O’Grady’s, the birthplace of Seville, began with Dixieland Jazz and now features dueling pianos and the Flaming Hurricane drink.

“Our dueling piano show is so much fun – locals and tourists love coming to that,” says Buck Mitchell.

“It is a great atmosphere, it’s sing-along and interactive - you see people just genuinely having a good time in there,” continues general manager Jack Williams.

The alley next to Rosie’s, which has chandeliers that Snow found in the attic of the old American National Bank, leads to the End of the Alley Bar and the gas lit courtyard with a fountain and featuring live, acoustic music from folk trios to rock to Jamaican steel bands and reggae. The iron fencing and gates were also once part of the American National Bank. The marquees in the alley are from the old Saenger Theater and the gas lights are from Liverpool, England.

Across the alley from Rosie O’Grady’s is the entrance to Lili Marlene’s World War I Aviator’s Pub with lighting fixtures from a mansion in Atlanta. The World War I pub is a favorite gathering place for professionals and business people.

Just north of Lili Marlene’s, the swinging doors are the entrance to Fast Eddie’s Billiard Parlor. There are old ship doors and wheels from old Liberty Ships, chandeliers from England, flooring from Mobile and cypress doors from New Orleans. One cannot enter this popular pool room without becoming enthralled by the walls covered in photos and mementos from famous and local celebrities and athletes.

Fast Eddie’s then leads to Apple Annie’s Courtyard, a popular indoor courtyard with a stone eagle from Chicago, chandeliers and glass doors from New Orleans

and great trusses from the original Casino on Pensacola Beach.

The Palace Café, just south of Apple Annie’s, has an eclectic menu that includes the family’s secret gumbo recipe. There is more décor from New Orleans and stools that date back to 1870.

The west alleyway entrance has doors from an old governor’s mansion in New Orleans and leads to the popular Phineas Phoggs Balloon Works that has a DJ booth that was a pulpit from London and is a high energy dance room that is especially popular on Thursday’s college night.

“Our younger customers can’t wait to turn 18 to start coming on college night – they’ve seen the past come here and they want to be part of the present and they are the future,” says Buck Mitchell.

History, fun and pieces of New Orleans abound throughout Seville Quarter. There is truly something for everyone.

The commitment to excellence and progress continues. A storage closet in front of the Palace Café has been converted into a wine shop where Williams says you can “get wine you won’t get anywhere else - affordably priced and unique.”

Football games are always fun to watch at Seville and a few college fan clubs call Seville their Pensacola home.

The many rooms are available for parties, events, dinners and meetings. The Seville Rotary meets in Rosie O’Grady’s on Tuesday evenings.

Apple Annie’s plays host to events such as wine dinners that Williams says “are different than your usual wine dinners. We recently had a Spanish Wine Dinner with long, family-style tables.”

There is also a wine festival in November, a Marine run in September, a fire truck pull, the Seafood Festival run, a steak cook-off in October and Jambalaya cook off.

“There’s always something going on,” says Williams.

The business and family are committed to downtown Pensacola.

“The last five to six years downtown has come to life – we are very excited to help bring people to downtown,” says Buck Mitchell. “Downtown Pensacola is going crazy and the Studer property is about to open next to us and the new YMCA is here. We are excited about having a bunch of neighbors and we want to be the neighborhood bar where people walk in and are recognized and appreciated. ”We appreciate our partnership with Pensacola – they have taken to Seville Quarter and we hope to have another great 50 years.”

Tomorrow’s Seville - A “steak” in Pensacola’s future

Seville Quarter is already a multi-room entertainment complex, having added on various areas and services throughout the years.

The Wilmer Mitchell family’s entertainment empire is set to grow now that they’ve started construction on the building they own across the street. The new venture may not yet have a name ready to be revealed, but it does have a clear vision.

“Our concept is to be an iconic steakhouse, a la New York or Chicago,” said project manager Gil Carmichael.

“And, of course, being on the Gulf Coast, we can’t just sell steaks. It’s more of a steak and seafood restaurant.”

The Mitchells have owned the 140-year old building for over 10 years and have decided that now is the time to renovate and expand the space. They convinced Carmichael, who previously worked at Seville from 1976 to 1985, to leave Chicago and return to Pensacola and to the Seville family.

“We are retro fitting the space to be a similar style

as Seville Quarter, but you will know it’s a steakhouse,” says Jack Williams, a member of the Mitchell family and general manger of Seville Quarter.

The building has been a grocery, an office building, a pharmacy and the Escambia County Administrative Offices. Mitchell had previously rehabbed the exterior to preserve the historical architecture.

The steakhouse will have two levels, with an elevator, and will comfortably seat over 150 dining customers.

The interior will have a similar look and feel as Seville Quarter with a lot of brick and rich wood, sprinkled with some Seville Quarter-type antiques.

“Seville is still in its prime and we feel that the Pensacola market is ripe for another high quality, independent restaurant – now is the time,” says Carmichael, who is excited to have returned to Pensacola. “Coming back it’s great seeing how mature and even sophisticated Pensacola is today. The town is much cooler than it ever was - which is one of the things that brought my

wife and I back to Pensacola to partner with the Mitchells on this endeavor.”

With its 50th anniversary approaching, Seville has proven it can stand the test of time and the team expects to do the same with the steakhouse.

“People like steakhouses, and they go back,” says Wilmer Mitchell.

Today’s Seville - The People Making it Possible

Thank You To Our Sponsors,We Look Forward To Many More Years!

Looking forward to another 50 years of partnership!

Congratulations to Seville Quarter for serving Pensacola 50 years and for being a “Trend Setter” for the future!

Congratulations on 50 years from our family to yours!

JONES

FLOORING CENTER Congratulations on providing 50 years of fun for Pensacola! Wishing you continued success for the next 50!

PJ-0000396915

Kane

& Sherman, P.A.

Certified Public Accountants Happy 50th Birthday to “The Good Time Gang!” Here’s to 50 more!

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