2008 Woodie Awards
'Blue Gator'-aid
Restaurant changes to Cajun-style with a little help from the owner
By: Samantha Gasco
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: News
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But a new New Orleans-themed restaurant in Mount Pleasant takes its roots instead from a 30-year-old English bar.
Owner Richard Swindlehurst and his family recently transformed Sir Richard's Pub into the The Blue Gator Sports Pub and Grill, a Gulf Coast-inspired sports pub and grill.
"Even though we are the only business of this kind in the area, I think we compete with everyone including fast food," Swindlehurst said. "If customers are going somewhere else, that means they aren't here."
The Blue Gator, located at 106 N. Court St., was inspired by the popularity of a Cajun restaurant in the small tourist town of Elk Rapids.
Swindlehurst, a Mount Pleasant resident, said a specialty restaurant can be a big risk, but he thinks the bigger area will only help him.
"After Hurricane Katrina and so much talk about New Orleans, we thought, 'why not put a major Cajun restaurant in Mount Pleasant?'" he said.
Mount Pleasant resident Shawn Taylor, who has worked at the bar since it opened three decades ago, said he has noticed the crowd is growing and becoming more diverse.
"We've only been open for three weeks and a lot of people say they've heard of us by word-of-mouth," Taylor said.
Swindlehurst said the Blue Gator is different from the pub because it features a full menu of spicy and exotic dishes with the exception of the popular pub burger that has been a favorite.
"Having food brings in a mixed crowd; we get a lot of downtown business during the day, and a heavy student population at night and on the weekends," he said.
The Blue Gator now features modern designs and 17 plasma screen TVs.
In order to live out some New Orleans traditions, the Blue Gator will host a Mardi Gras party every Tuesday featuring drink specials and specialty beers. There also is an outdoor bar and sitting area. Live entertainment on the first Friday of every month will be start in December.
"We are different and unique for the area and hopefully people will catch on," he said.
The bar/restaurant already has hosted special events and parties for students and organizations, including a date auction by one of CMU's sororities last weekend, Taylor said.
Swindlehurst, who also established Cheers, The Brass Café and Shaboom Pub, said he is looking to retire soon and have his son take over the business.
Mount Pleasant junior Richard Swindlehurst Jr. said having a different business can be risky, but he thinks people will like what they have to offer.
"If this turns out to be a successful business, eventually I would like to open in other college towns throughout lower Michigan," he said.
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