CityView Magazine

32 September 2021 into food says don't do it. But I decided that if we're gonna do it, we're gonna do it well." e purchase of a used food truck, which also benefited from renovations, enabled Gibney to avoid the expense of adding a kitchen. He and Costello collaborated on a menu that will change seasonally. For now, it features french fries that are hand-cut daily, three varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches, including one that features pesto, and, of course, those fish and chips. Gibney at first had to call his mother back home in Dublin for a shipment of the traditional Oldum brand of flour. "ere are a million Irish pubs in the world. And every single one worth anything has some version of fish and chips," Gibney said. "What I wanted was a small menu with everything done very well." Gibney attributes the impetus for many of the changes to Corona's creativity and smarts, so much so that he made her a partner over the past year. Never mind that it requires quite a bit of convincing to coax the so-spoken Corona into so much as having her photo taken. "To be honest many of the things happening here, she's the driving force behind them," Gibney said. "She's the one who gets things done." Tammy Simmons, another longtime friend who is helping Gibney and Corona with marketing, said plans are in the works to allow local artists to display their wares, even to the point of replacing things that are currently on display. Aer all, Gibney certainly has proven he's not afraid to make changes, to try something different. Nor is he afraid of uncertainty. "e pandemic gave us a chance at a do-over," he said. "When you're in a situation like that, it knocks you down. First of all, you have to get back up. You can't control a pandemic or arbitrary unjust laws. But you can control your attitude, your outlook, your work ethic. "We've all grown here, and we've become better human beings," he said. "Not just a better bar." Paddy's Irish Pub, at 2606 Raeford Rd. Suite B, is open Wednesday though Friday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Menu items are between $8 and $17. Wine is available in addition to featured cocktails. Call 910-568-5654. paddysirishpub.com When it rains, When it rains, IT DRAINS! IT DRAINS! (910) 433-1613 www.fayettevillenc.gov/stormwater

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