A Cruz Bay bar that’s extremely popular with residents sold Thursday afternoon. Ryan Sharkey, owner of 420 to Center, a tucked away watering hole that pays homage to the Boston Red Sox, made the announcement on Facebook Wednesday afternoon. In it, he thanked his customers for all of the love they’ve provided him over the years.
“For nearly 13 years you all have been the backbone of 420 to Center, after all, I built for us,” Sharkey wrote. “I started this thing with the mindset that it was for us, locals and transplants alike, nothing fancy just a drinker’s bar with a no bull—- attitude…and with out even trying, she became an entity all her own… and I’m pretty sure that we succeeded. I do mean ‘We.’
“We’ve been here for each other,” he continued. “I’ve heard over and over again ‘We’re here for you’ and you have been every step of the way… When it was bare bones and infantile, you were here. During and after the storms, you were here. During the closers, the health department, covid / 422 (420 Too) you were here… if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be either. Thank you all so very much…”
While we are all sad to see Sharkey go, I am excited to share that three familiar faces purchased 420 to Center. So the bar will keep on keeping on.
Laura Valente, her husband Chef Nathan Bohning and Michael Beeman are the new owners of 420 to Center. Beeman has been tending bar at 420 for the past 10 years. Laura and Chef Nathan have been working at 420 for the past several months. Prior to that, they ran Joe’s Rum Hut over on Cruz Bay beach. The three officially became owners Thursday afternoon.
The bar will be closed for the next week or two while it gets a minor facelift inside, Laura told me Thursday night. Much of the decor in the bar are Sharkey’s personal items, which he plans to take along with him. So while they do plan to spruce the space up a bit, they hope to keep some of 420’s memorabilia to remind everyone of the home they shared at 420 to Center.
Once they reopen, people can expect a small cocktail menu and expanded bar selection. In terms of food, you can expect similar items to the food Chef Nathan has been serving for the past few months. They hope to expand the kitchen as they reorganize, and will continue offering daily specials. Be sure to stop by to see what they’re cooking up!
420 to Center is located between Slim’s parking lot and the Catholic Church in Cruz Bay. The bar itself is located at the end of a small driveway.
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