From left: Rick Ellard, 71, and his son Ricky Ellard, owners of the Crescent Inn, a bar that has been at this location on Harrison Street for 48 years.Posted photo
Lido's Crescent Inn is celebrating its 50th anniversary as its two closest competitors seek new avenues.
As owner Rick Erard says, the reason is simple. literally.
For 48 years, the bar at 141 Harrison Street has served cold drinks and hosted billiard leagues, darts competitions and live music, albeit without the “fancy trappings.”
“We're a simple bar,” said Ellard, owner and operator of the Crescent Inn. “We keep it simple. We offer billiards, darts, reasonably priced drinks and a nice atmosphere.”
Erardo and his son Ricky Erardo run the semi-famous Crescent Inn.
“When I was a teenager, I remember going into bars with my friends and drinking pop and Pepsi and playing pool and just hanging out,” Ricky Erardo said. “I love it when people come to our bar and say, 'This is not what I expected.'” People say that because we're a “dive” bar, we're dingy and mean. , we think it's going to be dirty. It wasn't. No trouble allowed in our bar. If you're found in trouble, you'll be kicked out the front door and never come back in. ”
Both Elardos attribute their company's ability to withstand the test of time to its simple product and sound management style.
“I know that people can buy a case of beer and sit at home for much less than I can sell it to them. But most of the people who come to the bar are interested in the social interaction, They come for the camaraderie, the atmosphere,” Ricky Erardo added. “We try to run our business as a family bar. I'm a social drinker and might have one or two drinks a week, but I never drink at my own bar and I I don't remember the last time I saw my father with a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
But the older Erardo had even more wisdom and wanted to add more reasons why his drinking business was so successful.
“Not only do I not drink at my bar or my own product, but I started bartending years ago when beer was about $1 a bottle.” The owner of the said he wanted to go down the street for something and asked me to work the bar. I told him I didn't know what I was doing and he asked me 5 Gave me a short lesson of 1 minute and walked away. Suddenly I was slammed and by the end of the night I had made a Singapore Sling and a mixed drink. I sold $75 worth of alcohol and the cash register was snug. He offered me a job, and the rest is history. I was honest and worked hard…I treated everyone fairly and still do. I am.”
Although this father-son duo seems like a match made in heaven, they have their differences and sometimes don't see eye to eye on things.
“When my dad went out that day, I went and bought two 50-inch TVs and a 30-inch TV. The next day he came over and I thought this was going to be a big fight. But that wasn't the case. My dad likes to keep everything the same. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But we're not a sports bar, and we're not a high-end draft or IPA bar. But you have to stay relevant and upgrade from time to time,” Ricky Erardo said. “We're one of the few bars in New York that still allows smoking. But my dad is old-school and believes that beer and cigarettes still go together. I'd like to be able to have one room where you can smoke.” I think.”
