- October 2, 2021
- Posted by: Stratford Team
- Category: Business
ERIE, Colo. — A warm and powerful cheer filled the air as the doors opened at Miners Tavern on Homecoming Day, just one day before the owners shut down the bar indefinitely.
The tavern has been around for nearly a century, but it didn’t survive the pandemic.
Mark Rockwell, the co-owner of the tavern, bought the bar in November 2019, just four months before the pandemic swept the nation. The latest decision to shut down on Saturday marks the third closure, and he believes this time it could be permanent.
“It is soul-crushing to have to tell these people, ‘sorry, you don’t have a job anymore,’” Rockwell said.
Miners Tavern opened in 1926 in downtown Erie, a coal mining town. At the time, it was home to more than 40 bars and restaurants. The bar serves up beer, fries and what locals call one of the best burgers in town.
“It’s a landmark and the best burger around, and it’s just always been a homey spot to hang,” Nancy Dekoin said.
Dekoin…
