After a bumpy little ride the last few weeks, Shamrock Irish Pub owner Mike VonPlinsky (right) is proud to announce Mike Hotz (left) as his new general manager of the facility. Hotz already began renovating the building, from fresh new paint, tile and furniture to parking lot re-grading and energy-saving equipment. Plan on a grand reopening party very soon. Photo by VANDY MAJOR.

After a bumpy little ride the last few weeks, Mike VonPlinsky and his Shamrock Irish Pub are looking forward to reopening this weekend under new management after a series of internal and external rejuvenation.

“The Shamrock Pub Ownership Group is excited to welcome Mike Hotz as our new GM,” said pub owner Mike VonPlinsky. “Mike (Hotz) is a well-known, respected and liked member of the Beach neighborhood.”

VonPlinsky spoke of a previous pub tenant.

“Knowing the issues we had with my past pub tenant, Clark Youngs, Mike (Hotz) approached me to show his interest in being the next tenant, and things quickly fell into place. Youngs had already given us his 30-day notice to terminate his lease early, which we accepted. But, despite even giving Youngs an extra period of time to allow him to do a final party on Saturday of the (Memorial Day) holiday weekend, he decided to leave in the middle of the night after his party in a very dishonest, destructive and vindictive manner. So be it we’re excited to welcome Mike (Hotz) to a new, more positive period for the Shamrock.”

Hotz was eager to comment on his new Beach spot.

“This will be my fourth bar second on the Beach. I was at the Beach Pub before Karen and Paul (Stott),” he said. “I’m glad to be coming back to the Beach.”

Many locals were happy to hear of Mike Hotz’s new move to the Shamrock as well.

“Mike Hotz? Oh yeah, he’s a great guy! We’ll definitely be going back to the Shamrock now,” said an eager Beach local.

Upon first moving into one of the oldest pubs on the beach (if not the oldest), Hotz already began making over the interior retiling and repainting going for a burgundy and tan color scheme along with ripping out all the old furniture and replacing it with new. He’s also saving energy by setting up ice troughs and an ice machine, and re-grading the parking lot with mixed shells and dirt, almost like concrete, thus abolishing “Lake Shamrock” and the other pesky holes in the lot.

“Mike (Hotz) already started several improvement projects to do a much-needed facelift, especially given the condition Youngs left the place.” Mike VonPlinsky said. ” And, he’s working with our beer distributors to replace the entire set of wall neons and signs taken by Youngs, who even took old signs that had been in the Pub since I bought it five years ago!”

VonPlinsky plans to reopen the updated pub this weekend, looking forward to a grand reopening party some time in the near future.

“By the way, since the Pub’s well-known “ring hook” game also disappeared during Youngs’ unseemly exodus, the ring donated to the pub by their oldest regular Rocky some 15 or more years ago, anyone knowing where Mike can find another ring should ‘swing’ by the pub with the info!”

Updates on the Shamrock

property’s rebuilding plans

VonPlinsky said, “the Shamrock Pub Ownership Group is still aggressively working on the new property planned now for more than years. But, like many commercial projects here and around the country, they were slammed by the current credit crisis and can’t yet get their construction funding.

“We had finally worked our way through the county and town approval process and got our building permits last August. Then, just when we started seeking construction funding, the entire country got nailed by the credit crisis. Luckily, I have been able to keep talks going with my mortgage firm. They have been amazing and understanding through this tough time. We have worked out a plan to avoid foreclosure and to work together toward successfully funding my project.

“Until then, Hotz’s addition to the Shamrock family will keep the long-term FMB icon open and running smoothly.”