Posted: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 9:15 pm
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Updated: 9:15 pm, Wed Feb 5, 2014.
Northwest Missourian
Have an extra $347,000 in a bank account? If so, you may be the newest owner of one of Maryville’s most popular bars.
That’s right, the Palms is up for sale. Not the world-famous hotel in Las Vegas, but Paul Thompson’s bar and grill that he has run since 2000.
The Palms, which was originally built in 1912 to host a bottling company, was converted to a bar shortly after Prohibition ended in 1937. The bar has gained the reputation as the “Buchanan Street Library” by many Northwest alumni because of their frequent late nights of “studying” at the local watering hole.
Paul Thompson bought the business in 2000 so he could move back to Maryville. Thompson graduated from Northwest in 1988 and loves getting to know alumni as they stumble in as football season rolls around.
“I bought the Palms mainly because I wanted to move back to Maryville, be my own boss and own my own business,” Thompson said. “The best part of running the Palms would have to be meeting all the people. The fall semester during football season is probably my favorite time of the year just because of that. I can’t count how many hundreds of alumni I have met over the years.”
Thompson said he is putting the bar up for sale because he wants to switch gears and do something a little different.
I have always wanted to own a restaurant, and I’ve got a passion for barbecue,” Thompson said. “Selling one business would give me the capital to start a new venture and time to focus on it. If I put things together, I would like to start a barbecue concession and catering business someday.”
As the Maryville City Council weighs in on various alcohol ordinances, rumors have begun to swirl around about that being the reason for the Palms becoming available to own by United Country-Twaddle Realty, Inc. Though Thompson has pondered selling the bar for a while, he said he would be lying if that wasn’t the case, though it is only a small factor.
“I did support the 21-year age requirement, but as far as the rest of the city’s comprehensive alcohol plan, I disagree with a lot of it,” Thompson said. “I don’t think that it is their place to legislate morality under the guise of a health problem or tell small business owners how to run their businesses. I think that there is too big of a generation gap between the council and the student body for them to fully grasp the realities of college life today.
“Do we need more rules and ordinances just for the sake of making more rules and ordinances? The answer is no.”
The Palms is also home to the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Thompson feels the city’s traditions, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, will be limited by the ordinances.
“How will it be feasible to police the Homecoming Parade without activating my National Guard unit?” Thompson said. “My suggestion is how about a compromise and instituting some type of public intoxication law to take care of the troublemakers and not ruin what is not broke for 98 percent of the people.” Thompson also suggested the city get together with the owners of each bar to discuss opinions, which has not been done.
Bryan Twaddle, owner of Twaddle Realty Inc., says the Palms has interested many people since it was listed for sale.
“There’s probably been 10 people interested, and I’ve sent more information to four or five of them,” Twaddle said. He has shown the bar to multiple people but did not make it clear how close it was to being sold.
As the bar prepares to possibly receive new owners, Thompson hopes to hand his keys to an enthusiastic owner who will continue Maryville’s traditions.
“I would love to see somebody come in and with enthusiasm and carry on the traditions that the Palms has been known for throughout the years,” Thompson said. “I hope that the next owner supports Northwest athletics and also enjoys talking to and meeting new and old alumni as much as I do.”
More about Palms
- COLLECTION: Palms’ World Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
More about Bar
- ARTICLE: Pub reconstruction underway
More about Alcohol
- ARTICLE: City must consider impact of new alcohol ordinances
- ARTICLE: Your Man needs you to make him an alcoholic beverage
- YOUTUBE: Campus Talk: Underage drinking in local bars
- ARTICLE: Minor, alcohol charges continue to rise
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 9:15 pm.
Updated: 9:15 pm.
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