New bar is a five minute walk away Unwinders owner adjusts to business close to campus
Photos by Ali Destrempe Locals enjoy conversation and drinks at Unwinders Thursday evening.
By Michelle Chapdelaine Staff Writer
At the door, a sign reminds drinkers to have a designated driver. For St. Michael’s students who have visited the Unwinders bar and grill since returning to campus, having a designated driver is not an issue—it is a five minute walk from campus.
Gail Stypick opened Unwinders next to Dunkin’ Donuts on Vermont 15, on Jan. 2.
Stypick said she expected the recent surge of college-aged customers, but she still felt it has been overwhelming.
“Students tend to come out later in the evening, but I’m only open to midnight and I’m dead set against staying open any later,” Stypick said. “I am still learning. This type of crowd is a new experience for me.”
Stypick is no stranger to the business. She owned a bar in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in the mid-80s and later worked as a bartender at the American Legion, where Unwinders is now located, before it closed in 2006.
Stypick liked the location, and bought it when she was ready for a change, she said.
“The building needed a lot of work between when I bought it in October and we opened in January,” Stypick said.
Before 9 p.m. on a Thursday evening, Unwinders is mostly empty aside from half a dozen locals. Senior Brett Ponejolic said in a few hours, St. Michael’s students would likely fill the bar.
“Last Thursday was crazy,” Ponejolic said. “It was all St. Mike’s kids. It’s pretty good, and safer because we don’t have to drive.”
As word has spread among students about the new bar, there has also been talk of minors being served there.
“We do card,” Stypick said. “I will not take a chance with this. When we opened, we didn’t. We didn’t need to. There weren’t many students here yet.”
A bouncer checks IDs at the door in the evenings. However, as Unwinders is also a restaurant, customers do not have to be 21 to enter, Stypick said.
Dean of Students Michael Samara said he has heard good things about Stypick through conversations with students and staff.
“From what I understand, she’s trying to run a good establishment,” Samara said.
The college’s staff and security are aware that minors are potentially being served at Unwinders, he said.
“We’re keeping an eye on it from afar,” Samara said. “I’m hoping students will use their best judgment.”
Director of Safety and Security Peter Soons said he can see the benefit of having an off-campus location within walking distance.
Soons doesn’t see the bar as a bad thing, as it creates an option for students of age to go out for drinks without driving, he said.
Unwinders’ location was ideal for a senior class social last Friday, class president Kate Kozlowski said.
“Kids here are good about taking cabs or having designated drivers,” Kozlowski said. “But this is just so much more convenient for everyone.”
She jokingly referred to Unwinders as Cheers, the place where everybody knows your name, when reminding students of the senior social at last Tuesday’s Student Association meeting.
“We’ve been trying to let Unwinders staff know about the SMC schedule so we don’t overwhelm them,” Kozlowski said. “And minors using fakes is also a huge concern. The people who run Unwinders are good people; we don’t want them having any trouble.”
The possibility of minors drinking at Unwinders is a concern, Samara said. He would be more worried should the bar offer incentive nights, such as 50 cent drafts, that encourage heavy drinking.
“Alcohol in and of itself is not a bad thing,” Samara said. “Excessive drinking can have horrible outcomes, and as educator, I am more concerned about this abuse.”
