By Anna Skinner
Westfield has seen many business owners come and go over the years, but one has remained a constant.
Jim Pickering was an attorney at the law firm Richards, Boje, Pickering, Benner & Becker in Noblesville when he purchased a property on Park Street in 1996. The property has been the host to a variety of different restaurants, but from 2004 to now it has been fondly known as Park Street Pub. Some people may recognize it as previously being the family restaurant also owned by Pickering, Fast Freddy’s.
“A lot of guys dream of having a bar, and that’s where I’m at,” Pickering said. Recently retired, his sole focus can now be on the bar.
The building he owns has existed on Park Street since the 1970s, but the bar itself was brought in from Linton, Ind., where it was built at the turn of the century. Park Street Pub is often referred to as “the oldest bar in Westfield.”
A minor remodeling project — which provided a mini-facelift with newly painted walls, new lighting and a newly stained bar — closed the pub for three weeks. The pub reopened Aug. 17, yet much of the construction on U.S. 31 has declined business.
“We are still hanging on, but it has been difficult with the construction,” Pickering said. “We like to see things through.”
Pickering and his manager and chief bartender, Linda Monroe, said exposure has been the hardest and that many guests step into the bar claiming they never knew it has been a staple in the community since the mid ‘90s.
And although it is one of the few true, 21-plus-only bars in the city, Pickering prides himself in having a smoke-free, cozy and comfortable bar.
“It’s a neat, quiet place where guests can talk to each other comfortably without screaming over the next table or pop music,” Monroe said.
Yet despite the coziness, the pub always comes alive on game days. They have 12 large TVs, a pool table, shuffleboard table and a special room decked out in Colts décor that is open to the public on game days.
And although the Colts room is open to the public on game days, it is available to be rented out for parties as long as the guests give the pub a call a week or so in advance.
“Mine and Linda’s goal is to have (Park Street Pub) be a nice place where people are friendly and respect each other,” Pickering said. “My philosophy is we will do fine if we treat the people right.”
Pickering purchased the property with three other owners — Greg Mcdowell, Fred Parker and Gary Huffman — but he is the one that guests see at the pub. He and Monroe know guests by name and often times know their orders as well.
Another positive to Park Street Pub? It’s not a chain business.
“It’s got local flavor with all the good qualities,” Monroe said. “We are working hard to improve the image, and it’s a relaxing atmosphere.”
Park Street Pub has the unique quality to fit any crowd, Monroe said, often seeing older, laid-back folks during the week and a younger crowd on weekends.
Once business picks up, Pickering and Monroe hope to bring poker nights back on Fridays.
In addition to pool, shuffleboard, poker and TVs, Park Street Pub has drink specials and occasionally live music.
The pub is open weekdays from 4 to 10 p.m., with closing hours usually a little later on weekends. The business is currently closed on Sundays, but they plan to start opening for NFL game days Sept. 13.
“We are friendly people,” Pickering said. “We will take care of you and we live by the golden rule.”
About Park Street Pub
1996-2003: Fast Freddy’s
2004-present: Park Street Pub
Atmosphere: Described as often times quiet, friendly and relaxed. Locally known as a “cheers bar” or “the oldest bar in Westfield.”
Phone: 867-4992
Address: 515 West Park St., Westfield
