Our week long spotlight on local businesses continues today with Patty Leneghan of Leneghan's Crusader Inn. All that holiday shopping can be exhausting! You need a place to recover with a bite to eat and a drink! Come check out this local staple. And in case you missed it, see our interviews with our previously highlighted businesses Pat's Music and Infinity Jewelers.
HOW LONG HAS LENEGHANS BEEN IN BUSINESS?
"Since 1994 here on Frankford Ave., 1992 on Red Lion rd (Sandmeyer Ln.) and 1987 on Frankford ave. (relocated to Tyson and Brous)."
ARE YOU THE PROPRIETOR OF ALL 3 LOCATIONS?
"No, just this one. My father in law had started the business when he came over from Ireland. He worked at a few bars and saved up enough money and bought his first bar. So he had the boys working for them and then the boys went out on their own and bought Red Lion Rd. and then this place. Then they separated in '96, me and Tony got this place, Kevin and Maureen got Red Lion rd. And the other brother is out of the business now."
THAT'S PRETTY COOL TO STILL HAVE A FAMILY BUSINESS, LET ALONE A CHAIN!
"Yeah, we're still around and he's (father-in-law) still around!"
WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS YOU IN BUSINESS?
"I think we have a lot of loyal customers that have been around for a long time. Some customers that come in here have been here since we opened the doors 20 years ago. I think that really helps. Although the neighborhood is changing, we still have a good group of people that still keep us afloat."
WHAT OBSTACLES WOULD YOU SAY YOU'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS?
"Just the change in clientele, the neighborhood. We've pretty much had a lot of the same employees. Employees that have worked for us for a long time. We don't go through a lot of them. So, yes, the biggest obstacle is the neighborhood."
"Since 1994 here on Frankford Ave., 1992 on Red Lion rd (Sandmeyer Ln.) and 1987 on Frankford ave. (relocated to Tyson and Brous)."
ARE YOU THE PROPRIETOR OF ALL 3 LOCATIONS?
"No, just this one. My father in law had started the business when he came over from Ireland. He worked at a few bars and saved up enough money and bought his first bar. So he had the boys working for them and then the boys went out on their own and bought Red Lion Rd. and then this place. Then they separated in '96, me and Tony got this place, Kevin and Maureen got Red Lion rd. And the other brother is out of the business now."
THAT'S PRETTY COOL TO STILL HAVE A FAMILY BUSINESS, LET ALONE A CHAIN!
"Yeah, we're still around and he's (father-in-law) still around!"
WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS YOU IN BUSINESS?
"I think we have a lot of loyal customers that have been around for a long time. Some customers that come in here have been here since we opened the doors 20 years ago. I think that really helps. Although the neighborhood is changing, we still have a good group of people that still keep us afloat."
WHAT OBSTACLES WOULD YOU SAY YOU'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS?
"Just the change in clientele, the neighborhood. We've pretty much had a lot of the same employees. Employees that have worked for us for a long time. We don't go through a lot of them. So, yes, the biggest obstacle is the neighborhood."
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE THAT WAS LOOKING TO START THE SAME TYPE OF BUSINESS?
"Buy outside of the city of Philadelphia. They're tough with the taxes. Like, they charge a 10% tax on every drink that's supposed to go to the school district. Which we know it's not going there. That's our profit there, it would be our profit, but now we pay it out. The bar business isn't the same as it was 20 years ago, even 10 years ago."
TAXES GOING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT? REALLY!? THAT'S WORKED OUT WELL.
"Yeah, that's what we have fought for a lot of years. We could never get any answers. And then it ended up costing all of us bar owners so much money to keep fighting it, we stopped and just started paying (the tax)."
DO YOU RUN ANY SPECIALS?
"We do run specials at certain times. $2 shots of wild turkey, $1 Jell-O shots. We always have $.80 PBR mugs.
ANY SPECIALS FOR ONE UNIFIED READERS?
"Anyone that mentions One, Unified will get a free drink (good one time only)."
LASTLY, WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE SO LOYAL?
"I think because my employees are very good and because they like me and my husband. They've gotten to know us over the years. The customers will even rat on some of the employees. That's gotta say something. I think we're like one big family. It's a family atmosphere. Some people don't have that at home. It's kind of nice that you get it here."
Leneghan's Crusader Inn is located at:
7412 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
Visit them on Facebook at Leneghans Crusader Inn
"Buy outside of the city of Philadelphia. They're tough with the taxes. Like, they charge a 10% tax on every drink that's supposed to go to the school district. Which we know it's not going there. That's our profit there, it would be our profit, but now we pay it out. The bar business isn't the same as it was 20 years ago, even 10 years ago."
TAXES GOING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT? REALLY!? THAT'S WORKED OUT WELL.
"Yeah, that's what we have fought for a lot of years. We could never get any answers. And then it ended up costing all of us bar owners so much money to keep fighting it, we stopped and just started paying (the tax)."
DO YOU RUN ANY SPECIALS?
"We do run specials at certain times. $2 shots of wild turkey, $1 Jell-O shots. We always have $.80 PBR mugs.
ANY SPECIALS FOR ONE UNIFIED READERS?
"Anyone that mentions One, Unified will get a free drink (good one time only)."
LASTLY, WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE SO LOYAL?
"I think because my employees are very good and because they like me and my husband. They've gotten to know us over the years. The customers will even rat on some of the employees. That's gotta say something. I think we're like one big family. It's a family atmosphere. Some people don't have that at home. It's kind of nice that you get it here."
Leneghan's Crusader Inn is located at:
7412 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
Visit them on Facebook at Leneghans Crusader Inn
