Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Kotek.
Hi Michele, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When we were presented with the opportunity to open a business in New Prague, we wanted to bring a unique place to our locals and others passing through. Our vision was to create an establishment where one could escape and enjoy themselves. To appease the daring kind, much like partying during the prohibition error of the 1920s. An atmosphere like none other in the area. A small town, main street, intimate, accepting environment for adults to come together to laugh, relax, and share stories. Our vision has only been half of that equation in growing The Local 105. Our space would not be and could not be what it has become in one year if it wasn’t for each and every one of our patrons as well as our employees.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As a business being established in 2020, COVID-19 and the pandemic have been the biggest struggle for us as a bar/restaurant. In coordination with our speakeasy theme at our place, a lot of times we refer to that struggle as our covid prohibition challenge. Mainly when we were trying to get the doors open and the business up and running.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Located in the heart of downtown New Prague, we are a small family-owned and operated business. Together with our amazing staff, we have created The Local 105 as a destination for social comfort, camaraderie, cocktails, brews, and wine. This paired with our savory menu creates a unique experience where locals and visitors alike can come together. Aside from our ambiance and aesthetics, we are most proud of our specialty cocktails crafted by our family and staff. We have become increasingly well known for our Bootlegger Bloody (only offered on weekends). Our garden-infused Titos Vodka, homemade bloody Mary mix, deviled egg and candied bacon have become a local favorite! With the tiny size of our kitchen, we are also very proud of the menu options we have been able to provide to our customers. That said, our menu has had to evolve and change with the seasons. This too has become an interesting and inviting concept that our patrons enjoy partaking in. It helps keep things fresh and exciting at our place.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Life has many ways of testing a person’s will. Operating as a bar/restaurant (such public entity), many times throughout the COVID crisis we were forced to follow rules & regulations to remain compliant if we wanted our doors open. Most difficult in achieving that is the fact that we have crossed so many different opinions/beliefs of the pandemic that we have put our best foot forward to maintain empathy, respect and as much common sense as possible in trudging through this strange time in the world. We are firm believers that sometimes we are not tested to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strengths, and that’s exactly what we have been working on over these past few years.
Contact Info:
- Website: thelocal105.com
- Instagram: thelocal105
- Facebook: The Local 105
