I got the text message at around noon today.
It was just before break at work. And it wasn’t quick.
It took three whole messages to get the words through.
Most likely, it was a group text because that’s usually how the news is delivered.
One person hears and then just *must* tell everyone they know.
And it’s often bad news that spreads the fastest.
After just under a year, Harrisburg’s most promising little dive bar is closing it’s doors.
Tara Station isn’t the kind of place I’d go for a classy night of expensive drinks.
Tara Station isn’t the kind of joint I’d take my Mom. (Or even my sister, for that matter)
No, Tara Station- nestled snug behind the Amtrak Station on Fourth Street was a smoky bar with a great jukebox, an even better Barkeep named Stewie and a room full of people you either knew, wanted to know, or, at minimum, didn’t mind sitting next to while kicking back a few cold ones.
Is it a sign of the times?
I’m hearing about it more and more each day- bars are stopping music, scaling back on staff, making cuts to make ends meet or, in Tara’s case, closing their doors altogether.
Maybe if Tara Station had it’s necessary two-years under it’s belt when this whole economic shitstorm began it would have been better able to weather the storm.
But at barely a year old and still fine-tuning the works, Tara wasn’t able to keep it going.
The official closing night is tonight- Saturday the 3rd.
And I’m sure the whole gang’s gonna be there. 
what i don’t get, is i was just there last monday and didn’t hear anything about this. do you know if it was just a sudden decision? in fact, i just learned that they were open sundays from one of the bartenders when we were there and we were discussing coming out this sunday, odd that he wouldn’t of said at the time that they would be closing down completely by then. too bad i work until 12:30 tonight =(
actually, apparently the gangs all going to be at mcgraths http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=263634277&blogID=460927276
Funny, Jersey, I must have seen you 1000 times at Tara, and never realized that Jersey Mike was in my presence. Now where are we going to go? Will Stewie make another comeback?
@hosehead – bah! I try to keep it low key.
Not sure, man. Tara was ultra convenient for me as it’s right around the corner from ABC-
But now, I guess we’ll have to join the legions and get that Mannerchor membership.
Then I will see you at the Maennerchor…LOL…already a member there as well…the cigar friendly places are getting more rare by the day…
Sorry to burst the exodus bubble, but Tara Station is not closing.
Word around the buffet is that it’s changing ownership but staying Tara Station.
Yeah, I’ve been hearing that too.
[Hope this doesn't sound like an ad... it's paraphrasing an interview. I hope people will just go ask for themselves instead of spreading rumors.]
Newly hired veteran-manager Ed Bergmann will be trying to improve what was good and diminish the memories of what wasn’t. Food and drink prices will be “more recession-friendly”, and he would like the regulars to appreciate the efforts made to keep the place open.
As for changing hands, it is a complicated situation as “ownership” wasn’t, and didn’t need to be, clearly defined for the public at large. Suffice it to say, Wali Mohamed is well-respected in Harrisburg entrepreneur who has demonstrated the capability of making wise business decisions.
Personally, I’m happy Tara is staying open, if for no other reason than it is an independent business that will contribute to and benefit from Harrisburg’s continuing growth.
tara station is closed whats left is an attempt to provit off the good names of brad and stuart ps a bar is more than bricks and motar
How quickly we forget the Epic… Truly “Harrisburg’s Biggest Little Bar”, a bar IS more than bricks and mortar. A bar is also more than it’s owner. It is the regulars you love and the good times you have. Reopening is an “attempt to profit off the good names…”?? How about it’s an attempt to revisit the past fun of both The Epic & the former Tara Station and provide a familiar spot by the train station where new memories can be made. If you ever loved this bar you get it….
Tara Station is not going anywhere. I was just there last night and there were very few seats available at the bar. Not bad for a Thursday.
Oh, and I have some inside information from someone who knows Wali well. The former manager and/or barkeeps were skimming the till. That is why there was a change of hands.
The new “main” bartender, Ed, is just as friendly as the other guys and does a great job. Myself and a friend of mine are picky as hell about our drinks and he makes them perfectly.
I’m also glad they brought over the hookahs from Javid’s because it’s a great option. Unfortunately they only do that M-Th (that’s why I was there last night). They also just purchased a major amount of shisha from hookah-hookah (best stuff I’ve smoked) and have almost every flavor.
Also, they are going to start karaoke on Wed nights sometime soon, I was told mid-April.
Ken is so true. I have been going there since the “change of hands” so to speak and I find Tara Station comfortable and cozy. Live entertaunment every weekend and karaoke on Wednesdays is very fun and the bands I have seen are great. I am seeing familiar faces from the Epic regular crowd and some of the faces from the old Tara crowd. It still is the best little bar in Harrisburg despite the nasty rumors that were going around! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice bar away from the second street craziness!