Residents upset over two new bar and grills

By: Howard Roden, Courier staff

06/05/2005

What's in a name? Apparently plenty when it comes to a pair of businesses seeking to gain a foothold in Montgomery County.

The co-owners of Sawmill Icehouse and Grill wish nearby residents would focus on the second half of their establishment's name instead of envisioning hordes of bikers throwing back beers and causing general mayhem. Glen Mitchell and his stepson, Harry Ludwig, have applied for a beer license at their new business, located at 23731 Nichols Sawmill Road near the Waller County line.
"This will be a bar and grill," Mitchell said. "I wish residents would remember 'grill' is part of our business name. Every night there will be a food theme."
However, their request has sparked enough interest among area residents that a protest is expected at a public hearing 4 p.m. Monday at Commissioners' Court, where County Judge Alan B. Sadler will provide.
There's nothing controversial in the name of Montgomery's Bar and Grill, a combination restaurant and sports bar located at 5405 FM 1488 west of Old Conroe Road. But it's the name of the owner's husband that had resulted in rampant speculation about the establishment's ultimate use.
Scheduled to open around July 1, Montgomery's Bar and Grill will be a place where, according to owner Betty Plunkett, "baby boomers" and families can enjoy quality food in an opulent, relaxed atmosphere.
"It's a place to get away from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. It will be a nice, cozy place," she said.
But because the 6,000 square-foot building is several hundred feet off the highway and is devoid of windows, local residents and members of the East 1488 Community Association have recently voiced concerns the bar and grill might one day be transformed into a sexually oriented business, such as a topless bar. Concern over that possibility was broached to Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage at a recent East 1488 Community Association meeting during which he was a guest speaker.
That couldn't be further from the truth, Plunkett said. She blames the rumors on people out to "persecute" her husband. Kelly J. Plunkett Jr. is the owner of a sand pit his neighbors say is violating environmental regulations and is currently under indictment for shooting at a neighbor. He has also served a 12-year prison term on the charge manufacturing methamphetamine.
"Kelly Plunkett is a fine man who is being persecuted by several people in this county who want to see him go broke," Betty Plunkett said. "I know who these people are and they'll never be satisfied until they run us out, which isn't going to happen.
"It's sad. People should not be judged on their past. I hoped and prayed people would not stoop this low again and bring up his past. All we've done is work hard," she said.
Betty Plunkett said her husband built the building, which includes 1,000 square feet of kitchen area. However, Kelly Plunkett will not be involved in the daily operation of Montgomery's Bar and Grill, she said. Deena Smith has been hired as the restaurant's general manager, and said she would gladly provide pre-opening tours of the building, which features ornate lightning fixtures and detailed wood paneling. The building can seat up to 150.
"We've got 15 televisions in our sports bar, including several plasma televisions. We'll have all the sporting events - NFL, NBA Major League Baseball and NASCAR," said Smith, adding that Montgomery's kitchen manager has at least 12 years' experience working for another steakhouse chain.
The lack of quality restaurants along FM 1488 was the motivation for building Montgomery's, Betty Plunkett said.
"You have to go The Woodlands if you want something really nice," she said.
Ann K. Anderson, president of the East 1488 Community Association, said the building's distance from FM 1488 and the lack of windows contributed to the speculation.
"We didn't know what it was going to be. We were told by word of mouth it was going to be a restaurant," she said. "It doesn't look like a normal restaurant. We have no other buildings like that in this area. Other bar and grills have windows."
Anderson said the building looks "similar" to some adult entertainment places "people have seen or heard about" in Houston.
Eileen Montgomery, past president of the East 1488 Community Association, questioned Gage about Montgomery's at an association meeting May 26. She said she did so at the behest of concerned residents.
"They called me about it. The architecture of the building had people concerned," Montgomery said. "After listening (to Gage), I'm quite confident everything is fine. He eased my fears. I don't have any concerns."
Gage told the audience he would not sign any permit allowing a sexually oriented business in Montgomery County while he was in office.
Betty Plunkett said she was in favor of doing away with all adult businesses. She expressed her disappointment at the "negative" attention to her business as it opening date draws near.
"We've got a wonderful staff, and we've hired nice professional people who we want to grow with our company," Plunkett said. "I just wish those people concerned about our business had enough nerve to come by and see it for themselves. We'd love to give them a tour. We've already had lots of people in the area come by and have told us what a nice a place it is."
The owners of Sawmill Icehouse and Grill are also fighting a battle over image. Resident Guy McDonald hopes the icehouse will change its name to a more restaurant friendly name and close at a more reasonable hour.
"A business with the word 'icehouse' in the title will attract a clientele that drinks in a social atmosphere, which will eventually cause more accidents in the area," he said.
Co-owner Glen Mitchell is the former owner of Big Dawgs in Tomball. He said he has started and sold six bars in his career and claims he's never had a violation against any of his alcohol permits.
"This is not a sleaze-bag, dive bar," he said. "It will be similar to a Willy G's bar and grill chain. People don't seem to have a problem with that type of business. I don't think they'll have a problem with ours when it opens."
Still under construction, the bar and grill will encompass 4,000 square feet and feature a take-out window.
"We hope to be able to deliver pizzas," said Mitchell, noting that the menu will also include hotwings, hamburgers, barbecue, fried fish and fajitas.
McDonald, who has started a petition drive in opposition to the Sawmill Icehouse and Grill, believes the establishment will be detrimental to the "health, safety and welfare" of the local community. He said the section of Nichols Sawmill Road is also prone to automobile accidents and providing a place to drink alcohol would only increase the number of accidents.
"There are many teens learning to drive in this predominantly residential area, as well as other teens driving four-wheelers on the easement for recreation," McDonald said. "I'm afraid to let my 16-year-old son drive on this road."
Sawmill Icehouse and Grill is located just over 300 feet away from ABC and 123 Child Care. Day care owner Melissa Shewbert said she is not overly concerned about the bar and grill's location and has taken a wait-and-see approach.
Mitchell said he doesn't know what he will do with his business if the beer license isn't approved. But he said he would be a good neighbor if he does receive the license.
"If anyone has any problems, they can come to me and I'll address the situation," he said. "I want to be a part of the community."

Howard Roden can be reached at hroden@mail.hcnonline.net.