One of the best things to happen to the blues community in Geelong for a very long time was Pete Raimundo setting up Pistol Pete’s Food and Blues. Great food, and live blues for more days of the week than we’d ever had before. It’s being a contribution to the blues scene like no other.
So what happens to business based on diners and music audiences when you get locked down?
I spoke to Pete about this issue two weeks in.
“We’re not doing too bad, not too bad…”
Like many restaurants, Pete is putting some effort into the takeaway and delivery side of things, with dinner six nights a week, from 5pm to 8.30pm, Tuesday through to Sunday, and lunches on Thursday and Friday.
“We’re covering pretty much everything, except oysters and baked beans at the moment.”
Pete is now licensed for take-away, so one order can cover the full package.
You can order through the Pistol Pete’s app plus a link from Facebook and their website. All these alternatives take you through to the same ordering system, with the same choices. If you have the app, you can get pushes on specials through the app.
Pete’s table staff are doing deliveries – instead of bringing it to your table, they’ll bring it to your door. The trip is a bit further, but the turnaround won’t suffer.
Pete is looking at taking the options a bit further too. “Looking at a breakfast package, do it yourself in the morning, eggs, Andouille sausage a couple of biscuits maybe, light gravy, some baked beans, just trying to do some different things.”
All of this has been a bit of a challenge to get running. Trying to estimate purchasing based on this new style of operation has been a bit of a challenge.
I asked him if people will still want deliveries after this is over? “There could be a big change, there’s a big push, there’s a bigger awareness of how that works.”
Maybe half a dozen people having their own little show at home.
And the music?
From May, Pete will be streaming live music on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm. “I’ve been getting home by 9:30 which is a bit weird.”
The format of the evening is not finalised yet, but two 20-minute sets with a comfort break in the middle is the front runner at present.
It’s kicking off from the 1st of May, with Wayne Jury and Tim Hulsman. Later in the month, he has Sarah Carroll & Shannon Bourne, Andrea Robertson, George and Fenn Wilson currently being finalised.
Funding these sessions is also a work in progress.
“Maybe a virtual tip jar, throw something in there and it goes straight to the artist.” Income from merch and gifts purchased during that time is also under consideration.
It’s also supported by sponsors such as Southern Bay Brewery.
Pete’s also looking at a YouTube channel “got to be careful it’s not going to affect the attendance – can’t shoot yourself in the foot.
Voodoo munchies are on the menu! “Get some south in your house.”
Written by Dr John Lamp
