Bands Play on at T. Phillips

Live music has become a staple at . Pass through Glendora’s downtown on a Friday evening and the local bar and grill is one of the few establishments still alive with patrons and music.

But while live music has drawn loyal patrons to T. Phillips, the weekly performances at the establishment hadn’t been exactly approved by the city.

The restaurant had been hosting live music without a required conditional use permit. The city contacted restaurant owners to apply for a CUP, or the restaurant would receive a citation.

“It started off with acoustic guitars and singing but it kind of morphed into something a little more,” said T. Phillips manager Jennifer Vander Hoorn.

During Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, the restaurant applied for, and received the OK for live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight, Sundays 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Outdoor patio entertainment was also approved on the first Saturday of the month fro 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Alcohol would be served from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Restaurant hours would be extended March 17 and Sept. 17 from 6 a.m. to closing.

Despite few protests from local residents on possible alcohol-related disturbances, only one neighbor in the adjacent residential neighborhood near T. Phillips commented on the live entertainment.

“I really like T. Phillips,” said resident Ruanne Skeels. “It’s a gathering place, people walk there. Sometimes they do get rowdy . . . my backyard is on Vista Bonita so I do hear the noise, but there is too much good coming from T. Phillips.

“When they have the music on the patio outside it has been wonderful music…It’s not loud, it doesn’t take over,” she added.

Lt Jamie Caldwell of the Glendora Police Department said most of the disturbance calls regarding T. Phillips occur during the summer months, when the doors to the restaurant are left open for neighbors to hear the music indoors. However, the department does not receive an excessive amount of calls for service at the restaurant, said Caldwell.

“T Philips has worked with the police department very well,” said Caldwell. “As far as any recommendations we’ve made, they’ve gone ahead and abided by them.”

The popularity of live music at T. Phillips and other downtown restaurants such as and , has sparked some discussion on increasing the number of evening entertainment in the downtown area.

Local musician Stan West and his band are regular performers at T. Phillips.

“I think the appeal of having a place like this draws people to Glendora, and they make money,” said West. “I have lived here all my life, and this part of town needs something like this…It’s one of the best things I’ve seen happen to Glendora. “