Stan and Joes Coming to South River Colony Main Street

Stan and Joe's pub is coming to Edgewater. Stan and Joe are two real guys—Stan Fletcher and Joe McGovern, who own the original saloon on West Street in Annapolis. They said they decided in 2010 to open a second restaurant, and picked South River Colony Main Street for a variety of reasons.

It will be a few months before they can open their doors to customers — they have a liquor board hearing in March and they're working on a cleanup and buildout of the space, formerly Shockers Bar and Grill.

"We aim to be an American saloon with an Irish attitude," McGovern said.

They hope to be able to bring the flavor of their Annapolis pub to Edgewater, including live music seven days a week.

They've operated their Annapolis restaurant since January of 2007. Both men had been longtime bartenders at some well-known Annapolis eateries.

When asked why they decided to leave the bartending life to take on the challenge of owning a restaurant, they said in unison, "not wanting to bartend when you're 65."

McGovern tended bar in Georgetown in Washington, DC for 25 years, then moved to the Annapolis area, where he worked in the 1990s at McGarveys, the Rockfish, and the Eastport Clipper.

Fletcher, who also plays in the local band "A Classic Case," has worked at Armadillos, Fran O'Briens, the Ebb Tide, and for a time owned a bar in Rehobeth, DE.

Fletcher said that they try to bring a positive experience to people, and if they can make a little money, all the better.

At the Edgewater shop, they plan on keeping some of the furnishings that Shockers had installed, like the lengthy bar and some of the booths, but McGovern noted that the inside colors were a little foreboding and needed to be brightened up.

Their menu is a mix of American and Irish favorites like burgers, fish and chips and shepherd's pie, plus appetizers and a raw bar.

McGovern said that they hope to make the Edgewater pub similar to their Annapolis restaurant in that it is a place he wants to hang out.

"The proudest thing for me is that our place on West Street is a place I want to go to have a burger," McGovern said.

For the long-term, the two would like to add another four to five restaurants.

"It is easier to make a little bit of money each at five places than it is to make a lot of money at one," Fletcher said.

The South River Colony Main Street location will have 105 seats, and they plan to open as soon as they have the liquor license and their health department and fire department okays.

We asked how they feel about the other local competition, between the Steakhouse, the Greene Turtle and the new Bill Batemans, slated to open also this spring.

"We've met everyone, and the feeling in this center is all for one and one for all," McGovern said, adding, "did you know there is a real Bill Bateman? I just bought some equipment from him, they've been around here too."

Stan and Joe both promised to keep Edgewater Patch readers apprised of an opening date.