By Amye Anderson
UCBJ Managing Editor
GAINESBORO – Word spread quickly across social media last weekend as news of the closure of the Bull & Thistle Pub was confirmed by the restaurant on Facebook.
“Tonight, after 5-and-a-half years, the Bull & Thistle Pub is closing it’s (sic) doors,” the post dated June 23 read. “Tonight will be our last night to be open to serve you. It has been a joy and a pleasure to be your pub for all these years.”
We reached out to Diana Mandli, one of the Pub’s co-owners, following the news of the popular Celtic-meets-Southern eatery’s closure.
“The Bull & Thistle was always something of an experiment,” she said. “We hoped, but really didn’t know, whether a unique restaurant could help breathe new life into an old town square. What we learned without a doubt is that there is no single answer to the worthy question of how to preserve old downtown neighborhoods. The success of any such venture absolutely depends on the commitment and determination of the entire community to pull together.”
Mandli didn’t immediately provide the UCBJ with a specific reason behind the abrupt announcement to close but said she hopes the venture showed the value of investing in the “great little towns and historic squares across Middle Tennessee.”
“We hope it inspires others to do just that,” Mandli added. “Although the Pub’s time has come to an end, we will be eternally grateful to all who passed through our doors.”
Last year, the restaurant expanded into an adjoining space along Main Street that once housed another of Mandli’s businesses, The Vault boutique. It is not immediately clear what the plans are for the property.
Refunds are currently being issued for those with unused balances on gift cards purchased within the last 12 months. To request a refund, customers are being asked to send an email, complete with name, mailing address, phone number, and number on the back of the card, to bullandthistlepub@gmail.com.
