BUZZon - It’s a Done Deal

Pat and Meghann While browsing online through the MLS real estate listings back in 2010, Meghann Sullivan noticed an interesting property in Mount Stewart up for sale—the former Co-op store that, for a dozen years, had been operating as the Trailside Café. The price seemed right, and Meghann imagined herself taking on the project of fixing the place up. She made enquiries but was told that the Trailside had been sold by owners Doug Deacon and Barb MacDonald.

A year later, this time with boyfriend Pat Deighan involved, Meghann discovered that the Trailside had not sold after all, and that Doug and Barb were still looking for a buyer. Pat said “OK, let’s go and look at it,” and, for the first time, they attended one of the intimate music and dining evenings that the Trailside offered. Dave Gunning was performing and Pat admits he was “blown away” with the experience.

While Meghann (who works a nurse in “Emerg”at the QEH) was dreaming of the renovations she could make to the building, Pat was having a complimentary dream—owning and operating a music venue. Ever since his days at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown Pat has been an event organizer. “When I was 17 or 18 I was putting on all ages shows,” he says.

As a musician Pat has performed with Strawberry, Eyes for Telescopes and his own band, the Orb Weavers. He has also worked with PEI’s Close to the Coast music festival, a co-production of Lloyd Doyle’s Sandbar Music and Baba’s Lounge. His job was to book all the bands for the festival. And for the past few years he has been manager (then co-owner) of Back Alley Music, and guitarist with In Flight Safety. With his experience and musical connections he clearly pictures himself running a music-based business.

In December of 2011 the dream became a reality when Pat and Meghann signed the papers and took ownership of what they now call The Trailside Café and Inn. And a week or so later they got married. The partnership of Pat and Meghann Deighan is now hard at work with the fixing up part of the Trailside enterprise.

They intend to book the quality musicians that former customers are used to, as well as bringing in new performers. They are also enthusiastic about their ideas for what will come out of the Trailside kitchen.

Their motto seems to be good music, good food and good fun.

That should work.

Pat and Meghann are hoping for a spring opening. The Buzz will be following this story with great interest.

A Bee In Her Mouth ←		Music PEI Awards 2012 →

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