If you’ve never visited the Honkytonk Wine Library before then you’re missing a treat. Claire Ambrose, Corporate and Business Services Manager at Bishop Fleming visited to see what it was all about.
Its position overlooking Sutton Harbour means that a glass of wine can be sipped as you watch the world go by – or the sunset across Plymouth’s historic Barbican. It’s a great location, but previous occupants of the unit have not been successful – so why is the Honkytonk any different?
The Honkytonk opened its doors on 24 September 2018. Run by Fitz and Zoe, with assistance from Fitz’s son Donovan (Don), the quality of the produce, the fantastic wines and the great ambience of the place draws you back again and again. It’s an experience – not just a drink or a meal.
Fitz has a background as a freelance chef and then gravitated towards the wine industry, travelling the world in his work and tasting wines all over. The only major wine producing country he hasn’t yet visited is New Zealand. His entrepreneurial attitude means that there is always something in the pipeline to develop new products to extend the Honkytonk brand. Zoe used to work in schools, so came from a clerical background.
The stylish interior décor is testament to her ability to furnish the space in a unique style that is warm, welcoming, and interesting to look at.
There are touches of home with a large dining table that Zoe says she’s had at home for over 20 years, and tucked away in a corner is an upright piano that also came from home. Zoe says that customers often ask where she got various pieces of furniture from as they like the styling so much
The original idea was to sell fine wines. This was then extended to cheeses and then, Fitz says, his son came on board and the offering was extended to platters and other light bites.
Since opening, the menu has extended further with the addition of Sunday roast and more recently breakfast. The idea is to champion local produce wherever possible.
Effect of Covid-19
Honkytonk had only been open for 18 months when the first lockdown was imposed.
This is a critical time for any new business and so came as a significant blow. Fitz said that they started working on the company website to develop their online sales as a means of continuing to operate.
By doing this they could at least sell wines and cheese online and keep some money coming in. Staff were all furloughed.
In preparation for the re-opening and outdoor dining only rules, the outside seating area was further developed to make a cosy welcoming space.
In cooler months blankets and hot water bottles are offered to customers, and the wood and Perspex windbreaks are very effective. The unit benefits from a large covered outdoor space to ensure that even on a wet day they can still make use of this area.
New products
To enable them to concentrate on developing new products, Fitz and Zoe have largely stepped away from running the restaurant, leaving this in the capable hands of Don.
However, post covid staff changes mean that further training is needed, so Zoe is currently spending more time there to facilitate this. Standards are high and it’s the excellent staff that help to make the experience so enjoyable.
In late 2021, a new product called the Honkytonk Batch Rum Plantation Spice was released. There are plans to follow this with other new products – bourbon and vodka – when funds permit.
However, it doesn’t stop there as there are plans to hold a two-day market stall on Sutton Harbour and lease a nearby unit to ensure adequate storage facilities for online sales, with a small shop front for easy collection.
There are now also regular comedy nights and other events taking place and they’re keen to develop their offering for the corporate market. They are even hosting a wedding later this year
Having been through so much already in the early years of the business with several covid lockdowns, the start of a new year in 2022 with restrictions removed was set to be a great one.
But then the development of the site next door started, and the entire front of the restaurant has recently been boarded up - so it is no longer visible and very little light now permeates in the interior.
If you hadn’t been there before you would be forgiven for thinking that there was nothing behind the hoarding. The outdoor space is currently unusable and has become a dark corridor through which to access the inside.
Wind whistles through the gaps in the hoarding as I stood there, and Zoe showed me all the dust on the tables and floor which accumulates each day.
There is no front left to show the business behind and with a whole year ahead of them in this state it is an extremely concerning time for Fitz and Zoe.
However, once inside, the ambience is as it always was, so the focus is very much on getting people to be aware that the business is still there and OPEN!
The outdoor space, once sealed correctly, will be useable, but further work is needed to get it to look welcoming now that the view is lost. This area is badly in need of decorating to brighten it up, but this comes at a cost to the business that was not expected. The company have set up a Crowdfunder to help raise funds to do this and are calling on locals to support them.
But, as well as this, the loyal client base will need to continue to show support throughout the year and hopefully the planned works will help to attract some of the usual summer visitors.
By showing support throughout this year-long period the hope is that we will once again enjoy that coffee, rum or glass of wine as the sun sets over the Plymouth Barbican in 2023.
Some Images by George Harding Photography