Capalano’s completes second-floor expansion

By JAMES CLARK

Tonya McClure is the new bartender at Capalano’s. Owner Brad Kaplan has completed the second floor and turned it into a cozy place to hear live music. Thursday was the first night for mixed drinks.

Much has been said, good and bad, about the success of the downtown renovation project. While I have no intentions of evaluating the entire Main Street project in this space, I do want to give a standing ovation to Capalano’s owner Brad Kaplan, who recently finished the second floor of his building.
The upstairs portion of Capalano’s has become a happening place, largely because there’s a performing stage on one end and a full bar on the other. Brad built and finished the bar himself and Capalano’s sold its first mixed drink Thursday night.
‘I actually had the application for my liquor license filled out over a year ago,’ said Brad. ‘The reason I finally turned it in is because of customer demand. A lot of my customers want to come up here, relax and have a drink.’
Brad says he doesn’t want Capalano’s to be defined by its liquor license. It’s not a roughneck bar. Rather it’s a great place to hang out with friends and hear live music several nights a week.
What I like about Capalano’s is Brad has done his own thing and his business is a reflection of his personality. That’s the way it should be.
Capalano’s has songwriters night on the first and third Thursdays of every month. There is live music on Saturday nights. There are pool tables downstairs. And of course there is still coffee.
‘I sold my first cup of coffee Dec. 1, 2005,’ said Brad, who talks about the past but looks forward to the future. ‘We still have more things to do. The next step is completing the outdoor deck with a BBQ. We’re going to have BBQ and blues on Sundays. And I’d eventually like to have some one-act plays up here.’
David Graham, known for his years as an educator at Centertown Elementary, spearheads songwriters night and arranges the talent that performs. David said many people don’t realize that Capalano’s is a downtown gem.
‘It’s amazing people will drive 75 miles to see entertainment that’s available right here on Main Street,’ said David. ‘We have some great talent.’
If you haven’t checked out Capalano’s and its new second floor, I encourage you to do so. The business is an asset to downtown and McMinnville. It’s located at 117 E. Main Street.