If you grew up in Guelph over the last 100 years or so, you already know about the Commercial Tavern in nearby Maryhill. Chances are you had been there at some point.
Last spring the building, which was built in 1854 and had been a music and drinking establishment ever since, was put up for sale.
Paul Weber, who owned the Commercial Tavern since 1996, had as many stories as the building itself might have it could speak when reporter Kenneth Armstrong visited.
“I worked 50 weeks a year for 22 years, six and seven nights a week. I took two weeks off a year and other than that we played — and we went hard. We went up and down the highway like madmen,” said Weber of his tenure as owner.
“I was just really lucky that I was able to keep as much music in my life as I wanted to.”
Weber said he learned how to treat people, how to read a room and how to take care of business when a fight breaks out.
“I tried to do things right, I tried to be fair to people — the bands and the patrons — and I think my experience on the road helped to do that.”
