By Susan Koenig So the famous Cabbage Shed, Jim Clapp\u2019s dream since he bought the property in 1972, has been sold<\/a>. Shortly after its 30-year anniversary party on Halloween, the keys changed hands last fall, and after renovations over the winter, the place opened up about two months ago under the new ownership<\/a>. <\/p>\n Tongues are wagging now regarding the new owners, ambiance, music, food (will things change?<\/em>), and what is Jim Clapp going to do now? <\/p>\n We at The Betsie Current<\/em> decided to find out. We caught up with The Shed\u2019s founder on his way back north after a winter in sunny Florida, and we asked about his new life, his dreams, his goals, as well as his hopes for The Shed and what he will miss most about his former life.<\/p>\n What I miss about being the owner of The Shed:<\/strong> The music, of course. Having the chance to perform and to meet\u2014and sometimes to play\u2014with such talented musicians has been great!<\/p>\n Our customers. We always tried to provide a comfortable, accepting\u2014and dare I say loving\u2014environment for anyone who honored us with their presence. A lot of my friendships started at The Shed.<\/p>\n Working with my kids. The biggest plus for me has been being able to work with Becky and Dan, to get through the stressful times (what times aren\u2019t stressful in the restaurant business?); scary times; many, many funny and joyful times. I was never really sure what my father did for a living; he disappeared into the [Brooklyn] subway every morning and re-emerged every evening, but I really didn\u2019t know exactly what transpired between those events. My kids know exactly what my work has been, and they\u2019ve seen how I deal with employees, customers, vendors, etc. They\u2019ve seen who I am, complete with all the blemishes. And I\u2019ve had the chance to really know them as adults\u2014they have no blemishes.<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t miss: <\/strong> Dealing with governmental agencies. Filing reports. Worrying about people getting home safely from The Shed. Hoping that someone would show up to hear the expensive band we\u2019d booked.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for me? Winters in St. Petersburg [Florida] are pretty great. Our apartment is on a lake in the downtown area\u2014lots of good restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping, etc. Walk or bike to everything. I\u2019ve been able to perform a bit, which has been fun. I even took a painting class this winter. Abby and I are really enjoying apartment living. Lots of socializing, partying, music-making with people we\u2019ve come to care about. It\u2019s kind of like living in a fraternity house, but you have your own bathroom, and there are no panty raids. Then there\u2019s the homeless community I hang out with pretty regularly\u2014also a fun group. Apart from the very long drive [1,500 miles], this is a nice life, going back and forth.<\/p>\n
\nCurrent Contibutor<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe hustle and bustle. Not me having to hustle and bustle, but being around our great staff as they buzz hither and yon, setting up for a busy night, or watching them put out that extra effort during a rush, even though they may be tired and ready to put their feet up. We\u2019ve had so many wonderful and memorable employees.<\/p>\n
\nAll the work. Running a restaurant is very hard, stressful, exhausting work. And as much as I\u2019ve loved it, as I\u2019ve gotten older, it has become increasingly difficult, even though Becky had been doing virtually all the real work for the past 15 years or so. I can\u2019t say enough good about Becky\u2019s management of The Shed.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I\u2019m really looking forward to getting back to Elberta and seeing what the new owners, Colleen and T.J. Hudson, have done with The Shed. I hear good things. I\u2019ll get to enjoy the place without having any of the concerns of ownership, and I\u2019ll have more time to spend with my kids and grandkids. And I\u2019ll still get to play music there, now and then [at Thursday night \u201copen mic\u201d at 8 p.m.].<\/p>\n