~ Jon James
It was a bit before 2pm on a Saturday when my sister Bonnie and I arrived at the Blue Ox Saloon in downtown Millinocket only to find the doors locked. I pulled hard on them in case they were stuck but no…there was no sign of life.
As I began to walk away the door was pushed open and a white-haired bearded man said, “we aren’t open until 3.” That was immediately followed by, “if you’d like a drink, come on in.”
I knew from the moment the man so kindly welcomed us that I would like this place, and that I did.
The man is Tom St. John, who has been in Maine for 50 years and has been running the Blue Ox since he built and opened it in 1995. Tom is a genuinely nice guy who has countless interesting stories that can fill your afternoon (in between serving up the drinks).
For many years I’ve known of this place but decided I wanted to visit it. The reason I hadn’t stopped in is that usually when I spend the night in town, I’m by myself and thought I’d feel uncomfortable in close proximity to people I don’t know and who don’t know me. After the visit this past weekend, however, there’s no way I won’t stop in when I’m there. It’s a warm, welcoming and visually appealing place to be.
Bonnie and I made the decision to go there as we sat in the parking lot of the Sawmill Bar & Grill, another great establishment, about a mile or so up the road toward Golden Road Crossing and the Golden Road Yacht Club which, by the way, has the best whoopie pies around…just a sidenote.
After the warm welcome, Bonnie and I bellied up to the bar and were greeted by a very tall Standard Poodle named Jack.
Jack was a bit slow but so very friendly and sweet.
“Jack is sixteen and a half years old”, Tom said. “I thought I was going to lose him a while ago but thanks to some medicine I was able to get, he came back.”
We were amazed by the elderly pup’s remarkable recovery story and Bonnie, who has been a long-time dog owner, took a great deal of interest in the medication. If you want to know more about it, ask Tom, who himself is 80 years old. He’ll be happy to share it with you.
An intersting fact about jack is that sometimes he likes sit at the bar and sip some Guiness. Unusual? Perhaps. But not at the Blue Ox!
Although we’d just met him the day we walked into the saloon, we knew this was going to be a good visit and we were right.
We learnded about Tom, about the bar (and how it’s seen many life forms inside it, including a pot-belly pig (Sadie “Hambone” Hawkins) and a llama.
Tom is a very warm, welcoming and interesting guy. If you’re curious, as we were, he’ll tell you all about his life in Millinocket and about the town itself, which has undergone enoromous changes during his time there. After all, this bar has outlived many, if not most, of the businesses in the area. The closing of two huge parpermills, in Millinocket and East Millinocket, has had a devestating impact on the economy.
Even the strip club, La Casa De Fiesta, closed several years ago.
Still, people need a place to gather, talk and commiserate. Tom and the Blue Ox are there to accomodate.
“When do you start serving food?” we asked. I had looked at the menu on Google before we came in.
“We don’t serve food anymore,” Tom told us. “But here’s a list of places you order from that will deliver here.”
Wow! So I can stay here at this great (and very lovely) local bar and get food from whereever I like? I’m in!!
Bonnie and I ordered a pizza from Katahdin General Store and had it brought right to where we were perched! Ya can’t beat that!
As 3pm rolled around, regulars started to filter in. The greeted us like old friends. Is it any wonder Millinocket is one of my favorite place to go? I call it my happy place.
We sat and chatted with people like we’d always known them and Tom (and his son, Andrew) were right there in the conversation.
Before we left, Tom said, “how about a picture of the two of you behind the bar!”
There was no hesitation. We were in and Tom became our photographer. Another memory made.
Next time we’re by, perhaps we’ll play a game of pool.
If you go to Millinocket, you need to stop in, kick back and enjoy the establishment, which always promises via a sign on the wall, “free beer tomorrow!”
Do I have a regret? Of course. I always do. I regret that we didn’t ask someone to take a picture of us with the legend himself. Next time, Tom.
Here are some random shots to ask Tom about when you stop in.
Belly up at the Blue Ox and make a memory that will last a lifetime!
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