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Tuesday February 6, 2008
Tommy Murphy's Weekly Q&A
We first met Paul Hurley in 1985 at Owen O'Reilly's bar on West 35th Street and the Avenue of the Americas. My great and good friend, Joe Murphy from Co. Cork, used to repair there with me after work for a frank exchange of ideas. Paul was the bartender. I remember one time when a robber snatched a $20 bill off the counter and fled into the night. Young Mr. Hurley insisted on replacing the stolen cash with his own money. Later, he opened his own drinking establishment, and we've been recovering there from the rigors of the city ever since. Paul's a well-known businessman now, highly regarded, happily married, and the proud father of a son, Desmond. We caught up with him recently and asked him a few questions for the edification of our many readers. HOMETOWN?Finglas, Co. Dublin OCCUPATION?Owner of P.D. O'Hurley's Bar & Grill at 174 W. 72nd St., near Broadway, in Manhattan, as well as three other public houses ARRIVED IN THE U.S?1985 OPENED FIRST PUB?1990 PRESIDENT?United Restaurant & Tavern Owners of New York 2005 (www.urto.org). The UR&TO is "a grassroots association representing Manhattan's 3,000 on-premise beverage alcohol licensees." It endeavors to "legislatively moderate the influence of community boards in the licensing process and daily operation of our business (The law shouldn't mandate good business practices that are basic)." It is also working to "eliminate the fee on the sales tax portion of the bill on charged payments, as is necessary in New York State." The UR&TO strives to "keep [its] membership informed on mediation, licensing, fees, and fines." In addition, it seeks to "cultivate the relations/education process with elected officials and key agency commissioners to show the vital role the on-premise licensee plays in the hospitality and tourism industry in New York City." GOAL AS PRESIDENT?"We want to get more people to join and more members involved in our work. Bar owners are facing all sorts pf problems these days, from the Health Department to you name it. They're causing us a lot of trouble." WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT NEW YORK?"It's a great city. You can work hard and watch what happens." WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE, IF YOU COULD?"There's always room for improvement. I'd like some of the people who left to come back and I''d like a more friendly atmosphere." DO YOU HAVE YOUR HEAD IN A BOOK?"I'm reading a book about the famous Irish soccer player Paul McGrath. He was amazing. He always lived on the brink." WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?"It would have to be 'Schindler's List.'" WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?Aruba WHAT DOES A BUSY PUBLICAN DO IN HIS SPARE TIME?"I enjoy chilling out on the beach." ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSMEN?"Work hard -- put in plenty of work -- and you will succeed in reaching your goal. There are no short cuts. You have to be willing to put in a lot of long hours." FUTURE PLANS?"Part of success is always moving forward, so down the road I'd like to open some more pubs." |
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