First Amendment closes, but owner plans to continue mission
After almost three years of business, the First Amendment Public House will be closing its doors on Dec. 31.
Kyle Barnes, co-owner of the First Amendment, says it was an opportune time to close.
“We are closing. The timing is perfect. We put three years in and our lease came up. We had to decide whether we’re meeting our mission statement, and it got to a point where the restaurant was overtaking our goal,” Barnes said.
Barnes also mentioned her interest in public debate.
“My passion has always been public discussion,” Barnes said.
According to their website, the First Amendment’s mission statement is, “We believe that any problem can be solved, or at least minimized, through healthy debate and education.”
The First Amendment Public House was home to many events, including public discussions and speech nights, where members from the WHS Speech and Debate team would perform for an audience and other various events.
Maria Snoddy, a speech and debate parent and attendee of speech nights, said the First Amendment has been helpful to WHS Speech and Debate program and was a great place to host speech nights.
“The First Amendment has been very supportive of the program. It was a wonderful venue to showcase the many talents of the team to the community,” Snoddy said.
Brian Gigax, a frequent customer of the First Amendment, recalls being impressed the first time he went into the establishment.
“When I first came into this place, I realized it was the place for me. They were playing types of music that weren’t on the radio, and it was good music,” Gigax said.
Gigax also noted he enjoyed the ability of civil discussion and food to bring people together.
The First Amendment will continue its efforts by organizing public discussions around town through various venues
A list of upcoming events will be posted on the First Amendment’s website www.1apublichouse.com, by February of 2016.
