This is a sad day for the Strathcona neighbourhood and for Hamilton in general. Rolly Rockets Restaurant, at Locke and King, has shut down. Yet another story in the recent dismal history of King St W.

In farewell, its owner Roland shared with me that the challenges related to keeping a profit, operating in that old building, and a problematic future, as we see social and economic change in the lower city was too much to handle. All of which fits into the chronic arguments, often heard at Rolly's, on gentrification, sustainable economics, and city planning.

Losing Rolly's is a blow to the social fabric of Strathcona. The neighbourhood lacks a community centre and indoor public spaces. The residents are lucky to have Victoria Park but it cannot stand in for a good community centre or the service of the local pub. With respect to other great places of entertainment and service in the area, they do not have the location, accessibility, and service that Rolly's provided for the past 10 years.

This loss is particularly sad to me for many reasons. I have heard and seen the history of this unique location. I grew up selling snack foods to bars and taverns with my family's business. I moved into Strathcona as a McMaster student from the east side of town. It was G.P. Grumpies serving up the suds and renting rooms above, until they closed. For years after the remains of the legendary tavern survived as a flophouse. It was famous thanks to tenants like Frankie Venom, or, the person my roommates and I named jean-shorts-man, a character who spent every other day in the summer suntanning in jean shorts on the roof, while drinking a 40 of malt liquor.

Then one day I noticed renovations and went in to welcome owners Roland and Teela to the neighbourhood. They opened shortly after, and became the first in Hamilton to serve the popular trend of smoked southern style barbecue.

I was fortunate to be one of their first employees and witnessed for the next four years that they were great community partners. Their contributions ranged from collaborating on neighbourhood annual events, providing free food, to hosting numerous community meetings and events in the pub. There was never any hesitation to help families and residents in need. They hosted live bands, and, at one point, the hottest Friday night karaoke. They held fundraisers for children and did the simple things like take a collection from the regulars to buy a hockey net for the park rink.

This became normal but what made Rolly's special was they took a location with a bad reputation and made it welcoming to all sorts. There was no discrimination at Rolly's. They created the local pub that every neighbourhood needs. No matter what background, religion, sexuality, occupation, social or health status, you could go to Rolly's and get some food and drink or host an event. As long as you respected them and your fellow patrons, you were welcome.

Of course, not everything was peace and love. There was certainly times when fights and anger flowed between neighbours, staff, and their patrons, and I'll admit it, I got into some arguments with Roland a few times. That didn't matter. You could always fix things with Roland and Teela. They were always willing to give a second chance, just maybe not a third and fourth chance.

All of which is hard when you are running a business and raising a family. Over the 10 years, their family grew up. As lots of people came and went. Some regulars passed away after long lives and others went too soon. Roland, Teela, and all the staff made sure to pay respect where respect was due.

Rolly Rocket's is now one of the many names in a long line to have made a go of it at Locke and King. From the days of the tavern to the barbecue restaurant, that corner has always been the local pub for Strathcona. To see it empty again is sad, and like the many that came before, Rolly's will be missed.

The good news is their delicious ribs, pork and chicken may not been gone from this world. They intend to open another location. That will be little consolation to the people of Strathcona, but, wherever they do open again I will certainly find a way to go there and feast again on those baby back ribs, beans, sweet potato fries, that awesome maple mayo dip, and, get into a good political argument with Roland.

Jonathan Therien is a Locke Street resident and an MSW candidate and child and youth counsellor.