A long-time Richmond resident and former patron of the now-closed Buck and Ear in Steveston was upset to find out that a lot of the decor and memorabilia from the pub ended up in a dumpster.
Brandie Mol, who had been going to the local pub for the last 35 years, said her heart sank when she heard workers were smashing furniture behind the building last week, especially after she'd offered to buy some of it.
"We went down there to see, as we had previously requested numerous times to purchase furniture or some of the memorabilia after it was announced that it would be shutting down," she explained.
"It broke my heart," said Mol, adding she was in disbelief that despite being told "there were plans for the items," this was what would happen.
"I felt like they didn't care about us, our community or the environment at all."
Mol told the Richmond News she went back in the evening and collected a few pieces from the dumpster, including vintage seltzer bottles from the 1940s, a thermos from the 1950s and several plates and platters.
"I would've loved to purchase a few of the chairs or something, but found them broken in the dumpster instead," she said.
"If they were just going to throw it away, they could have called the thrift shop ... or reached out to a local charity. The items could've been used for auctions as well instead of sending them off to the landfill."
JRG CEO Ryan Moreno told the Richmond News in an email that the community was invited to visit the Buck and Ear to buy memorabilia and decor from the venue during a "one-week window after the last night of business."
He said many people came and took items, including disco balls and chairs. Several "specific memorabilia" were set aside for the City of Richmond as per their request.
"We understand there’s a lot of history tied to the space and wanted to provide an opportunity for people to take something home," he said.
Moreno added JRG is not involved in the removal of items from the site, rather, a third-party contractor is carrying it out.
However, Mol told the News she had been in touch with one of Buck and Ear's longest remaining employees and "no such information" was shared with staff.
"The Buck was our home away from home. We had birthdays there, reunions, celebrations of life -- all of the holidays," said Mol.
When she reached out to JRG to offer her time to make sure the remaining items could go to good homes, she received no response, Mol added.
The News followed up with JRG, asking when and where the company announced the community could buy decor and items from the venue, but did not receive a response prior to publication.
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