Insane rumors about Starbucks or Burger King moving into Boise's Hyde Park can finally be put to rest.
When Lucky 13 relocates to Harris Ranch at the end of the month, it will be replaced by Sunray Cafe, which will keep things essentially the same for now. The new restaurateurs are tossing around cool ideas about the future, from adding paninis to the menu to constructing rooftop seating with an elevator.
One thing that's not up for debate: the outdoor patio, where cyclists, diners and a few tail-wagging friends love to hang on beautiful North End evenings.
We may never know precisely why longtime Lucky 13 operator Liza Goul and building owner Mary Lou Martin-Gentles couldn't come to terms on a lease renewal. But since Martin-Gentles' son, David Martin, will operate Sunray Cafe, it seems probable that the family wanted to take control. Martin-Gentles purchased the site in 1980, then started Lucky 13 with aid from a partner. Goul took the reins later and ran Lucky 13 for nearly two decades.
Casual customers are probably thinking, "Don't know! Don't care! Just keep feedin' me pizza and pourin' me beer!"
I feel ya. But for the Lucky 13 faithful, it's hard not to shed a tear. Or get a little grumpy. We shouldn't have been kept in the dark about the Martins' plans until now.
"It's pretty funny," observes Erik McLaughlin, owner of Bungalow across the street, "because if they're pretty much going to do the same thing, all this drama was for naught."
Yep. Of course, a cold pitcher of Sierra Nevada and a hot Mexican Grande pizza (or whatever the Sunray will call it) should resolve most hard feelings.
Lucky 13's final night on 13th Street will be Aug. 29. The Harris Ranch location hopes to launch Sept. 5.
Depending on red tape, Sunray Cafe could be open as quickly as Sept. 1.
All is well, it seems, for the anchor building of Hyde Park.
"As long as the Martins are alive," says Chick Martin, who is helping his brother, David, "that patio will never go away."
• GRATEFUL FLOYD: Unless musicians playing Pink Floyd covers know exactly what they're doing, it's easy for listeners to go from comfortably numb to uncomfortably bummed.
"Don't I know it, man," laughs Jason Baker, guitarist-vocalist for Portland band Pigs on the Wing.
His tribute act — which grew out of an all-Floyd concert by Baker's space-rock band, Oxcart — will perform Saturday, Aug. 4, at The Bouquet (9 p.m., $6 ). It's part of a "Grateful-Floyd" show. Boise band Farmdog will rock nothing but Grateful Dead tunes to open. Pigs on the Wing will perform afterward.
Now, normally, I hate tribute bands …
"You're a rock critic!" Baker responds. "But the thing is, I pretty much share (that feeling) with you. It's funny to me to even be talking to you about a tribute band. Except here we are. And I'm really enjoying it."
After seeing a DVD of Pigs on the Wing, I think most Pink Floyd fans would enjoy it, too. The group plays the music note for note sometimes. Other times, they take it for a ride. (Watch a clip at myspace.com/pigwingmusic.)
"I don't take it too seriously," Baker says. "It's a good rock show, you know? I really think it is. I would appreciate seeing it, and almost everyone who has come out has had good things to say."
• QUICK HITS: Jam band Widespread Panic will perform Oct. 8 at the Idaho Center in Nampa. Tickets go on sale Aug. 10. … The canceled Tommy Lee/DJ Aero gig slated for Aug. 2 at The Big Easy was rumored to have sold fewer than 100 tickets. … Granted, $37 may feel steep to see the Black Crowes on Oct. 3, considering that they charged $22.75 and $32.75 when they headlined the Idaho Center Amphitheater in 2001. But it is at the intimate Big Easy. … Cross Canadian Ragweed is a mid-week best bet at Shorty's Saloon (6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, $15.)
Michael Deeds co-hosts "The Other Studio" at 9 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM "The River." This week: New music iPod shuffle. He also appears Thursdays on "Fox 12 News at Nine."
