Main Street Businesses Aren’t Hooked on Pirate Party
Dylan Tulk, Alison Kaiser
He/Him, She/Her
Staff Writer, Opinions Editor
10/18/24
Sunday, October 13th at midday was a gray and somber affair. Every so often a bleary youth in a three-cornered hat would skulk by. But in majority, the pirates on Mary Lyon Lawn had not yet ventured down to Main St in search of food. The clouds clenched the surrounding hills and threatened rain. Police vehicles guarded the PSU campus vicinity, and Main Street was strangely quiet. Despite the slow morning, Yamas Greek Eatery, Lucky Dog, and Cafe Monte Alto had in place the same pirate policies from previous years- just in case…
Even though the morning had been “tame” and relaxed, Chase St and Monte Alto would close an hour earlier than usual. They were not serving alcohol to anyone in a pirate costume. According to an on-duty manager, these decisions were made out of concern for the pirates’ safety. Monte’s manager explained humorously, that for pirates, “one less 4 pack today is one more memory they’ll have tomorrow.” They said that limiting pirate access to alcohol is the best way Monte Alto and Chase St can care for all members of the community.
A student in line at Monte Alto said she had no plans to join Pirate Party. She’d walked past the police van parked in front of the library, on her way down to Monte. She said it was “crazy” how many partiers had been arrested.
Yamas had not seen many pirates wander in so far. Nevertheless, they had a staunch no-alcohol-for-pirates policy in place. This was to ensure the safety of their business as well as all community members (including pirates). Yamas’ refused to contribute to people getting hurt by serving someone alcohol who seemed sober, but who’d actually been drinking since seven in the morning.
Yamas gets a lot of business during Pirate Party weekend, as do the other businesses serving food and drink-but not just because of pirates. Extra business is mostly due to the beautiful fall colors drawing the attention of out of state “leaf peepers” and tourists. Additionally, the Holderness School parents weekend sat in conjunction with Pirate Party, and lots of families were out and about downtown.
Yamas’ manager did admit the police “seemed to be doing a pretty good job of dismantling the party.” However, he described the resulting scene at Mary Lyon Lawn as “dystopian” and “like the hunger games.” He professed that Pirate Party was “not a great representation of our cute little town.” He tells his tables on Pirate Party that Plymouth is not usually a “police state.”
The Lucky Dog also refused to serve alcohol to pirates, and closed early at 9pm. They said the owner doesn’t put up with anyone acting obnoxious. A staff member shared that all backpacks and water bottles must be left at the front of the restaurant, and disruptive customers are asked to leave. Although pirates looking for a meal or an after party may bring a lot of business, the Lucky Dog says it is not worth risking the safety of the community.
JJ Newberry’s diner was full of pirates, but the vibe was chill. A kitchen employee said that Newberry’s diner had not been a business long enough to have any prejudice against pirates; if they behaved themselves, they could have whatever they wanted. JJ Newberry’s other side–where folks get their local goods, art, and Common Man merch–did not have a pirate policy either. The manager avidly supported people having fun and dressing up, but said she is against the destruction of property and people getting hurt. “We’ve had some flower boxes broken in the past,” she said.
Overall, the message was consistent among Main Street businesses: students deserve to have fun, but not at the risk of harming themselves or others. All businesses were happy to serve food and non alcoholic beverages to pirates to help them sober up, but that was where they drew the line. Main Street businesses aren’t asking these PSU pirates to walk the plank, just to be mindful and cautious about the way they behave in this annual tradition.