10/02/2026
‼️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ‼️
This is tough… For nearly 20 years, Nail Creek Pub has been a part of the greater Utica community. Things have been difficult since covid. Over that time, my personal attention and leadership have been increasingly elsewhere. To the point where this last year I was nearly invisible at my beloved pub.
Around Thanksgiving of last year, I made a private deal to sell. We were to continue operation and handoff the business without losing a day. I found great solace in having succession and knowing that Nail Creek would be in perfect hands for years to come. I envisioned the new owners fixing all the issues I had let develop and bring renewed, youthful energy back to my good old pub. I relished in the daydream of returning as a patron for years to come.
The last year has been a combination of financial struggle and the stress held in the back of my mind in relation to lingering and festering issues at the pub. I knew that things were bad, but the sale was near and I expected inertia to carry it through. As everyone knows, nothing is for certain. I was informed on Tuesday that the deal to sell was terminated. Things just took too long.
As a result, I must shut down the pub. I simply cannot carry the debt or stress any longer without an end in sight. This Sunday the 4th will be our last day.
During the last few sleepless nights, I have been searching and struggling for what to say. The only thing that I keep coming back to is gratitude. All the employees, the waves of regulars, the randoms, just all kinds of people, for whatever reason chose to hang out in this tiny little space my wife and I created and named Nail Creek. I really want to stress how amazing that is to me. Looking back, you all have been, in some way, a part of my life and I’m just so incredibly thankful for that. It’s been nearly 20 years of laughter and tears, happiness and sadness, and all the things outside and in between. All the friends I’ve made and the things we shared all happened in this one tiny spot. I hope that some of you found community here. I hope some of you found friendship here. I know a few of you found love here. And, if nothing else, I hope that a few of you found someone here to just listen to your story. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us over the years...
We will be open until Sunday so if you want to hang out with us one last time, we would love to have you. All draft will be 50% off and we will work on some food specials. We have a lot of bills to pay so please help us kick those kegs and share some stories.
Should anyone be interested in reviving the pub or the space please let me know. You can send an email to [email protected]. I’ll add that you never know what will happen, so please continue following us and hope for a miracle.
Finally, as this chapter of my life closes, another opens. If anyone is interested in what I have been doing for the last 4 years, please visit www.purecannabisny.com . We will be entering the market next week.
-Chris
Sustainably grown cannabis that honors the earth and uplifts the community.
