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During this ongoing series of articles on bars, restaurants, and taverns in and around Maryland named after a person, we have chronicled establishments named after the current owner, after the current owner’s grandfather, and one restaurant baring the family name. And then we have Melanie’s at Griffith’s Tavern in Baltimore’s Hampden community. Yeah, you’re reading that right. It’s named after the Oscar-nominated actress of “Working Girl” and “Something Wild” fame.

Oh, it didn’t always used to be that. This fiercely proud neighborhood bar was previously just Griffith’s Tavern. Hannah Spangler and Allison Crowley bought that business in March 2022 from its previous owner, Rick Koehler, who had run it for 45 years. Spangler co-owned the Cans Filling Station beer bar at Cross Street Market where Crowley also worked. But that place closed at the end of January 2022. The opportunity soon arose for the two business partners to purchase the tavern and its adjoining house.

Words. At the end of life, at our funerals, words are all there is left. Kind words. Loving words. Words of fond remembrance. And when a beverage industry legend such as Tom “Goose” Kaiser dies and the assignment is given to write his tribute article, a word limit comes with it. So, rather than wow you with my usual compelling prose, I’ll let the words of those who knew this extraordinary man best speak for his life.

People like Jane Springer, Executive Director of the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association (MSLBA). She noted that Goose “often presented a tough exterior, but those who didn’t know him would probably be surprised to know what a compassionate and loyal friend he was. Goose took the time to be there for me at a very sad time and also to celebrate a very happy time. I was very grateful for his company.”

Lobbyist Bruce Bereano added, “During all of the years I knew him – not only in Annapolis, but politically around the state – he 100% cared about other people regardless of color, religious, or political affiliation. That was his secret strength.”