By Melissa Wagoner
When Dre Goyer opened the Mt. Angel Public House with his friend Brandon Norbury in 2021 the future looked bright for both the business and the partnership.
Then Feb. 3, 2022, Goyer got a call he never expected – Norbury, a retired Navy SEAL who swam nearly every day, had died of a heart attack while on duty at the Gresham Fire Department where he had served for the past 15 years.
“When he passed, I lost my friend, my business partner and my home,” Goyer said.
The pub also lost its liquor license, which had been in Norbury’s name, as well as its place in line to become an Oregon Lottery retailer – a move Goyer and Norbury had hoped would give their business a boost.
“Having survived in this location with no lottery, that’s huge,” Goyer said. But surviving without lottery sales or a liquor license felt nearly impossible. “Basically, I just relied on the local regulars to support me with a hamburger here and a sandwich there.”
Without serving alcohol, Goyer opened his business up to minors and added an arcade. Then, in March he made another change – he switched the name to Pub 210 East.
“I got my liquor license back and my regulars back,” Goyer said. “And I have a good group of kids that come in to try to beat my high score in Pac-Man.”
In other words, things are looking up. He’s planning a season filled with football, poker, tap takeovers and music.
“And I’m looking into trivia,” he said, describing the bar’s new tagline as “drink, play, feast.”
“Feast” because, “I try to have better food than most bars,” Goyer said, citing a menu that features handcrafted, fresh-made, specialty burgers.
And “drink” because, “I try to keep a little of everything [on tap] so everyone can have a beer here.”
“I am a cicerone by trade,” he explained, referring to the certification, which – like that of a sommelier – implies an exemplary knowledge of beer and its service.
“With my knowledge, if you give me a beer you like, I can point you in the right direction,” he said. “And I can pair it with a meal. I call it beer-ducation.”
It’s just one part of the hospitality that Goyer still prides himself on, no matter how difficult things have been or what name is on the window.
“I hope to still be considered the place to come,” he said.
Pub 210 East
210 E. Charles St., Mount Angel
Hours: 12 – 9 pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10 am – 7 pm Sunday; 12 – 7 pm Monday
503-996-1011; ww.pub210east.com
