Northwood News ♦ December 2012

‘4 Corners Pub’ Opens in ‘Corner Pub’ Location

By Jacquie Bokow

Fans of the “Corner Pub” in Four Corners, which closed in July, will be delighted with the new “4 Corners Pub” which opened in the same location on the Monday before Thanksgiving.

The refurbished space has the same floor plan: a spacious seating area for diners in front and a U-shaped bar in the back. Multiple televisions, set constantly to sporting events, occupy the walls around both rooms.

New owners Mike O’Connell and Brian Smith have been friends for 35 years but this is their first business venture together. Both are locals: O’Connell had two different homes in Woodmoor (he now lives on Kent Island) and Smith — and his wife — graduated from Blair High School.

Owners Brian Smith (left) and Mike O’Connell (right) flank Smith’s son Spenser, who’s their general manager.

Smith’s two sons also work at the restaurant/bar: Spenser is general manager and Dan does the accounting and ordering.

“Everything is fresh, not frozen,” said Smith, and salad “dressings are homemade.”

According to Smith, they replaced about one-quarter of the items off the old “Corner Pub” menu, “adding a few healthier items.”

Besides the usual pizza, burgers, and sandwiches, you can also get crab soup, haddock, salmon, steak, spaghetti with meatballs, and chicken parmesan. Five different salads are also available.

The 4 Corners Pub retains the parking lot of its predecessor.

“Business is through the roof,” said Smith, with a “pretty good lunch business” despite their only having been open less than a week when I visited. “We try to get people in and out” quickly for lunch, said Smith.

The jovial owners say they are planning to make carry-out available, and will shortly have a more limited Late Night Menu after 10:00 p.m.

What Happened to the Old Pub?

According to Steven Greenfeld, the Chapter 7 Trustee, Patricia Howlin is the owner of the property. She leased to Randy Hurowitz (Hurowitz LLC), who was operating The Corner Pub. She sold the business (tables, chairs, ovens, etc.) but leased the property. Hurowitz (pictured at right) was supposed to pay for it over time. She kept a lien on the property until it was paid off, but Hurowitz defaulted on the rent. She was about to take it back when Hurowitz filed for bankruptcy.

Mike O’Connell was best friends with the late Fred Howlin, Jr., Patricia’s husband, who was the son of the Fred Howlin who started Fred & Harry’s Seafood Restaurant in 1945 where Red Maple is now. Patti LaBuda Howlin is a graduate of Northwood High School, class of 1972. ■