Slim's Pickins: Ambush or jest?

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

By Tyler Alford

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Last week, I described an incident I witnessed between long-time Jackson resident Tom Woodhouse and Snake River Brew Pub bartender Matt Wilkins [“Reflections on Fischer,” June 30], in which it appeared that Wilkins was threatening Woodhouse.

After both positive and negative feedback from the parties involved, as well as other community members, I sat down with Woodhouse to discuss the incident, the Brew Pub and service in Jackson Hole.
JH Weekly: So, what happened, in your mind, that I saw?

Tom Woodhouse: What you saw was accurate. I did have on my flashing light, but I had that on the night before, too. Matt [Wilkins, SRB bartender] and I had already interacted about the light and he actually thought it was funny, and he had joked with me the night before.

So, when he came out from across the bar, you’re right, he did ... do what you saw, but it was completely friendly and in a joking manner. Matt and I do have a history, and I think you know that. I think that might be part of what you saw. But we got through that a long time ago. Matt does nothing but treat me with respect these days.

JHW: How do you feel about service at the Brew Pub as a whole?

TW: Well, again, I understand that not everyone is treated as I am. I can only deal with my experience. I’m pretty sure they have an understanding of their weaknesses, and I also think that part of it just comes from the fact that there are certain times of the year when they just get slammed and it’s harder for them to give service. They have a hard job.

As a former cab driver in this town for 10 years, I understand that. You don’t always deal with people that you want to deal with, and somehow you gotta get past all that. I mean, I’ve always said that you don’t really go to the Brew Pub for service, and my experiences for the first 10 years that I went there were different than what they are now because I didn’t live in town and I wasn’t there everyday.
Now I live in town ... and I’m there everyday and they know that and they treat me accordingly.

JHW: How do you feel the hospitality industry has changed here?

TW: You know, I don’t know. I don’t work in the service industry. I just experience it from the outside. My overall experience in this town is really good. Any place I go I get good service, but again, I’ve been here for 20 years ... and when I walk into a place they recognize my face. They also understand that I say please and thank you and that I appreciate what people do for me and I tend to tip them accordingly. So, for me I can’t comment on the summer residents’ experiences in terms of the industry because i don’t really participate in that.

JHW: Is there anything else you want to say about the Brew Pub?

TW: I think I said it all in my letter. I have very few problems with anyone anywhere in this town. I felt badly for Matt and I felt badly for the Brew Pub, because that was not an accurate portrayal of what my experiences are there. They were ... truly upset by it because I don’t think it is their intention to give people bad service.

JHW: And I don’t think it ever is. It’s never malicious, but when it does happen, sometimes it does need to be brought to attention.

TW: I agree, and in the past when that has happened to me, I have brought it to the attention of the right people.

JHW: Well, thanks again.

TW: Sure, I’m glad we could clear this all up. JHW

Photo of Tom Woodhouse, courtesy Tom Woodhouse


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Slim's Pickins: Ambush or jest? | Planet JH News Article: Restaurants And Dining

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