The Mucky Duck Pub

1 week ago

We're up and taking care of buisness at the Duck!

We'll be open our normal hours today thanks to a couple of our managers! ... See MoreSee Less

The Mucky Duck Pub

1 week ago

SNOW! It's going to snow. I am in OKC, my truck and plow are at the airport. The key is in my pocket. Long and short of it, if any our our customers has a plow and would be willing to do the parking lot, that would be great. Can trade food, drinking vouchers, cash or whatever. Cheers, MJ. ... See MoreSee Less

The Mucky Duck Pub

2 weeks ago

In honor of three adorable little duckies we will be serving up our 3 gingers drink special! Only $5

It is light, tasty and refreshing and only here while supplies last! ... See MoreSee Less

The Mucky Duck Pub

2 weeks ago

We are SO excited! We got the good stuff! Straight from England, with a couple stops along the way, imported New castle beer! ... See MoreSee Less

The Mucky Duck Pub

3 weeks ago

... See MoreSee Less

The Mucky Duck Pub

3 weeks ago

Warning: It’s not about the play structure!
There are arguably many things that make the pub special in the eyes of our customers. We are loved by many of you and it always makes my day when I hear that from you. You all have your reasons. One of the reasons that I love the pub so much is because of you – our customers. When people tell me how much they love the Mucky Duck I often reply ‘we are what we are because of you – without great customers we are nothing’. I really mean that. However, there are a few things that stand out – a few little quirks you won’t find anywhere else – things that make us just a little bit unique. Two of these are obvious as soon as you pull into the parking lot. One of course is the MG car that’s been a part of the pub since we first opened. Procured from Skunk River Restorations for cheap as it was mostly beyond help, my original idea was to put it on the roof with headlights shining out towards Highway 69. However, concerns about weight loading, the cost of getting it up there and potential interference issues with the airport meant that I ended up putting it where it is now. Over the years it has certainly been a talking point, and it certainly makes a great planter in the Summer. Oh, and one more thing, it has proved to be a pretty good hiding spot for a micro geo-cache. The second and more obvious thing is the play structure. Many of you will remember the castle that first stood where the play structure is now. The castle was procured from Reiman Gardens following their popular Birdhouse Exhibit. Some of you might remember that it had a spire turret when it was at Reiman Gardens but as somebody pointed out to me almost a week after we had it delivered, the turret was missing! We strongly suspect that it ended up somewhere near the University Avenue / Highway 30 underpass, but a quick search of the area did not turn up any evidence of the suspected mishap. A new turret was eventually constructed and the castle entertained kids and adults for a number of years. It eventually became difficult to maintain and so was replaced by the current play structure. The current play structure has been a love - even a godsend I once heard from one young family - for customers and non-customers alike.
So, why am I telling you all this? Well, the awful reality is that both of these things need to go – permanently. Our insurance company – Illinois Casualty, yes, I will name them – have dropped us citing the play structure as an unacceptable risk. From Day 1, they were never super happy with the structure but asked for some changes (fences, gates and cameras) to be made which we complied with, at considerable expense as it turned out. After we had made these changes, we figured all would be good. But no, now we have been dropped with no opportunity to negotiate. They might have asked us to remove it but no, they have denied renewal. And the really bad news is that our agent has been unable to find any insurance company that will cover us with the play structure or the car. Unfortunately, we are now forced to remove both. Even worse, we have until February 12th to do so. I am just baffled by this – especially the car. It’s a bloody planter!! It’s a giant outdoor vase, for flowers. Maybe they are worried the bees it attracts will sting somebody?? That’s all I can think of. There’s no engine, no oil, no gas tank, nothing dangerous! Frankly this sucks. As Americans we spend our time concerned with how the Government is taking away our freedoms but it’s not the government. Small business is being crippled by insurance costs and other expenses. Now we are told what to do and how to operate by insurance companies. Rant over. Sorry about that.
Well, for now we have a play structure here that is available free of charge to a good cause with just one caveat – you need to come and take it down and it needs to be this week! I can help with transportation and maybe a little bit with the disassembly. Send a PM or call the pub if interested. We will be having a memorial service for the play structure and the car - keep an eye on Facebook for detail. Cheers, MJ. ... See MoreSee Less