NEW LONDON, Conn. (WFSB) – A New London restaurant and bar is getting national recognition. President Trump mentioned Mr. G’s in his commencement address, and it is a staple for the Coast Guard community.
The shoutout in the president’s commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy came as a complete shock to everyone at Mr. G’s. President Trump said it is a place the cadets may have spent a little too much time. Workers at the restaurant say that may be true.
Mr. G’s is a place all the Coast Guard Academy cadets know.
“We’ve been a staple to them over the years, but they’ve also been a staple for us, and we’re very lucky to have them up the street,” said Gail Harrington, a Mr. G’s employee.
Now the small restaurant is getting national recognition from President Trump’s commencement address.
“While everyone has worked and studied hard, some may have spent a little bit too much time at a place called Mr. G’s,” Trump said.
It came as a surprise to many who were listening from inside, including Harrington, who has worked at Mr. G’s for 29 years.
“Nobody expected to hear that out of him. We had a full bar at the time because a lot of people could not get through the roads, so we had a full bar, and everybody heard it, and it was very exciting,” Harrington said.
Peter Gianakos, the owner, said the president mentioning his family business is an honor. But he also wants the focus of the presidential visit to be celebrating the graduates, who he knows well. They come by at least once a week.
“They have fun. It’s close by. They don’t get in trouble hopefully and they have a good time. There is a curfew sometimes so they’re in and out but they have a good time,” Gianakos said.
Since the speech, phones have been ringing off the hook. Gianakos and the staff hope this will bring some new business and send the graduates off with the memories made inside their local bar.
“We were very proud and honored that he mentioned us and thought of the kids,” Harrington said.
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