DONS’ PLACE HISTORY
Eleven years ago Don and Carolyn Jenkins and Don and Stephanie Manaher purchased a bar on the corner of Truman Avenue and Grinnell St. from the Parks family. Don Jenkins, a corporate attorney from Chicago, and Don Manaher, a newspaper publisher from Indiana, had decided they were finished with Midwest winters, nine to five jobs, and suits and ties, so they brought their families to Key West in the summer of 1998. Known to most Conchs as Che Che’s Bar, the bar quickly became Dons’ Place after the two Dons. Local cab drivers soon nicknamed the place “The Million Dollar Bar”, in reference to the selling price. At first it was a joke. “People thought we were nuts to pay that much for the place, but it soon proved to be a good buy.” said Manaher’s wife Stephanie.
Over the last ten years, Dons’ Place has grown into one of Key West’s favorite locals’ bars. At first, the bar and attached liquor store was a family affair with four of the five Jenkins children and all of the Manaher daughters working in some capacity alongside their parents to make the new venture work. David Jenkins, the oldest of the Jenkins children, worked as the contractor overseeing the renovations of the original bar, enlarging it and making the liquor store smaller.
Although many things have changed in ten years, some things remain the same. Michael Pastore has been the morning bartender for most of those ten years. His wife Nancy joined the staff as general manager about four years ago. The Jenkins have since moved away, although they remain partners in the business. The Manaher daughters finally gave up the Keys life too. Sarah is a social worker in Chicago, Katie is a teacher in Indiana, and Liz is in college in Indiana with her son, the only Conch in the family, Bronson Campo.
Dons’ Place has been involved in a number of local charities as well. Manaher has been a school Adopt a Classroom sponsor for the past seven years for both Horace O’Bryant Middle School, where his wife Stephanie is an English teacher, and Gerald Adams Elementary School. Just recently he has held several lucrative fund raisers for HOB’s Positive Behavior Support System. In addition, Don has supported The Boys and Girls Club, where all of his daughters used to work, in various capacities and fund raisers. Dons’ has also always been involved in the recycling effort and citywide cleanups since the first days in 1998. Members of the staff at one time adopted Rest Beach and cleaned it every Saturday morning for several years. In addition, Dons’ Place has always recycled its bottles from the bar. Manaher and Jenkins and some of their kids used to drive all of the bottles out to the Stock Island twice a week, but they have passed that job on to one of the bar's employees. Recycling is something that the bar owners are passionate about no matter what it costs them.
In addition, Dons’ Place has provided a free Thanksgiving Dinner ten of the past eleven years for its customers and anyone who walks in off the street. The biggest Thanksgiving Dinner was a couple of years ago when Manaher and his family and friends, cooked twelve turkeys in addition to all of the trimmings for their customers.
Dons’ Place has also been providing free food to its numerous football fan customers who gather every Sunday to watch their favorite teams on one of the 17 televisions. Family friend, Dave Kirchoff, has been the chef behind the grill and the customers all bring some kind of delightful dish to share. The football Sunday cookouts have been a mainstay at Dons’ since the beginning.
Dons’ Place is open seven days a week from 7:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the morning except for Sundays, when it opens at noon. It consists of a full inside bar with a pool table, nine television sets, dart board, and juke box. The liquor store provides beer, wine and liquor for the neighborhood patrons and provides special orders and large orders for parties. The outside tiki bar has eight televisions for sports but also serves in other capacities. It has been rented for birthday parties, weddings and receptions, local fundraisers, and even a couple of baby showers.