where there’s a will’s…

by Bing Futch

Will Walker had never planned on owning a popular Orlando hotspot. He’s just always had an eye for what people wanted and apparently, the people want Will’s Loch Haven Pub. Celebrating three years of friendly service , amazing shows and legendary parties, this unassuming establishment has gained a reputation as the “CBGB’S of Orlando”. But it’s a great deal less highbrow than all that. Will prides himself on keeping a certain aura of white trash about the place so that no-one gets above their raisin’ while hanging out with the locals. “There used to be a lot of rednecks here,” says Will. “But we’ve got a good mixture of people now. “ While sitting at the long bar inside the main room, one may exchange words with mechanics, lawyers, network technologies geeks and bikers– but mostly twenty-somethings from all walks of life, hanging out and dangling their feet in the stream. There’s free pool during the day, a game room filled with everything from foosball to darts and pinball. A recent expansion allows serious gamers to concentrate on their trick shots in a back room that’s wired for sound while the front room jives and gyrates to the sounds of whatever local or national act may be there that night.

The music is what Will’s is truly famous for.

Sandwiched in between its eclectic and nasty jukebox and the Sunday night sounds of DJ Jeff Kaplan are the cream of Orlando’s crop. A who’s who of local musical talent that call Will’s their Home Base. Will was the first person to truly foster the local musical scene that has been in its infancy for the past six years. Bands like Cluj, Gargamel!, Kow, Princeton’s Guff and Bughead began their high-profile histories inside the dimly lit confines of the pub and regularly hang out there when they’re not indulging the muse. It’s a place where they can escape the stifling politics of downtown and its entertainment cliques. Beer’s cheap on Wednesdays too, $1.50 a bottle–which sounds good to the spare change jingling in a starving artist’s pocket.

Will Walker knows poor. He’s been there and continues to hover on the edge, thanks to a whim that he had three years ago. His father owned the property that the pub now squats on along with the Loch Haven Motor Inn. The rustic motel had served as an off-and-on home for the teen- aged Will and while hanging out in the lobby one day, he suggested to his father that they begin stocking cigarettes, gum and other front- counter items. The idea paid off with increased revenue and the slacker entrepreneur had his first official assignment; buyer for the motel convenience store. He graduated to actually running the motel for awhile before planning to build himself an apartment out of the property next door. It was an antique store at one time but had fallen into bad repair and the idea came to Will; turn it into a bar and grab some of the cash from people staying in the motel, the two properties would go hand in hand. His father okayed the project and it was on September 1, 1995 that Will’s Loch Haven Pub first opened its doors. According to Will, “It was me and three other people,” he laughs. “Everybody else was at Wally’s.” But soon, some of the patrons of that pub, located just up 17-92, were hanging out at the new digs. It was for the one year anniversary that “Willstock” was arranged, a one-week festival featuring bands that were desperately seeking a venue to play in the tough-to- crack downtown club scene. The show began a tradition of opportunity that has continued to the present day.

“Will’s Pub, we love you!” says Will, answering the phone and looking quizzically at the wall. “Who’s playing tonight?” He looks over at me and smiles mischievously. “That doesn’t matter, get your ass down here- -it’ll be fun.”

Upon walking into the small turquoise building, one’s eyes must adjust to the dim light. Then the eyes will most likely begin to wander across the walls, taking in all of the knick-knacks and carefully placed objets d’art. You’ll more than likely see one of three permanent bar-staff, pouring or opening beers from an impressive collection of imports, domestics and microbrews. Will can usually be found behind the same bar , answering the phone, booking bands and basically keeping busy every minute that he’s there. It’s obvious that he values his customers, particularly the ones that he can rag on and hassle. His themed parties bring the creatures of the night out in their pajamas, lingerie or appropriate redneck garb. For his now-historic White Trash Bash, he decorated the pub with bales of hay and booked bluegrass bands, serving up fried catfish along with potluck goodies brought by participating groups. The event ended up costing Will a ton of cash, but “everyone had a good time, and that’s what matters.” he says.

As Will’s On Mills heads into its third year, one can only imagine what the vital pub will foster in the future. More local bands will get their start, more shoulder-packed parties are a guarantee and who knows? Maybe that cheerful social harmony that exists within the place will set the standard for a kinder, gentler music scene that isn’t based on petty jealousies and privileged brown-nosing. Plenty of networking, without the fake attitudes, has taken place at Will’s–and he likes it that way.

“It’s really nice knowing that you’re bringing people together,” he smiles. “That they aren’t beatin’ the shit out of each other.”