Saturday was the last night at the Ocean View for the ownership of Ron and Peggy Jackson who have owned the popular bar and restaurant for 36 years. The place was packed, as always, this time with friends, family and former employees.
On the last night of Ronald and Margaret (Peggy) Jackson’s ownership of the Ocean View Restaurant and Tavern, one thing was clear — the Ocean View was not just a restaurant for their customers; it was part of their family.
For the past 36 years, the Jacksons have been at the helm of the Oak Bluffs restaurant and from that perch have seen their children, their staff and their devoted clientele grow up. In December, the Jacksons sold the restaurant to local restaurateur and Oak Bluffs selectman Mike Santoro.
Sue Fennessy started working for the Ocean View 31 years ago. “I was young, I was pregnant, I had my kids, now I have grandchildren. We went through a lot of changes,” she said. “It’s always been a nice family restaurant. I’m definitely going to miss them, they’re good people.”
All five of the Jacksons’ children — Ronnie, Sharon, Bob, Mike and Bill — have worked at the restaurant and on Saturday night, daughter Sharon tended to a full bar as her parents sat close by at a table filled with family.
Daughter Sharon Jackson keeps the glasses full during Patriots playoff game.
Daughter Sharon Jackson keeps the glasses full during Patriots playoff game.
“I have mixed emotions,” Sharon Jackson said. “Thirty years. It’s bittersweet.”
But there were no tears, just an abundance of smiles and hugs as customers shared fond memories and thank-yous with the Jacksons.
“We’re gonna miss ya,” said retired teacher Quinton Bannister as he gave Peggy a hug. “We want to thank you.”
“Back in my day when I was bartending, it was a lot of regulars,” remembered the couple’s oldest son Ronnie Jackson Jr.
“Oh, wasn’t it something?” said Mr. Bannister.
“We had so much fun,” said Ronnie Jr. “So much fun.”
“It’s a big change,” said Ron Sr. “It’s going to be a transition for us. Everybody’s sad. It won’t be the same.”
“I’m going to know what it’s like to be a tourist on Martha’s Vineyard,” added Peggy.
“It’s been a long journey but what I’ll say as I leave, it’s been a dyn-o-mite journey,” said Mr. Bannister. “I’ll be seeing you around.”
It was the warm atmosphere and familiar faces that customers said kept them coming back again and again.
“Rick and I met here at the bar 33 years ago,” said Jeri Brown. “When we moved back we bought a house right up the street thinking well, we could walk here.”
The Browns, their daughter Emme and friend Doreen Marino shared a table in the tavern just as they have for years.
Peggy Jackson (in purple) shares a moment with her regulars.
Peggy Jackson (in purple) shares a moment with her regulars.
“We’ve probably come in two or three times this week to make sure we could have all of our favorites,” said Emme Brown, now age 30.
“We’ve sat here in big storms, even when the power goes out,” said Ms. Marino. “It’s not a restaurant, it’s an institution.”
“And failing that . . . there’s the chicken pot pie,” said Rick Brown, who enjoyed his favorite Ocean View dish for perhaps the last time.
Saturday night seemed like what every night must have been like at the restaurant. Ron Sr. added logs to the brick fireplace, Oak Bluffs police officers stopped in for takeout, seats emptied and quickly filled back up in the bar. The adjacent dining room hosted several large groups watching football on the big screen televisions, with both rooms erupting in cheers when the Patriots clinched a win in the final minutes of the final quarter.
There were no grand gestures, no balloons, no speeches. And that’s exactly how Peggy wanted it.
“We had a great run and we just very quietly want to sail off into the sunset and wish Mike Santoro the best wishes. We think he’s going to do a great job,” she said. “Now come on over here and meet the family.”
The end of an era.
Comments
thanks for the memories Ron &
cheryl holenko vineyard haventhanks for the memories Ron & Peg!!! and there are ALOT of them!!! enjoy your time off & come see me for breakfast every now & then! :) xoxo
Hey Peg!
Joyce SherrHey Peg!
Finally we'll see you on the tennis court, in a kayak , and out to dinner with the girls!!! No more work excuses!!!!
Congrats to you and all the staff and family....What a great ride!
OMG, never thought I'd see
Michelle Blake Ashby, Ma (formerly of Oak Bluffs)OMG, never thought I'd see this day! I loved my 7 years hostessing for my surrogate parents. So many memories...love you all.
You had a very special place
Dean Rosentha, EdgartownYou had a very special place there, and a great chicken pot pie that my parents loved. You were reasonably priced. You were comfortable in your own skin, friendly, and nice. Well done, good luck in your next steps...on Martha's Vineyard.
Our best wishes to both of
Bob and Patricia Wheeler Bellevue, WAOur best wishes to both of you and your family. As next door neighbors, patrons and friends, we have enjoyed every minute of our relationships and hope you have also. Remember Hogan the goat, Peggy??!!
Thank you Peg and Ron. Your
Jeff Madison Gay HeadThank you Peg and Ron. Your guidance at the O.V. will surely be missed. Lots of great memories of your ownership.
Our "Cheers" is gone. Now,
John and Mary Newsom Sarasota, FlOur "Cheers" is gone. Now, Ron & Peg, get down here!! I'm starving!
Yes, John has it right: our
Carol OBYes, John has it right: our "Cheers" is gone. I am in a deep depression.
Thanks for the great times
Peter Rollins Maine (now)Thanks for the great times there. I spent many evenings after work at "the view" with friends.
Thank you Jackson family for
Dan Larkosh West TisburyThank you Jackson family for the great food, warm atmosphere and wonderful memories!
So,Mr. Sontoro.......... read
Mel Shatcher BostonSo,Mr. Sontoro.......... read the comments, learn and DON'T CHANGE A THING.
It's working,dont renovate, change the menu, put your "mark" on the place, paint, raise the prices. The crowd will go elsewhwere. The seasonal tourist wont save the place.
They have plenty of bad places to eat.
Could not have been better
Mark Hardy Lauderdale by the Sea, FlCould not have been better said.
Please keep it the institution it already is, all the way around.
I hope the onion soup stays
Michael RebelloI hope the onion soup stays the same love those Jackson's good luck
Over 25 years ago we met at
Mark and Kathy (Allen) Pelkey Torrington, CTOver 25 years ago we met at the OV where we both worked a second job. Now we're married with 2 kids in college...we owe it all to you! Congratulations and best wishes...we couldn't be happier for you!
So I had to leave the island
Nancy Gardella White Plains, New YorkSo I had to leave the island for the winter to take care of my mother and look at what you did once I was out of town and couldn't supervise you????????????????You all were/are my family and what a great time we always had! I have more than enough OV stories to fill a book! Think I'll start writing!!!!
Best wishes Mr and Mrs
Marcia Maciel Binninger Fall River, MABest wishes Mr and Mrs Jackson in your retirement! You have made many memories for a lot of us!!
the Jacksons running the
Linda LaBell Oak Bluffs, MAthe Jacksons running the Ocean View will be truly missed. Time to fully retire and enjoy the calm. I will miss your hugs, and jokes Peggy, but I am sure I will see you out and about. XO
Sharon, your family is
Ed & Betty Trider The Woodlanda, TexasSharon, your family is leaving lots of big shoes to fill. We hope the new guy is up to the awesome task he has to maintain the same happy family atmosphere that you're leaving behind. On the other hand, now that you've "retired" your family will be able to have more quality time together
Waitressing at the OV in the
Suzanne (Lenahan) Nyfeler Richmond, VirginiaWaitressing at the OV in the late '80's and early '90's you were like family to me. Never afraid to roll up your sleeves and get to work, you set a great example that I remember and tell my children today. I remember Ron working the 'Hobart' machine while Peggy was stocking the salad bar. Best wishes to both of you and your family.
I was in there last week.
T Bone MVYI was in there last week. The place was desolate. How can new owners drive away all the regulars and locals in only a couple of seasons? Sad to see what Ocean View has become.
It's impossible to define
LJ EdgartownIt's impossible to define what the OV meant to Islanders. Over 30 years of family, holiday, friends gathering where we felt at home. Cheers "where everyone knows your name" is the closest comparison.
Now it's gone.
How did the fire start after almost 40 years without a problem? Just a few years after the Jackson's retired? All Islanders think the fire wasn't accidental.
Which party of power is destroying MV? Family,faith and unity are kryptonite for demoncrats.
Cc:MG
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