John Turpin quits Mount Vernon's Turp's
John Turpin, the general manager at Turp's in Mount Vernon, has left the sports bar that bears his name.
Sunday was his last day, confirmed assistant general manager Andre Barnhill, who'd worked alongside Turpin since they opened the bar a year ago.
"He left because the place wasn't working out the way he wanted it to," Barnhill said. "He's been offered other opportunities and he wants to spend more time with his family."
Turpin couldn't be reached for comment.
The bar will not change its name.
Turpin opened the bar a year ago to make up for the absence of sports bars in the Midtown-Belvedere neighborhood. It was named after him by owners the Jay Group, who also own Jay's Deli and XS cafe.
The bar replaced upscale bistro Neo Viccino, and has become popular with students and neighbors as the only sports bar in the area that isn't Mick O'Shea's or the Midtown Yacht Club.
Turpin himself became a neighborhood fixture. He had been an employee of the company for a decade, Barnhill said.
The old boss' goodbye party Sunday was meant to be small, but regulars kept popping in to pay their respects.
"Tons of people came by asking, 'is Turp around? I just wanted to do one last shot with him," Barnhill said. He added Turpin decided to leave only a few weeks ago.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
he wants to spend more time with his family."
Sounds like he's running for office
Posted by: B>) | October 5, 2010 8:41 AM
He has a kid now. He's doing the right thing. Good man, Turp.
Posted by: MTVRN local | October 5, 2010 8:57 AM
Hey, no review on the Legwarmers at Ram's Head last week or Vanilla Ice or Sister Hazel this upcoming Friday???
Posted by: anon;) | October 5, 2010 9:20 AM
Where is Vanilla Ice going to be Friday?
Posted by: Anonymous | October 5, 2010 9:55 AM
Turp's has done what it was supposed to do and that's make a decent sports bar in Mt. Vernon. They also have an attractive staff.
Posted by: Josh | October 5, 2010 10:49 AM
not to be nit picking but how do you say one neighborhood in the title (Mt. Vernon) then another in the body of the post (Midtown Belvedere) that is sloppy at best.
I wish Turp the best- I for one know it's hard running something you don't own and your name is on it...
Posted by: Tif | October 5, 2010 10:52 AM
@Tif- I love your jewelry.
Did he get another job? If so, where is he heading...
Did he have a falling out with the ownership after 10 years?
Just sounds like there is a little bit more to this story.
Posted by: anon;) | October 5, 2010 11:22 AM
not to be nit picking but how do you say one neighborhood in the title (Mt. Vernon) then another in the body of the post (Midtown Belvedere)
I thought these were synonyms.
Posted by: Josh | October 5, 2010 11:32 AM
I could be wrong but I think (because I've lived in Midtown Belvedere and thought I lived in Mt. Vernon) that everything North of Chase and East of Charles is Midtown Belvedere
Posted by: Tif | October 5, 2010 11:36 AM
Motion to rename it C.H.U.D.'S (formerly known as Turp's)
Posted by: Sam Sessa | October 5, 2010 11:38 AM
I've never heard anyone actually say Midtown Belvedere.
Posted by: Josh | October 5, 2010 11:42 AM
The midtown belvedere association touts it all the time. "Keep Midtown Belvedere safe- keep Midtown Belvedere clean" etc., etc.
Posted by: Tif | October 5, 2010 11:58 AM
@Josh- I looked at your comment above about the attractive staff- were you there on Halloween? yabba yabba!
Posted by: Tif | October 5, 2010 12:03 PM
It's pronounced Mister Belvedere
Posted by: goodwillsidis | October 5, 2010 12:05 PM
Motion to rename it C.H.U.D.'S (formerly known as Turp's)
Motion to amend previous motion and rename it XTreme C.H.U.D.'s
Posted by: B>) | October 5, 2010 12:11 PM
Vanilla Ice will be at Mex Tequila Bar this weekend. And yes everyone, I work at Mex.
Posted by: Chris G | October 5, 2010 12:29 PM
Vanilla Ice will be at Mex Tequila Bar this weekend. And yes everyone, I work at Mex.
Posted by: Chris G | October 5, 2010 12:30 PM
Vanilla Ice won't be at Mex Tequilla Bar this weekend. I do not work at Mex..I'm just a regular commenter...
Posted by: Chris G | October 5, 2010 12:37 PM
I should make an effort to go on Halloween, then?
Posted by: Josh | October 5, 2010 12:37 PM
Like all those Jay's RG places on that block of Charles St., Turp's is overpriced with mediocre food at best. But, since it's the only sports bar in the Mt. Vernon area, I go there to watch games I couldn't see on cable/network TV. Just make sure your belly is full before you go...
Posted by: Sean | October 5, 2010 12:42 PM
@Sean you gotta be kidding me-Turp's is the cheapest place to eat in uh Mount Belvedere. The food quality is -eh what you pay for.
@Josh it was like Caligula- and the waitress dressed as a stewardess in the thigh high boots...
Posted by: Tif | October 5, 2010 1:27 PM
DROOL
Posted by: Josh | October 5, 2010 2:18 PM
I was not dressed as a stewardess...I was a Marine Corps Sargeant. It was sad that no one realized that. I'm up for suggestions for this halloween
Posted by: liz | October 8, 2010 8:20 PM
how were supposed to know that- I never saw Gomer Pyle being addressed by someone in that uniform. Whatever it was it was hawt!!!
Posted by: Tif | October 11, 2010 1:22 PM
XTREME C.H.U.D.S 2NDED
Posted by: Evan | October 11, 2010 2:11 PM
The person who says Turps is over-priced must not be going during happy hour, or Mon-Thurs nights when they run half priced specials, or actually looking at the prices on the menu which are way cheaper than Fells, Canton, or Fed Hill's "bar food".
Posted by: abby | October 11, 2010 7:45 PM
I wish Turp's was more C.H.U.D.'sy.
Posted by: Owl Meat Ghoul | October 11, 2010 9:15 PM