Page 18 - San Angelo

began with a voluntary cover charge, but once the excitement began to catch on, they also drew attention of the city offcials and the fre marshal. Numerous changes were required to stay in business and keep hosting concerts which initiated the changes for the building’s metamorphosis into The Diner at Sealy Flats. “The city offcials and city government have also been invaluable,” Ron adds. “They were so helpful through the renovations and made the process easier than we expected.” The renovation process for the diner required more time, creativity, and money than initially projected, but Rod and Denise consider the outcome and response more than worth the effort. “People told us we were crazy, and we began to think they were right. But San Angelo has been amazingly supportive,” Rod laughs.

Naturally, The Diner at Sealy Flats started with the support of local bands; however, the venue has now gained statewide and national attention. Local bands and musicians still frequent the stage, maintaining the local support of music, but bands from Austin regularly visit Sealy Flats. More recently, nationally known bands have begun contacting Sealy Flats for booking, only causing the caliber of music to positively increase and exposing San Angelo to new sounds.

“Of course we still have our local bands come and play, but we take known Austin bands by reference, and we usually know the national bands that contact us. We just have a range of really great musicians that want to play here. We feel so lucky,” Rod explains. The Diner at Sealy Flats also has an exciting series of events planned for the summer and upcoming year. They usually have monthly specials, especially in the summer which include a Friday night fsh fry, Independence Day celebration, Jazz Walk Party, and