 |
|
The Rainbow Cattle Company has a new owner. Sort of. Lynn Kratochvil has only recently become the sole proprietor of the popular Brattleboro bar. However, his involvement as a partner in the venture goes back many years.
And so does the establishment's commitment to the gay community in the town and the region.
Kratochvil sums up that commitment in his simple mission statement: "This should be a place to go for the community. People can come here for a good time, a family feeling, a place to just get away to."
And that means all kinds of people. Kratochvil says there's been a misconception that the establishment is simply a drag bar. He quickly points out that there is a diverse group of people come to the bar regularly, including friends who happen to be straight. "There is no segregation here; we're all here together."
That's not to say there isn't drag, mind you. Momma, Miss Kitty, and other delightful divas have been known to entertain patrons with their talents in support of the Brattleboro AIDS Project and other causes.
In fact, the Cattle Co. has been a key participant in BAP fundraisers. It routinely hosts shows and events on the organization's behalf and donates the proceeds from cover charges.
More importantly, it's created an atmosphere in which every member of the community can feel welcome.
BAP program coordinator Carey Johnson says that welcoming atmosphere is the reason the bar has been a successful "social arm" in the project's outreach and prevention efforts. That's largely been possible because of its easygoing atmosphere. "I think the bar represents a place that is inclusive of the gay/bi/transgender community. We have realized how important it is to form a partnership out of each other's best interests."
Kratochvil hopes to widen the bar's reach with some changes in the near future. He plans to start customized theme nights that appeal to folks not interested in the clubbing or dance scene.
The one thing he won't change, however, is his bottom line. It's not the financial bottom line. As he puts it, he wants his bar "to be a place where you get a feeling of family."
