Times come and go, but The Pennant in South Mission Beach, the quintessential beach bar the past 50 years, just keeps ongoing.
Dick Kovalcheck, a former tuna fisherman who bought The Pennant when he was in his 30s, has owned the institution at 2893 Mission Blvd. for 40 years.
“We’ve got a back room that I’ve leased out to a kitchen crew named South Mission Beach Grill making hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.,” Kovalcheck told Beach & Bay Press holding court on a recent weekday in his bi-level bar with a rooftop deck featuring cocktails and a welcoming, laid-back ambiance.
Discussing how he came to be a restaurateur, Kovalchek said, “I was a tuna fisherman for about 10 years and got up to be a master navigator. I just got tired of floatin’ on the ocean. I caught him (then-owner Jack Elliott) at the right moment. I had saved money from the last few fishing boats I’d been on and my money was good.”
The Pennant did not have a second story, so Kovalcheck added a rooftop deck in 1980 before reopening after remodeling. Named, according to one patron, as a celebration of sports, The Pennant has remained relatively unchanged since then.
“We’re licensed as a bar,” noted Kovalcheck. “Underage kids aren’t supposed to be in here. We cannot have live, amplified music. We don’t do that much anymore.”
The “alchemy” behind The Pennant, that keeps patrons returning, is nothing mysterious.
“It’s where people come to relax after work, or whatever they’re doing, unwind a little bit, watch sports on TV, etc.,” said Kovalcheck of his establishment noting the demographics of the neighborhood have changed over the past four decades.
“Back in the ’80s and ’90s it was more of a younger group,” noted Kovalcheck. “As rents start going up and up there was more value (Mission Beach) to our properties, and there have been more short-term rentals. In 1980 you could buy a cottage for $50,000. Now it’s $500,000 to $1 million. Most of the young people couldn’t afford to stay down here.”
Why are people still coming to The Pennant?
“The ocean is right over there (pointing across the street),” answered Kovalcheck while pointing. That’s the California dream. People dress down when they come here. People are here basically to talk to their pals, or make new pals. Some people like watching sports on TV. Some people like a crowd.”
Added the bar owner, “We’re open year-round, though it gets busier during daylight savings time.”
The Pennant was anticipating getting busier for spring break — but that’s on hold after the City mandated all bars to close during the coronavirus outbreak.
“We get a lot of visitors to this resort area,” concluded Kovalcheck. The Pennant
Where: 2893 Mission Blvd.
Info: 858-488-1671
