Local Pub Owner Prepares To Impress

Marty Duffy stands behind the bar at the Cellar Peanut Pub on Monday, just hours after finding out he would take part in the New York City Food And Wine Festival.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Fans and friends joined together online to help send one man to New York. Meeting with Duffy on Monday, he was getting in the mood by listening to a bit of Frank Sinatra and New York New York.

Marty Duffy, owner of the Cellar Peanut Pub, will soon be on his way, with wife Betsy, to New York to represent Oskaloosa and his business to some of the best in the food and drink industry at the New York City Food And Wine Festival. “It’s going to be really cool to tell them about Oskaloosa, the Pub. It’s going to be awesome.” says Duffy.

Duffy was entered into the contest by his wife Betsy, and with the aid of social media, a good product and a dedicated clientele, Duffy’s campaign ended with him and his bloody mary in 5th place nationally. He finds it humbling and “really cool” that “I get to do something like this”.

The Cellar Peanut Pub is the only representative from Iowa, and the first place in the voting is from Michigan. Two contestants from Louisiana will make the trip with representatives from California, Ohio, Florida and North Carolina also representing  the top 8. Duffy and the Cellar Peanut Pub represent the smallest market of the bunch. “I never thought in a million years,” Duffy said of him being voted in against such larger markets.

Duffy is excited to be able to showcase his talents in front of TV reality chefs and personalities. “It’s going to be interesting.” “I’m not the type of guy to brag about my bloody mary, but I’d just rather see a customer be happy about my bloody mary and then go and tell 4 or 5, 6, 10 or whatever friends. That’s really cool for me.”

The trip will include airfare, hotel and the ability for them to enjoy the festival for the three days. If Duffy were to be selected as one of the top two, there would then be an opportunity to then be part of a TV show in Miami. “My odds are better than the thousands that were in it,” Duffy says.

The Cellar Peanut Pub made the move in the past year from its old location on North Market to its current location in the old Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad depot building. Marty and his wife Betsy have owned the business since 2002.

It doesn’t take long to see the passion Duffy has for his business and the people that help make it possible.

“I couldn’t have done it without people voting,” says Duffy. He believes that the recent visit by RAGBRAI may have also been a boost to him in the competition. His recent move has also sparked interest from out-of-town visitors. Frequent visits by residents of Des Moines, Grinnell, Ottumwa and others shows the location is quickly becoming a destination and attraction.

“We’re trying to run a cool place here that people can have a great atmosphere and enjoy themselves,” says Duffy. “We try to run a good ship.”

“It’s fun to watch it grow,” Duffy says of the evolution of the Pub since its move. “We want people to come to this building.”

“I have a passion for selling craft beer,” Duffy added. He says that with his wife’s passion for marketing the business and location, they believe that continued growth is possible.

That passion is obvious with the 536 different varieties of craft beer available. That puts the Cellar Peanut Pub in the top 5 in the state of Iowa in regards to selection available. “I need a bigger cooler,” Duffy says smiling. He adds that the demand is high, “people are drinking good beer in Oskaloosa.” He likes being able to provide beer selections “that they’ve never tried,” and they don’t have to leave Oskaloosa to go to Des Moines for a craft beer or a really good bloody mary.

Duffy believes it’s important to support his fellow Iowans. “It’s important for me to sell Iowa beer.” There are plenty of options for a discerning palate to choose from at the Cellar Peanut Pub.

“I believe in customer service,” Duffy says. “You don’t have to be here, you want to come here. When you want to come here, we should serve you the best way we can.”

Marty Duffy and his wife Betsy will be at the New York City Food And Wine Festival from October 17 to October 20 for the ABSOLUT Best Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by the Cast of Chopped. The contest will take place from 12pm to 3pm on the 20th.