The Greene Turtle hosts numerous events
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille hosts numerous events
Whether the focus is on football or motorcycles, it’s all about connecting with the community.
Pranav Desai and his partner Jiger Patel of The Integritty Group have come up with a couple of ways to make good on their promise to fully engage The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille patrons and others who may not yet have discovered their casual dining location that recently took up residence in the former Old Country Buffet at 2800 DeKalb Pike in East Norriton.
A partnership with Villanova University’s football team will bring the “Talking Villanova Football With Mark Ferrante” radio show to broadcast live directly from the sports bar every Tuesday through Nov. 13, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Each Tuesday, Corona beers will also be featured for $4, along with “Kids Eat Free” menu specials and double points for rewards members.
“Corporate office has a relationship with all the universities, so the contract was arranged through them for this football season,” noted Desai about the Maryland-based
franchisor. “It’s what we wanted to do when we opened, bring local people to come to our restaurant and enjoy the sports. We’re a sports bar, of course, but this is more of a community gathering. Sports is a big part of it, but not the only thing. Everyone is invited to join us each week as we celebrate our favorites: sports, food and good company “
Steve Pinone will host the weekly radio show, alongside coach Ferrante. Each week’s show will provide a weekly recap of Villanova football games and a preview of upcoming contests.
Throughout the program, Pinone and Ferrante will discuss all aspects of the Wildcats football program and will talk about CAA Football, and offer news and notes from around the country. There will also be special guests on the show each week, including Villanova University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jay Wright. The show will air live on 610 ESPN Radio.
Ferrante added, via a press release: “The partnership with The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille in East Norriton provides Villanova Wildcat fans the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and drinks with their family and friends while celebrating all things Villanova football.”
The philanthropic relationship the restaurant has forged with Hogs & Honeys even before it officially opened its doors on Aug. 6 embraces not only the local charity that serves disadvantaged children in Montgomery County but all Harley aficionados, with Bike Night for Hogs and Honeys Foundation for Kids on Thursday, Sept. 20. The restaurant will discount all food and drinks at The Greene Turtle, including alcohol by 15 percent, during Bike Night for Hogs and Honeys supporters. Live music will be provided by Next Level Entertainment.
Bike Night will feature a check presentation to the Hogs and Honeys organization at 7:15 p.m. for $4,500, raised during a charity lunch the Saturday prior to the restaurant’s opening.
“We hope Bike Night will bring people in to see one another’s bikes, enjoy the music and the discounts and have a good time in our parking lot,” said Desai, who brought the first Greene Turtle to Pennsylvania more than a year ago when he and Patel launched The Greene Turtle in North Wales. “We will have more Bike Nights in the future.”
“With this second location we’re able to expand the brand itself so people can relate and realize they don’t have to travel to North Wales. It’s right here in the neighborhood, a local hangout that draws people from a five-mile radius,” said Desai, who considers the location on DeKalb Pike a real “sweet spot,” given its proximity to King of Prussia Mall.
“What we learned from North Wales is that our brand is better served when there is a demographic mix of upper middle class and middle class,” he allowed. “This has everything, from the high end of Blue Bell and Plymouth to the Norristown side, as well as something in the middle … as well as having the convenience of these major highways.”