A Tribute to My Nephew Bob: The Heart of The Boom Boom Room
Today, we take a moment to celebrate not just our beloved venue, The Boom Boom Room, but also the incredible journey we undertook, guided by the unwavering support of my nephew, Robert Arthur Busch. His dedication and tenacity were instrumental in turning our dreams into reality, and I want to share our story as a tribute to him.
A Fateful Day at Blondie's Coffee Shop
In 2019, on Brandi’s birthday, we found ourselves sitting at Blondie’s Coffee Shop. Little did we know that a simple glance down the street would lead to a life-changing moment. As I looked down, I spotted the old Jive N Wail Piano Bar, and to my surprise, it was empty. It sparked an idea: what if we explored this space?
As fate would have it, I discovered that my nephew Bob, a talented commercial real estate agent at Gundaker Real Estate in St. Louis, was representing the property. I reached out to him, unsure if the owners would even consider us for the space. Bob, with his characteristic determination, assured me he would do his best to make it happen.
Navigating Challenges
When Bob contacted the landlord, we learned that they had been considering us for the space just weeks before! However, the reality of the situation hit us hard: it was a vast and beautiful space, but we worried about whether we could afford it. There were moments when it felt like we were fighting an uphill battle, but Bob remained steadfast in his belief that we could make it work.
It took several months of negotiations, and there were times when we doubted if this venture would ever come to fruition. But Bob’s persistence paid off, and by December 2019, we finally secured the lease for the space. We were filled with excitement and anticipation!
The Road to Opening
As we began planning our move, we set our sights on a May opening in 2020. But in April, COVID-19 hit, causing restaurants and venues to close their doors. We faced uncertainty and fear, wondering if we would ever be able to open. We had already moved our belongings into the new space, and our previous lease was about to expire. It felt like everything was crumbling around us.
Then, amidst the chaos, tragedy struck. The stress of the pandemic and the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on Bob. He was a very social person, and living alone during such a difficult time took a toll. Bob experienced a seizure, resulting in a devastating fall in his beautiful high-rise condo. We lost him far too soon, and the pain of his absence is something I carry with me every day.
His funeral was a heart-wrenching experience. I was consumed by grief, and for a moment, I thought about giving up on everything we had worked for. But after a few weeks of reflection, I realized I couldn’t let Bob’s hard work and dreams go to waste. With a heavy heart, I returned to building The Boom Boom Room, determined to honor his memory and the vision we shared.
The Moment We’d Waited For
As the months stretched on, there were times we wanted to give up, but Bob’s unwavering spirit inspired us to keep pushing forward. Finally, the day arrived when we could open our doors to the public. We launched our first shows, and in just two hours, we sold out. The tears flowed as we celebrated this momentous occasion, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.
On Jim’s birthday, we finally opened The Boom Boom Room to the world. We had built something truly special, and people were ready to join us for an unforgettable experience. Our shows sold out all winter, and we knew we had created a vibrant community.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Bob, this tribute is for you. Your commitment, belief in our vision, and relentless pursuit of success made all the difference. You navigated challenges and turned obstacles into opportunities, helping us create a place that brings joy and entertainment to so many.
To anyone reading this, remember: whatever you’re going through, don’t give up. The road may be difficult, but with passion and determination, incredible things can happen. Just like The Boom Boom Room, dreams can flourish when nurtured by hard work and love.
Thank you, Bob, for being the heart of our story. We couldn’t have done it without you.