Aaron Kraut/The Gazette The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton, shown on Thursday, has been closed since early last week.

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In its more than 30 years, Wheaton’s Royal Mile Pub became the place for jam bands, chantey singers, regulars and others from the region seeking the distinctive environment of one of the area’s only Scottish-style restaurants.

Since Jan. 9, the pub has sat empty, causing many longtime customers to question the future of the popular Price Avenue hangout.

Owner Mike Moore said the bar was going through a restructuring phase and declined to say how long it might remain closed.

“There's going to be a lot of rumors and conjecture regarding the restructuring. Many people think they know what's going on, while others respond in dismay,” Moore wrote in an email. “A number of things need to be done. That, however, does not spell doom.”

The pub’s closing was a hot topic of discussion last week on local blog Wheaton Calling. According to the blog, Moore told a passerby the bar will be reopening, but the building is in need of repairs and has a number of electrical issues.

Mac McTigue, co-owner of Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle bar in Bethesda, said he discussed a partnership with Moore in November to save the pub from financial problems. Those plans fell apart late in the process. McTigue said the business wasn’t in a viable financial position but he continued to advise Moore until recently.

“There isn’t another Scottish pub like that in the city, in the whole area. There are none that I know of, and also for Wheaton itself it’s very important,” McTigue said. “I’ve been there to christenings; I’ve been there for wedding; and I’ve been there for funerals. It would be an absolute monumental loss to the community.”

Moore did not respond to questions about the financial status of the pub. He owns the building, which on Thursday was dark. There was a stack of cardboard boxes near a window and an unplugged electrical appliance above the main entrance.

“It’s gonna be a great loss if we are unable to continue that tradition if the pub closes,” said Peter Walker, who played his Scottish waterpipes at a monthly jam session he organized at the pub with about a dozen other members.

Vince Wilding has been a regular at the pub for more than 10 years. He helped schedule a Burns Night Supper, a traditional celebration of Scotch poet Robert Burns, on Jan. 25 at the pub. Wilding is part of the Ship’s Company Chanteymen, a group of locals who staged a monthly sea chantey sing at The Pub since 1996.

“I hope that Mike is able to pull through. He’ll have a lot of upset people,” Wilding said. “I have always liked the [Royal Mile Pub] for its ambiance.”

Ben Williams is another regular who was introduced to the pub by a friend in 1995, when he was visiting from Houston. He moved to the area in 2000 and has noticed a number of out-of-towners flock to the pub during the years.

“It’s definitely drawing people from far and wide,” Williams said.

In September, Moore and the owners of the nearby Limerick Pub got together to create the first Harp & Thistle Celtic Festival on Price Avenue. Moore and Limerick owners Tom Stanton and Neil Foley said they hoped the ticketed event, which featured music, food and vendors, would become an annual festival. The Limerick Pub opened in March on the corner of Price Avenue and Elkin Street.

Moore said he was hoping for about 2,000 attendees, but cold and rainy weather contributed to a smaller showing.

“I’m just hearing rumors to be honest. I feel bad because I started out there 30 years ago as a silly youngster, playing music and playing darts,” Foley said. “Now it seems to be closing as we’re starting up. I had hoped for the opposite of that.”

akraut@gazette.net