‘Yappy Hour’ returns to 124 East Main Street Fridays, 5 – 7 p.m.

ViNoVA is opening its doors to resurrect the ‘Yappy Hour’ weekly fundraiser for the WC Humane Society’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter – Royal Examiner File Photo/Roger Bianchini

A popular event of yesteryear that, over two years raised up to $12,000 for the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter will be revived Friday, September 6, at the same, updated, East Main Street site in Front Royal’s Historic Downtown Business District.

“Yappy Hour” was launched several years ago at the old Vino e Formaggio at 124 East Main (later renamed Vino 124), by Christian Failmezger, cafe owner, and Malcolm Barr Sr., then president of the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) Board of Directors.

Over a two-year span the fundraiser and fun event was attended by scores of animal lovers and others from near and far. Failmezger and his soon-to-be wife, Rachel, donated part of their Friday night receipts while Barr organized raffles, silent auctions and other special events to add to the animals’ haul. Barr is still in touch with two of the old “Yappy Hour” crowd who live in Lincoln, England – so perhaps the resurrected event can regain its international clientele at its Euro continental food and drink flavored location. See Related Story

A ViNoVA European tapa-style Happy Hour food special – yum and yaps – Courtesy Photo ViNoVA

This coming Friday, September 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and each Friday evening thereafter, Rachel will be back with a new restaurant with a new name – ViNoVA – and a new partner, Chef Chris Kenworthy. Christian, meanwhile, continues to oversee the Failmezgers’ PaveMint Tap & Smoke House several blocks away on Commerce Avenue.

A guest of honor Friday will be Ellen Aders, current president of the HSWC.

Again, the operators of ViNoVA will dedicate a percentage of the evening “take” to the HSWC’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter. Barr will be joined by Kelly Kenworthy, wife of Chris, in organizing the regular “Yappy Hour” Friday evenings.