Bart Starks, R.I.P.

By Krissy Fos

“HOW MANY PRISONER MEALS TODAY?” NICOLE SHOUTED FROM UNDER THE BAR, SCRUBBING FURIOUSLY TO REMOVE SOME HARDENED UNIDENTIFIABLE CRUST THAT SPLATTERED FROM WHO KNOWS WHAT THE NIGHT BEFORE.

“Oh boy” replied Bart, while trying to quickly tally the number of arrests just from his bar alone. Debbie (Mrs. Bart) barked “Too many, Bart. You're just too nice, even the cops say your meals for the prisoners every day are too nice and you're spoiling them.”

Bart Starks: He was a nice guy! That's what he said about everyone he crossed paths with, but really Bart was the nice guy. He would do anything for anyone. He'd give anyone a ride home or bail you out of jail, but don't try to steal his pizza! He'd have wrestled you down on the pavement of Woodward Avenue at 2:00 A.M. and you'd end up on the front page of the local newspaper the next morning.

“Thanks for the ride last night,” Pete said to Bart while passing prisoner toast to Nicole, who replied, “Save some toast for my customers, and Bart – thanks so much for letting me do this, I hope people show up!”

She was talking about her first Funday Sunday at Club Bart (Sunday Brunch) Who thinks to serve breakfast at a bar? That would be Nicole. Who would support that? That would be Bart Starks, the nicest and kindest bar owner in Ferndale, Michigan.

CLUB BART WAS THE COOLEST BAR, comedy club, music venue, restaurant, party-pad, and open-mic venue from the early ‘90s through 2011. Just steps away from Como's, Danny's, and Howe's Bayou, Club Bart offered something different: An opportunity for anyone to command the stage.

Bart supported anyone's ideas for a show. Even if everyone else thought it was a stupid idea, Bart was cool with it. He would give anyone a chance, literally, and he had fun with it. No matter what you looked like, your station in life, your IQ, whether or not you had a running car, Bart gave you a chance, an opportunity to perform, and real friendship.

If I were considering a “Purple Puppy Braided-Tail Funky Ferndale Doggy Drag Show” or something similarly ridiculous, I would have asked Bart if we could do it at Club Bart! For now, I'll just have to find a Ferndale porch to host it.

In between the comedy nights, Sunday Fundays, and other entertainment, the house band Even Exchange was always there, and they rocked the house. Bart played with them often, as he was an excellent keyboard player, singer, guitarist, and he just loved music. Music was his life, really. Having a restaurant was just an excuse for Bart to host a stage! There are rumors of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer and Leon Russell having been on this stage jamming.

BART WAS TRULY LOVED AND NEEDED BY SO MANY PEOPLE in his “family,” including his wife Debbie, his four children: Todd, Marina, Jennifer, and Dave and all his orphans. They loved him so much and knew he would always SHOW UP for them when he was needed. Nicole, who worked for him forever, and started the Funday Sunday called him her father. They had a very special relationship. They fought and argued like mad, as did Debbie and Bart (does anyone remember Christmas Day and the Poinsettia plant that landed on Bart's head?).

Linda and Dennis were both special people with extreme circumstances causing them to be challenging employees at times. Bart kept them employed through thick and thin, loving them through their mistakes and mishaps, while the rest of the world may have discarded them.

Bart took care of his Dad for two years while he suffered dementia. Sounds like Bart made those years fun for Dad, driving him around and taking him everywhere – I can only imagine the shenanigans they got into.

SADLY, AND TO THE HEARTBREAK OF SO MANY, Bart Starks passed May 22, 2023. This was devastating to the community who loved him so much, and especially for his wife Debbie, who said to me, while choking up a tear: “He was SO KIND.”

Please join us for a special tribute for Bart Starks, Sept. 10, 2023, 4:00-9:00 P.M., O’Mara’s in Berkley