Plainville Bar To Be Featured In ESPN National Ad

A downtown Plainville sports bar will be getting some national exposure, the kind those only Bristol-based sports mega-dynasty, ESPN can deliver.

Central Café and Grill, best known as “Central” to those in the know, will be used as the location Wednesday for a new ESPN “branding campaign” for its radio network. The ad will include ESPN Radio’s “SVP & Russillo” co-hosts Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo.

“ESPN was looking for a bar with a pool table that was near Bristol,” said Central owner Ron LeFebvre. “Some photographers came in last week to look around, and then came back with more people and asked me a few days ago if they could use the place for the shoot,” he said. “They also liked the fact we had the back banquet room because I guess they will have a crew of 40 to 50 people and that gives them room to set up,” the café owner added. “I told them not to worry about bringing in a caterer. I’ll do the cooking for everyone.”

Van Pelt not only co-hosts the radio show but is also the nighttime anchor for SportsCenter.

Because of the shoot, Central will be closed Wednesday. But the shoot will also mean a once-in-a-lifetime close-up for some Central patrons.

“They told me they need 15 or so “extras” said LeFebvre so I have a list of about 1,000 people who come here who want to be part of that,” he laughed. “I will not be one of them.”

LeFebvre said while there will be no mention of Central, and because of camera shots and angles, even those who know the place may not recognize it, the idea of being used in a national commercial is exciting.

“Something like this doesn’t happen that often,” said LeFebvre. “We are ready to go.”

LeFebvre said crews will cover up the sign and beer taps branding in the place, replacing it with generic items instead.

“It’s not going to make us famous,” said LeFebvre, “but it sure is fun.”

(photo courtesy of Central Cafe)