(The Philippine Star, Leisure Section) September 5, 2001

Opportunity knocks but once, that's why when entrepreneur Francis Juan had a concept for a bar and grill, he got down to business. The fruit of labors is Pier One, one of the most popular establishments in Libis, Quezon City.

When the economic crunch hit Manila a few years ago, Francis thought of putting up his own watering hole, where he and his friends could meet after a hard day's work for a round of drinks without having to spend a king's ransom. Since he was in the metal fabrication business, he designs trailers for a living, he thought of a novel idea of using container vans. The idea was a bit off the wall.

"My friend didn't like the idea when I first broached the concept to them," he said. "And I don't blame them. It's not easy to visualize a pub made out of container vans, and that it would be constructed right in the middle of an on-the-go area like Libis in Quezon City. However, after I explained to them what I had in mind, and after asking the designer to give us an artist's rendering of the place, we all agreed it was worth taking a shot at. The fact that no one has ever done this before made it more nteresting and challenging."

Putting together five to seven container vans was the best thing that ever happened to the bar and grill business. The project did not entail much effort to put up, and when their lease contract expires, all they need to do is dismantle the vans and move them to a suitable venue. "It's more like erecting a structure using big Lego bricks. After a lease contract of 10 years, you can take it all apart and move on to another location in a jiffy," he added.

On opening night, all five partners and four working directors, including a host of attendants from neighboring clubs, were present. They were only expecting 150 guests to show up but more than 650 guests arrived to pack the 400- seater bar and grill. "All of my friends were put to the task of running Pier One," he said. "One is good at cooking; another looks after the customers. I take care of the bar, the drinks and the finances. We're what you'd call working managers."

On their second night of business, another 600 guests showed up. In the following days, night owls from Makati to as far away as Paranaque, Las Pinas and Alabang turned up to sample Pier One's brand of entertainment.

What makes Pier One special?

"The place is interesting, the food affordable, the drinks many, and the service extremely personal," Francis added. "We try to maintain a personal relationship with our clients. We make sure that everything, from ashtrays to ice cubes, is served in a way that entices customers to return. I've been going to bars and restaurants for the last 16 years, and the one thing that irks me most is bad service."

Although the bar is just a little under a year old, the proprietors of Pier One signed recently a lease agreement to open a branch at The Fort Square, an expansion area of the popular The Fort. Francis felt that this was opportunity knocking one more time."Notwithstanding the work that lies ahead, I feel Pier One has great potential at The Fort Square. I believe the place has very promising potentials for
business like no one has ever imagined," he said.