Poor Richard’s: JP Puccio

Meet JP Puccio! JP started working at Poor Richard’s in 1988 as a dishwasher in high school and has filled many positions at the restaurant over the last 30 years, including general manager and bartender. He is a sports fanatic and loves attending Atlanta Falcons and Braves games along with watching hockey.
“I moved to Gainesville in 1974 and I moved to the South Hall, lived in Hidden Harbour and went to South Hall and Johnson, Gainesville College and Atlanta Southern Tech and then came back to Gainesville,” he said. “When I left Gainesville, I thought I would never come back…as much as I love Atlanta there’s no place to hide, everything is going all the time…I like being here where I can choose what I like to do.”
He says his specialty at Poor Richard’s is his martini and jokes. JP is married to Cheryl and they have a son.
Recently, we caught up with JP to find out a little more about her life and love of the area.

Question: What do you love about being a bartender?
Answer: “Making new guests repeat customers and knowing that I can make people’s experience fun.”

Q: What is your specialty?
A: “Martinis, jokes and trivia.”
Q: Do you have a favorite bartender or bar in Hall County?
A: “Brooke at Mellow Mushroom.”
Q: What is your favorite memory from being a bartender?
A: “Meeting different celebrities, coaches, business owners, etc.”
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A: “I like watching or playing sports with my son and hiking trails with my family.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County.
A: “The community as a whole, the proximity to the mountains, the ocean, lake and Atlanta. The people in Gainesville are wonderful.”

The Best Bartenders of Hall County is a special social media project by the Abernathy Cochran Real Estate Group. To nominate your favorite bartender email: babernathy@gonorton.com.