"World of Beer" proposed for Social Security Building - public meeting Wednesday 4/17

[ron_newman]

I got this e-mail from Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz:

I wanted to update you that I have now had two meetings with the proponents of a place called "World of Beer" that wants to go into the Social Security Bldg space [240 Elm Street]. The lawyer for the new owner of the space, Mike Amato, is Rich DiGirolomo. I have told them that I am VERY concerned about this as a possible use since I don't want to see a drinking hole in Davis that allows you to bring in your own food and barely serves any food of their own. They have told me I have the wrong idea and it will be craft brews geared towards an "upscale" crowd. I am highly skeptical.

In response to my concerns, the proponents have now said they are going to partner with a restaurant to come into the space to share adjoining spaces. I'm not sure how that would work. They would like to have a community meeting ON SITE on Wed April 17th at 6:30pm. Can you please help me spread the word far and wide so we can get a large turnout of people who will ask key questions about what they are trying to do?

Comments

[wintahill.livejournal.com]

What exactly is wrong with going out to a bar just to have a beer, instead of going to have food and a beer?

Most bars make the majority of their money through liquor sales. It is pretty ridiculous when cities try to force a bar to have a certain percentage of their revenue come from food sales. Cambridge did the same thing to Lord Hobo. A nice space with a large selection of different beers would fit in just fine in Davis Square. If the bar and its' clientele prove to be a nuisance there are mechanisms already in place to deal with that.

Rebekah Gerwirtz seems to be suffering from a strong case of NIMBYism.

[pakoo.livejournal.com]

^ I second that.

[jimmyfergus.livejournal.com]

Want to add my voice seconding it too.

Personally my body is rejecting alcohol these days, but I don't see why people shouldn't go out and enjoy beer if they want to.

I'd go further, I'd like to see 'local' bars interspersed with houses in residential areas (as you would see in England, for instance) - places where you can drop in and socialize with your neighbors, over a drink if you wish. Somehow civilization doesn't collapse over there even though a lot of them don't serve any food beyond packets of potato chips. I don't understand the puritanical attitude.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Nothing new on your last line.