"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]

Yes, they did. And these requirements held up the opening for quite a bit. I believe it does contribute to higher food costs overall if your license depends on some arbitrary percentage of revenue coming from food sales. More information can be found here if you are interested. http://www.beerscribe.com/2009/03/31/cambridges-b-side-lounge-to-become-the-lord-hobo-licensing-problems-ensue/

I agree that I do not want to see Davis turn into another Harvard Sq, packed full of chains but all chains are not inherently bad. A huge factor is the cost of rent, many local small business just can not afford to open up shop in high rent areas such as Davis. The Social Security building has been vacant for how long now and we are against someone fixing it up and putting a tax generating business in there?

Davis just got a new wine bar affiliated with Dave's Fresh Pasta, why not a craft beer bar then? Craft beer is very popular right now and it does attract somewhat of a different clientele then the Bud light folks you will see at the Joshua Tree. If you don't believe me check out the American Craft Beer Festival over in Seaport in June. You will see thousands of people paying almost $50 a head to sample a wide variety of craft beer from all over the country. http://beeradvocate.com/acbf/
Craft beer is mainly produced by small time brewers regardless of the bar or store it ends up being sold in. Heck, in Somerville alone we have Pretty Things, Slumbrew, and Night Shift all producing some great local beers.

Ron you asked what would this new business provide that Redbones does not? As other posters pointed out competition and more capacity. Ever tried to pop into Redbones for a beer after work? The two bar areas they have a very small and are often packed between about 5-8pm. It would be nice to be able to sit down and enjoy a beer after work, which is many times not possible at Redbones during peak hours. I see nothing wrong with having a bar that mainly sells alcohol, forcing everyone who wants a liquor license to be a restaurant is absurd. If any establishment serving alcohol does become a problem, like the nearby Diva lounge there are ways for the city to deal with that.