Comments on: 80 East

By: Joel

Joel — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:13:00 +0000

AT, we certainly agree about the desirable features in a bar. Such places can be found in larger cities like St. Louis. My question is: is the paucity of such venues in OR due to a lack of imagination or is it the result of market awareness that there just aren’t enough folks who share your vision to support such a bar/pub?

With ca. 60% of Oak Ridgers retired, living on fixed income, and suffering from the usual infirmaties of old age, perhaps the market is just too small.

By: Netmom

Netmom — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:34:37 +0000

AT, I’m SO with you on this one! There is supposed to be an Irish pub on the way where the Holiday Inn used to be, which means there almost has to be Guinness and Newcastle on tap. Microbrews should be included as well: the Tuckaleechee Porter at Smoky Mtn. Brewing Co. in Gatlinburg is really, really good.

Skip the tv (those folks can go to the Doubletree), and add a couple of dart boards (real ones, not the mechanical kind) to the amenities list. Might even put in a couple of tables with a chess board or backgammon board laid into the wood.

Where Cat’s Records and Subway now is on Illinois Ave., there used to be an old fire station. When it closed and the City sold it, I really wanted to buy it and make it into “the Firehouse Pub.” Of course, I was young (in my 20s), pregnant, and had no money to do such a thing — not to mention knowing nothing at all about running such an establishment. So, the building was torn down and the idea died with it.

Of course, to get a liquor or beer license at all, there has to be some food component… but it doesn’t have to be a dinner place. Now, at all of 9:30 a.m., you’ve made me thirsty with this thread and I’ve got to settle for coffee for a few more hours.

By: GoldenAppleCorp

GoldenAppleCorp — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:16:18 +0000

OK, so how much seed money can you all commit to?
And as far as local interest goes… How could a bar that has good beer (along with all the swill that sells well in these parts) not go over well? I mean, yeah, I suppose it’s possible, but I wouldn’t be able to understand it.
And as far as local music goes, I’d imagine we’d have a hard time booking a lot of them, seeing as most of the bands I’ve heard of around here are under 21, some even under 18.

By: The Bosphorus

The Bosphorus — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 00:29:52 +0000

I’d love to be the bartender. Man, if I knew we wouldn’t all go broke doing it.

By: Netmom

Netmom — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 10:58:10 +0000

I’m checking my favorite planning commissioner’s book on city codes to see what the regulations are about siting an establishment that sells alcohol — I know there are rules about NN feet from any church, school, etc. Still, it has to be possible.

How much money it would take has a lot to do with location (as does how much can be made). What locations come to your mind as possibilities? Would you serve liquor as well (a pretty hefty added expense, I think, for licensing and insurance reasons), or specialize in good beer and just a few good menu items?

I don’t have much in the way of seed money at the moment, but investors can probably be found if the business plan is solid. There is merit in sweat equity as well, starting out with no debt and building on a cash basis. There would be some initial investment, but let’s all think on it just a bit and see what we can come up with!

By: daco

daco — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 21:06:06 +0000

I think one of the old community store locations would be a great spot for a pub. Elm Grove especially.

By: Atomictumor

Atomictumor — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 18:57:50 +0000

Wait, my dumbness has kicked in… Elm Grove is over there by Comcast and whatnot, right? I imagine we’d get a lot of walk in crackhead traffic over there, and I’d rather not cater to that market. I mean, I’m fully capable of kicking people out of a bar (actually, Amsterdam Cafe had me as an unpaid stamper/bouncer when I was 17 at UT… I was paid in beer… shhhhhh) but I’d rather not get shot or have to constantly keep crackheads out of the parking lot.
Now, if I’m wrong, lemme know. I’m wrong frequently. GAC had the thought that buying property and developing it ourself out by Roane State and Home Depot would be cool, but I don’t think thats very realistic (although it would be a perfect spot if somebody else wants to develop it).
Jackson Square would be good, but seems that businesses (other than the Playhouse) open up over there just to close down. That, and theres residential proximity.
Speaking of which, that 80 East place (and Bluehound Grille before it) has to be within 250 ft of the Jackson Square Apts. What gives?

By: daco

daco — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 23:37:43 +0000

“Wait, my dumbness has kicked inâ€¦ Elm Grove is over there by Comcast and whatnot, right?”

Right and wrong. Yep, your dumbass is working overtime and nope Elm Grove is not anywhere Comcast. Elm Grove is on East Tennessee Avenue (not Grove Center) about a mile east of 80 East Tennessee Ave.

By: GoldenAppleCorp

GoldenAppleCorp — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 23:49:52 +0000

Less like a mile and more like a block or two, if I’m thinking of the same place you are. Beside the Tai chi center and kids’ consignment shop, right? There a playground across the street and a d-building filled with illegals next door. I’d have a hard time thinking anything restaurant/bar-like could flourish in that center.
Perhaps I’m wrong, though.

By: daco

daco — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 01:35:42 +0000

A block or two doesn’t get you to Florida Ave. You’re probably right though. You probably need to find a place where a rest./bar has already failed.

By: GoldenAppleCorp

GoldenAppleCorp — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 13:04:42 +0000

Drove by there (Elm Grove) just a few minutes ago and it appears that every unit in the building is occupied at the mo.
Is the 250 ft restrictions an OR thing, or are restrictions that tight in other cities? Seems that OR is so smashed together that it’d be difficult to find anything (esp. in more residential areas) that’s not 250 ft from something else.
I think it’d be nifty to re-purpose an old D-house, like Homeland and La Mason have done. Both those businesses seem to be doing wonderfully and the owners have done a great job redesignating the buildings.

By: daco

daco — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:37:56 +0000

You are right of course GAC. All the space at Elm Grove is taken and that pesky 250ft ordinance would be a problem. Does Homeland sell beer?

By: GoldenAppleCorp

GoldenAppleCorp — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 20:17:35 +0000

No, I don’t believe they do, daco. I’ve only been in there once, finding nothing on the menu I’d like, and left. I’ve heard otherwise that it’s a great place to eat, though, and they’ve managed to stay in business for a while, considering their primarily Hungarian fare.

By: daco

daco — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 23:05:06 +0000

How can a Hungarian joint stay in business without a good Eastern European beer? Staropramen or Pilsner Urquell?

By: GoldenAppleCorp

GoldenAppleCorp — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:27:50 +0000

Good goulash, I guess.
Is that Pilsner Urquell good? Never had it.