Court Avenue Development Efforts

[dogbo]

I was down on Court over the lunch hour today and it appears that Baldwin is starting some major work on the bars he purchased from Larry Smithson.

The northern 2/3rd's of the building is getting a new faux brick facade. Long overdue. This should blend in better with the nearby historic buildings. I'm not sure if this will continue as the latin music "La Rocka" (or whatever it is/was) or if he's putting in something new here. Regardless, it will look much better.

The southern 1/3 of the building has what looks to be a temporary sign designating it as "The Party Cove". Hopefully he has some plans to improve that next.

There's a big sign on the building with the faux brick facade, formerly La Roca. It says, "PELICAN BAR". Kind of a dumb name if you ask me.

I'm not goin' to put to much stock in a name (good or bad) but it is interesting that the sign on the front indicates this is going to be a bar and restaurant.

[dogbo]

Cool new big neon sign up at the Pelican Bar. New windows added too. This place is really shaping up after years of being an eyesore in the area. I'll be curious to see the interior once they're open and will anxiously await Baldwin turning his attention to the "Party Cove" building and patio next to get that cleaned up and classed up.

[spacebetween]

Where is the Pelican bar? Is that right next to the old Papa's Planet?

[dogbo]

Where is the Pelican bar? Is that right next to the old Papa's Planet?

It is aspproximately 2/3's of the building that used to be Papa's Planet. The other 1/3 appears to be called the Party Cove and has the patio area adjoining it.

[dogbo]

This is interesting and doesn't really jive with past reports about Tom Baldwin buying these buildings from Smithson. From Cityview.....

Pelican Bar Restaurant & Nightclub

Owners hope to catch lightning in a bottle at former hotspot

Tommy Mauro has been part of the Des Moines bar scene since he started working at his cousin Tommy Farrell’s bar, Jukebox Saturday Night, back in 1985. From experience he knew that it was a hot spot for a bar, which is why he is opening his new establishment, Pelican Bar Restaurant & Nightclub, on Oct. 2 in the same location.

“Jukebox Saturday Night was one of the most successful bars in town,” Mauro said. “So I knew it was a good location. There was a dry spell in downtown, but it’s been getting better.”

Knowing it would be a good spot, Mauro, his brother Frank and wife Lisa, bought the property more than a year ago. They brainstormed on different ideas and came up with a plan for a different bar for downtown.

“We want to offer an upscale, classy bar,” Mauro said. “A place where you can get a drink, enjoy some food or watch the game.”

The Pelican will offer nightly drink specials, daily lunch specials and a Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Since they are still in the planning stages, the exact specials have not been decided.

“I want people to be able to stop in for lunch without paying more than $10,” Mauro said. “During the farmer’s market, we will be offering an ‘Italian breakfast,’ which is something nobody else in town has. We will incorporate foods from the market into our menu.”

The Pelican has two floors, including the V.I.P. area, which takes up the entire second floor. Both levels will have different looks and styles.

“The downstairs is like a big city lounge, a comfortable place for people to meet their friends,” Mauro said. “The upstairs is going to be more of a retro V.I.P lounge, a flashback to the ’70s and ’80s.”

Mauro is especially excited about his V.I.P. floor.

“I thought downtown needed something like this,” he said. “Every bar has a V.I.P. section or room, but nobody offers an entire floor. We also might have some comedy shows upstairs as well.”

With all the different nightlife options on Court Avenue, Mauro knows he has something special.

“We want to offer a hassle-free environment where anybody is welcome,” he said. “We are a great place to grab some lunch, stop in after work or when you’re heading out or heading home for the night.”

http://www.dmcityview.com/bellyup.shtml

[Young DSM Social Club]

Does anybody else get the feeling of "Smithson #2" from this duo?

[mistertwister]

I predict that this will not go well.

Downtown does not need another place to eat and catch a game. There are plenty of places to do that and they will already do that better than the Pelican can. What downtown needs is a hip dance club. Something that doesn't scream cheap beer specials and desperate people.

[4th&Court]

Actually, I think downtown needs a cheap place to drink. That's getting damn scarce down here. Most places have few specials anymore, and I've noticed the size of pitchers is shrinking as well.

Besides cheap, we need a place that doesn't feel the need to crank music as loud as hell at all times. I think it's ironic that you have places that advertise themselves as a place to gather with friends or "catch a game," and the same places have either DJ's or jukeboxes that are literally so loud that you can't have a conversation with your friends or hear the game coverage. Sometimes I enjoy being in a bar that is filled with loud music, but it's frustrating that I can't name one downtown that isn't like that.

[spacebetween]

They are going to have a hard time with the "catch a game" crowd with Johnny's and Legends across the street. I was at Johnny's this past Saturday and I was impressed with the different types of people there, and everyone was having a good time.

[SFO2DSM]

4th&Court - you might want to give Shorty's a try. They recently reopened in the space below Sbrocco and the new leather couches are a perfect place to chat with friends. And the music isn't loud either.

[dogbo]

I'm a bit surprised by the early negative judgment against this place (even before it opens).

I'm impressed with the amount of money they appear to be putting in the building. New windows, a very visible/large neon sign out front, and new faux brick façade. I peered into the windows when I was down there for the farmer's market this past Saturday and it appears they are completely relocating the bar to an area near the front of the building.

According to the article, they're talking "big city lounge". I realize, this could just be talk but can anyone name another Court Ave establishment that has that type of theme/vibe? I can't.

If they do this correctly, I think they could very well fill a missing niche in the Court Ave. Hopefully, as 4th & Court accurately pointed out, they'll be smart to control music volume so you can actually go in there and hold a conversation with the person next to you.

NOTE: I'd add The Lift (to Shorty's) as good place to go out and have a drink where the music doesn't drowned out conversation.

[spacebetween]

Dogbo - I think this place is going to have a hard time getting going because they are in the old Smithson's stomping ground. People have a negative connotation to his bars, as illustrated in the negativity on this thread. Until word gets out about this place, and hopefully it will be a good word, they are going to have a hard time as most people will just assume it is a Smithson bar and avoid it as a result.

[dogbo]

I think you have a point, but you must also realize that:

* not everyone knows who Larry Smithson is or knows his history of bars in that location. I would even venture to say that the masses are not that "plugged in" to local ownership to even know the difference. It is a little deceiving reading this forum, because most of us tend to pay attention a little closer to things like that.

* the building's appearance is completely changing. I'll admit, I'm a sucker for cool signage, so maybe I'm letting the new look of the place (at least from the outside) affect my judgment of its potential a bit. I just know that if I was walking down the street and was looking for a cool place to check out, I'd be attracted to at least check that place out. (both because of the unique name, and the cool neon sign).

All that initial attraction goes away quickly however, if the place isn't run well. We'll see how that goes.

[Ingersoll1978]

* not everyone knows who Larry Smithson is or knows his history of bars in that location. I would even venture to say that the masses are not that "plugged in" to local ownership to even know the difference. It is a little deceiving reading this forum, because most of us tend to pay attention a little closer to things like that.

That's a very valid point dogbo. Since the whole bar looks different, people will be attracted to it (which is why it is important to do those things).

Where is this new signage?

[dogbo]

* not everyone knows who Larry Smithson is or knows his history of bars in that location. I would even venture to say that the masses are not that "plugged in" to local ownership to even know the difference. It is a little deceiving reading this forum, because most of us tend to pay attention a little closer to things like that.

That's a very valid point dogbo. Since the whole bar looks different, people will be attracted to it (which is why it is important to do those things).

Where is this new signage?

It is hanging out front of the building. They've had it light up at times (even though they're not open yet). You can clearly see it when you out front of the Civic Center. It is a nice addition to all the other recently added neon signage in the area and IMO helps relay this message that, "Court Avenue is the place to be and there is A LOT going on here!"

[SFO2DSM]

I'll admit that the new sign is pretty cool. Anyone else think it's weird that the pelican in the sign is smoking given the new law?

[Mulder.DSM]

I'll admit that the new sign is pretty cool. Anyone else think it's weird that the pelican in the sign is smoking given the new law?

Don't forget Winston's Bar & Grill on the skywalk. Their sign I beleive is of Churchill smoking a cigar.

[Philby]

I'll admit that the new sign is pretty cool. Anyone else think it's weird that the pelican in the sign is smoking given the new law?

Well since the sign is outside, I think its OK!!

[4th&Court]

I'm a bit surprised by the early negative judgment against this place (even before it opens).

I'm impressed with the amount of money they appear to be putting in the building. New windows, a very visible/large neon sign out front, and new faux brick façade. I peered into the windows when I was down there for the farmer's market this past Saturday and it appears they are completely relocating the bar to an area near the front of the building.

According to the article, they're talking "big city lounge". I realize, this could just be talk but can anyone name another Court Ave establishment that has that type of theme/vibe? I can't.

If they do this correctly, I think they could very well fill a missing niche in the Court Ave. Hopefully, as 4th & Court accurately pointed out, they'll be smart to control music volume so you can actually go in there and hold a conversation with the person next to you.

NOTE: I'd add The Lift (to Shorty's) as good place to go out and have a drink where the music doesn't drowned out conversation.

I've been in the Lift at times when I couldn't even hear myself speaking, but yeah, sometimes it's on the lighter side compared to many other places. I just hope that this new place is indeed a different feel. Sometimes, it seems like no matter what kind of theme a bar bills itself as, they all end up being wall-to-wall people listening to hip-hop or loud metal and trying to outshout it so they can communicate with each other.

[dogbo]

There was a small article in Joanne Boeckman's column yesterday in the Register (I don't see it online) mentioning some of the plans for the old Judge Roy Bean's location. The new owner is the same guy that owns all the Legends and the Fireside Creek Grill(I think that is what it is called). I was glad to read they'll be utilizing both the street level and the upper floor for the new restaurant and bar. If I recall correctly, the upstairs will become a nightclub in the later hours of the evening. The venue would be different than anything he's done so far. A February 2009 opening date was provided.

That's all I can remember.

[Ex-Chicago]

There was a small article in Joanne Boeckman's column yesterday in the Register (I don't see it online) mentioning some of the plans for the old Judge Roy Bean's location. The new owner is the same guy that owns all the Legends and the Fireside Creek Grill(I think that is what it is called). I was glad to read they'll be utilizing both the street level and the upper floor for the new restaurant and bar. If I recall correctly, the upstairs will become a nightclub in the later hours of the evening. The venue would be different than anything he's done so far. A February 2009 opening date was provided.

That's all I can remember.

From what I remember, it was going to be an upscale steak/seafood kind of place.

[Hojo]

Is Taft's still sitting there?

[dogbo]

Is Taft's still sitting there?

It hasn't walked away.

Seriously, I'm not sure Zmolek has decided what he wants to do with this space long term. I'm guessing a lot of his time and energy right now is focused on People's/People's Backstage, and his 3 AK O'Conner's locations. Heck...he still doesn't have the kitchen going yet at the downtown AK's yet.

[spacebetween]

I think they are just going to continue using it for special meetings and engagements as they have been doing. I believe Dogbo is right, he is extremely busy and I am not sure there is a niche his other bars are not hitting. The only thing that building is missing is a wine or martini bar, which Tafts has tried to build there, but with Sbrocco right down the road...it may not be worth the time or effort.

[4th&Court]

The only thing I've had at Taft's so far is the $6.50 bottle of Heineken.

[dogbo]

The only thing I've had at Taft's so far is the $6.50 bottle of Heineken.

$6.50?????????? I have to call B.S. on that one (unless they sell a 40oz).

[4th&Court]

I have to call B.S. on that one

Don't you always?

Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Now there's a ****ing surprise.

[dogbo]

Only when it smells like it.

Seriously, are they really charging $6.50 for a bottle of Heineken there? That's crazy if they truly are.

[4th&Court]

They were that night. Probably about a year ago by now. I haven't seen it open most times I'm in the building.

[Mulder.DSM]

I tried to quickly glance back at some old posts here, but was wondering, is there any major plans for more development coming soon (or currently under way) for the Court Avenue area?

What ever happened to a movie theatre? Barnes & Noble? Comedy Club? etc?