Court Avenue Development Efforts

[dogbo]

Basement...not the main floor. correct?

[NOG]

Basement. I guess that would be Shorty's although they were bringing out box after box of wine.

[Philby]

Basement. I guess that would be Shorty's although they were bringing out box after box of wine.

I'm sure most of the wine for Sbrocco is stored downstairs so they were probably moving that along with all the wine from the wine store that's in the other half of the basement.

Hopefully the street level didn't flood because there is probably a lot of newly installed furniture and kitchen stuff being they were just opening.

[DMRyan]

It looks like the new streetscape freshening up of Court Avenue is just about wrapped up. I hate to say it, but I actually liked the old light poles better than the modern replacement. The rest of the project looks good. It's not a dramatic overhaul, but just a modernization and filing in of what was already there. Hopefully, the same can be done of Walnut Street some day. Simply painting those faded red light poles, bus shelters and traffic lights to black would make a big difference for much less of a price. The fixtures aren't really all that bad if they find something else besides globe lights to install.

In other Court Avenue news, the facade of the old Judge Roy Bean's has been ripped off, hopefully in preparation for whatever will replace it.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

[DMRyan]

Can't comment on downtown afterhours, but it looks just like normal during the day, only with a few more sandbags laying around. I'm sure the best weather we've had all damn year could be helping out too.

[Ingersoll1978]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy. We walked back to High Life...and there wasn't anyone in there. It probably had more to do with it being a Monday night. It didn't appear that they substained any damage. Downtown just needs to get the message out that they are open...quickly!

[Better Life dude]

I like the new Court Ave. street lights. I have not been down there at night when they are on. The old 19th century lights were horrific looking. It alos seems as if there are more trees planted now on Court Ave. It seems like the Court Ave. makeover took about a week whereas the Ingersoll makeover seems like its taking a lifetime.

One other note: I like that with the farmers market on Saturdays, the vendors are now on the street and not on the sidewalks - much better for pedestrians.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy. We walked back to High Life...and there wasn't anyone in there. It probably had more to do with it being a Monday night. It didn't appear that they substained any damage. Downtown just needs to get the message out that they are open...quickly!

Sounds like the message had already been received

[cdub]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy.

I assume you meant Court Avenue Brewery?

So did any of the buildings suffer flood damage above basement level?

[DMRyan]

Not really. The sewer manholes popped on the street, flooding about 2 ft. or less of a section of Court Avenue. The city had it cleaned up with pumps and vac trucks within 3 hours.

[Ingersoll1978]

I assume you meant Court Avenue Brewery?

So did any of the buildings suffer flood damage above basement level?

Nope...Court Ave Brewery's patio was full. We walked over to Raccoon River Brewery (it took less than 10 minutes).

I didn't notice any damage on the ground floor.

[DMRyan]

Several Register articles now hinting that Buzzard Billy's won't reopen. Somebody needs to move into that space, get the proper flood insurance, and utilize one of Des Moines' best patio areas!

Hopefully Buzzard Billy's can relocate to higher land in another building on Court Avenue or in the area.

[Better Life dude]

Buzzard Billys had excellent cajun food and a great patio.

[4th&Court]

I like the new lights, mostly because they freshen up the look of Court (and don't forget 4th, they did that too) and you actually notice them now. The old ones didn't produce much light. These new ones shine bright and have a wide spectrum.

[wmjindsm]

There is a spot on E. Locust by the East Village books that I thought would be a good spot for a restaurant.

Sbrocco makes its debut, Buzzard Billy's gone for now

Posted 6/19/2008 5:53 PM CDT on Des Moines Register

Sbrocco restaurant at 208 Court Ave. in Des Moines got the go-ahead to open the doors today. It was originally going to begin business Tuesday of last week, but flooding of Court Avenue delayed it.

Shorty's lounge and the wine and cheese cafe on the lower level were totaled by flood waters and they are closed for now. The area is being gutted and rebuilt, said Melinda Toyne, the spokeswoman for Full Court Press, owners of the business.

The restaurant will serve a limited menu for the next week or so for dinners only, Toyne said. A more complete menu and lunch will be added at a later date.

Wine tastings will be on Saturdays during the Farmers Market beginning this weekend and from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

As for Buzzard Billy's at 100 Court Ave., it was pretty much wiped out by the flood waters on Court Avenue. The restaurant is out of commission indefinitely and it likely will not be resurrected in that location, Toyne said. Plans for another site haven't been announced yet.


Sbrocco’s hours for now are 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. See http://www.sbroccowine.com or call 282-3663.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... ersonaDest

[dogbo]

I hope they bring Buzzard Billy's back. I’m sure they are just a bit discouraged at the moment. Let's not forget that within the last year they took a sizeable hit on their failed grocery store. That, and the flood, has to be both an emotional and financial stress within their organization.

I would be surprised if another restaurant doesn't go in where Buzzards Billy's was. That patio is a gold mine as it is usable much more than the typical restaurant patio because it is somewhat protected against wind and also hot sunny days. That said, I don't know how flood insurance works, but I'm sure a big drawback will be the rates an establishment would have to pay to go into a space that has lost its last two successful restaurants due to floods.

I would also expect to see Buzzard Billy's re-open in a different location. They always seemed to do a good business. I bet the Full court boys finding an interesting location somewhere around downtown to transform into yet another successful venture. NOTE: IMO, I can't see them going into that space next to EV Books. It is too much of a clean/polished look from the outside. It doesn't say "Buzzard Billy's to me.

[Better Life dude]

If I were the Full Court press guys going forward I would make my restaurants and bars a little more spread out around the downtown area in order to spread their risk around also. Risk can come from flood, fire and "trendiness" or "hipness" of a particular district. Having so much down around Court Ave exposes them to more risk than is necessary. I know they own a bar in the East Village - perhaps they could re-open a place in the E.V. with the Buzzard Billys food and "crappy beer nights". Somewhere in the western Gateway area would be good too or on Ingersoll.

A real life example I would use is Darin Beck, owner of the Barmuda chain in Cedar Falls. He must own and manage well over a dozen bars, restaurants and clubs all over the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area - but they are diversified in location: in downtown Cedar Falls, College Hill in Cedar Falls, University Ave. in Cedar Falls, on the southern end of Cedar Falls, and in downtown Waterloo. Like the Full Court Press guys - each location has a theme - but no two are alike. Beck also has diversified inot different types of age groups and interests for his customers - from college kids to baby boomers.

[Young DSM Social Club]

Glad Shortys is coming back.

Sad about Buzzard Billys. Although, to be honest, while I liked the food I always found it to be a pretty dirty place, so a new location elsewhere (with new tables, etc.) might be a big plus!

[DMRyan]

I really have to give a ton of credit to those Full Court Press guys, taking a chance on Court Avenue when no one else would, and now look at the district. I can't wait for the street to someday be considered finished. With every parking lot filled, more spots for retail/restuaurants/bars and real estate so in demand, the street's 3 parking garages are up for redevelopment.

[dogbo]

I went running downtown today and made a couple observations:

1) Hessan Haus has posted on their window that they serve food until 1:45 a.m. Hopefully talk of polluting Court Ave the likes of a Taco Johns or something of that ilk can stop regarding late night dining options.


2) the planters around the trees on Court Ave are poorly planned. There is no barrier around the planters so as I somewhat expected after seeing them for the first time (and have now witnessed), people are walking over the newly planted perrenials since there is nothing to stop them from doing so.

[DMRyan]

Good effort to Hessen Haus for keeping the kitchen open late, but the last thing I need after a night out is a polish sausage and sauerkraut! I'd still take something more generic like a chain sandwich shop or a pizza by the slice place.

[Philby]

I agree with DMRyan - thanks to the Haus for serving food til close....but what do you do if you close the bars down and want something to eat at 2:15? When's Big Tomato gonna open a "downtown branch"??

Actually the little sandwich shop that just opened would be a great location for Big Tomato if they just delivered pizzas there from the main location. That way it wouldn't need any ovens just a coupla warmers.

[Hojo]

I'm all for a sandwich late night, but for my money, nothing beats a burrito.

[Mastermind]

Gyros, hands down...

[4th&Court]

I went running downtown today and made a couple observations:

1) Hessan Haus has posted on their window that they serve food until 1:45 a.m. Hopefully talk of polluting Court Ave the likes of a Taco Johns or something of that ilk can stop regarding late night dining options.

I agree that it's great that Hessen Haus will serve food til 1:45 a.m., but that still doesn't fill the niche that is being left open. Hessen Haus doesn't serve anything quick, cheap and to-go. That's what post-bar folks are looking for. They don't typically go in search of a place to sit down and eat a full meal. In Iowa City, the lines at Taco Bell and Panchero's are out the door from about 1 a.m. til they close. That's what people are looking for. Spend $4, get a burrito or a taco and a drink. Quick and easy, and still ignored by those with the capital.

[DMRyan]

Here, here. Chain fast food joint or not, this is a niche entirely unfilled on Court Avenue. Even when it's not bar time, I don't always want to spend $12 on lunch at a sit down restaurant when I visit the area, and that pretty much leaves the High Life Lounge's $3 cheeseburger baskets.

[Better Life dude]

Someone member of absolutedsm needs to quit their day job asap and get this fast food project started. There is money being left on the table by not owning and running an all-night munchie shack. Who's going to be the visionary person to step up and fill this need?

[dogbo]

I contend that if it was such a "no-brainer", it would have happened by now. There are always people looking to invest in franchises and moreover, many people that are currently making good money owning current fast food franchises so they have the capital, and are always scouting for new areas to locate . If there was a definite home run opportunity in Court Ave for such an establishment, it would be here by now. That is not to say there won't be one sometime in the future, but it is really naive to think entrepreneurs who are always on the lookout to make $$$$$ have not run the numbers and determined (at least for now) that this doesn't make sense (or is still too risky).

No offense to many here, but to me it is inexcusable if some of you have identified this gold mine and are not taking steps to benefit by it yourself. Seriously, if this is a no lose situation, and you've indentified and believe it to be so, then take this on yourself. Get a partner or partners, raise the capital, get a small business loan, make a business plan, and get your "can't lose" business up and running. How many opportunities are you going to have in your lifetime to invest in something that is guaranteed to be a big money maker?

[Hojo]

I contend that if it was such a "no-brainer", it would have happened by now.

This is what I've said all along. A restaurant cannot thrive merely on the receipts of late-night diners (unless, perhaps, it's a Panchero's in Iowa City). I think that yes, now that more young people are living downtown, there is a higher demand around dinner time, but lunch is still a risk. Quizno's downtown has been for sale for quite some time, and their gross receipts aren't very high during the day hours.