Downtown openings/closing

by **Young DSM Social Club** on Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:07 am

Not sure anyone has commented on the new Sarpino's Pizza located next to the Quiznos - on the street level no less. Very nice to get another street level business. Even better, the place will have normal hours - including Sunday even.

Also saw that Pitchers, the bar in the Marriott, closed. I find this really odd. You'd think the hotel business alone would keep it open. I'm sorry to see it go - a lot of my friends thought it seemed like the type of corner bar you'd find in a bigger city. I would have actually maybe gone on occasion if it has normal bar hours.

by **mistertwister** on Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:18 am

Pitchers used to be a hopping place on Friday nites back in the day.

I would be willing to bet that it closed for remodeling and rebranding. Hotel bars need to do that every decade or so.

by **DMRyan** on Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:31 am

Yeah, I can't see a convention hotel like the Marriott keeping a bar that visible closed for too long. It did need a remodeling pretty bad though.

I make a good effort to really support this Sarpino's place (provided that I like it). We need all the places like this we can get, and the parking situation in that very dense portion of downtown doesn't make it easy for the restaurant to depend on anything but foot traffic for its business. I hope they make it because I don't think their location is ideal for anyone other than downtown dwellers and workers on their lunchbreak.

by **DMRyan** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:41 am

I spoke to someone last night that spoke with someone else who used to work at Pitcher's (aka, the source isn't the most reliable) that said Pitcher's did indeed close due to a lack of business. Surprising because I always thought they drew a pretty good crowd for the Pizza Hut lunch buffet thing they had.

Speaking of downtown openings, here's two more bars to add to the frey:

New bars abound

The owners of the Hessen Haus, Buzzard Billy's and the Royal Mile will debut a new bar on Wednesday: the High Life Lounge at 200 S.W. Second St.

Since Wednesday is Groundhog Day, Iowa's version of Punxutawney Phil, Polk County Paul, will be on hand to check for his shadow at 6 a.m. Free beer will be served until 9 a.m.

The '60s-themed bar, which is located in the old Hairy Mary's location, opens at 11 a.m. daily.

Call 280-1965.

Kung fu taco attack

Jeff Wright and John Limke, owners of Hairy Mary's, Big Tomato and GT's are opening two new bars in the next month.

Kung Fu Tap & Taco will open in the old Looney Tunes location, 210 Indianola Road. As the name implies, the bar will feature $1.50 tacos, along with live music.

"I love tacos," Wright said.

The duo will also convert John's Place, 2401 E. Walnut St., into the Walnut Tap, featuring country and rockabilly bands. The new bars will be open by mid-February.

And here's a new opening in the Drake-Campustown area:

Skyline

Skyline manages an impressive feat: Projecting a swanky, urban style in an area more known for more utilitarian bars. Skyline's transformation seems even more impressive if you were familiar with Big Dog Bar & Grill that occupied the space until last year. The bar's lounge atmosphere is perfect for college students who don't want to make the trek downtown or to the suburbs.

None of these are very classy, but look like fun watering holes. I'll be at Kung Fu Taco soon.

by **Peachtree** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:48 am

Why did they bother to build that monstrous Marriott in DSM and not put a restaurant and/or nightspot on the roof? I never could figure that one out, even when I lived in Des Moines, how they could let that slip by. Oh well, could be Omaha and be crying over an 8 story Hilton! :lol:

by **Ingersoll1978** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:35 am

I'm sure Marriott has plans to do something with this space. Everytime I've been there it's been busy. It definately needed to be updated though. It had an 80's vibe to it. If it was starting to slow, Marriott (Ruan) probably saw this as a great time to renovate and open something new.

by **dmluvr** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:44 am

Agreed,

it would definitlly be bahoo of these people to do something.

by **DMRyan** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:14 pm

I just can't imagine a place on a prominent corner in the city's convention hotel staying out of business for too long. This would be the perfect opportunity for a sports bar type place. Now if they could get more foot traffic in the area, they'll be in business.

by **dmluvr** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:53 pm

It would be horribly lame to keep this vacant for too long. Espically with WFA opening this summer and all of the IEC being fully completed and running.

by **NOG** on Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:47 pm

Thrashatl wrote:

Why did they bother to build that monstrous Marriott in DSM and not put a restaurant and/or nightspot on the roof? I never could figure that one out, even when I lived in Des Moines, how they could let that slip by. Oh well, could be Omaha and be crying over an 8 story Hilton!

No kidding on this one. It could be the worst bar in the world with absolutely crappy service and I would still be their every weekend so I could take in the views of downtown. Thats one thing that sucks about Des Moines, they have a couple restaurants on the top floors of 801 Grand and the Ruan Center but they are private clubs.

Thrash, I was in Atlanta last spring for a conference and stayed at the Downtown Hilton. I loved going to the Russian themed restaurant and lounge on the top floor. It had just the most amazing views of the skyline. I really wish Des Moines had somthing like that.

by **Peachtree** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:23 am

NOG wrote:Thrashatl wrote:
Why did they bother to build that monstrous Marriott in DSM and not put a restaurant and/or nightspot on the roof? I never could figure that one out, even when I lived in Des Moines, how they could let that slip by. Oh well, could be Omaha and be crying over an 8 story Hilton!

No kidding on this one. It could be the worst bar in the world with absolutely crappy service and I would still be their every weekend so I could take in the views of downtown. Thats one thing that sucks about Des Moines, they have a couple restaurants on the top floors of 801 Grand and the Ruan Center but they are private clubs.

Thrash, I was in Atlanta last spring for a conference and stayed at the Downtown Hilton. I loved going to the Russian themed restaurant and lounge on the top floor. It had just the most amazing views of the skyline. I really wish Des Moines had somthing like that.

You were at Nikolai's Roof:

Next time in Atlanta, try the Sundial, at the top of the 73 story Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, it REVOLVES 800 feet up! http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/

by **Ingersoll1978** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:39 am

From Borsellino's column...

In other Ingersoll food news, the Burger King near 31st is closing Saturday night. The lease ran out, and the owner told the staff it was time to move on.

What a prime oppurtunity to snag this property and get something else there like housing above retail that is closer to the street.

by **DMRyan** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:10 am

Yes the south side of that portion of Ingersoll is one of the sloppiest on the whole street. I hope it, along with the old Hardees further down the street get demolished.

by **NOG** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:20 am

Next time in Atlanta, try the Sundial, at the top of the 73 story Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, it REVOLVES 800 feet up! http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/

Yeah, I never got a chance to get over to this hotel and check that out.

From Borsellino's column...
In other Ingersoll food news, the Burger King near 31st is closing Saturday night. The lease ran out, and the owner told the staff it was time to move on.

Well this should improve my diet dramatically. Hopefully this property will not sit vacant for a long time.

by **mistertwister** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:45 am

Access to and from the Hardees and Burger King sites has always been a huge problem. No one wants to risk losing a transmission to get into their parking lots and if a line is more than 4 cars long waiting for drive thru service, it blocks the parking in the rest of the lot.

I think Burger King is facing problems larger than just a bad location on Ingersoll.

Anyway, in more positive news Quizno's opened on Grand.

by **DMRyan** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:30 am

I hear they got a pepper bar too.

Sorry, cliche joke but those little Quizno's puppet bags on the commercials were yanked off the airwaves before their time.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:39 am

Wasn't it Quizno's who did the nasty little brown hampsters? I swear those those made to run to Quizno's to get something to eat. LOL My roommate was always disgusted by those commercials. LOL

by **dmluvr** on Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:21 am

Bk is closing huh?? that's intresting, I wonder what will happen with that little area. thoughts anyone?

by **Ingersoll1978** on Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:49 pm

I called the Marriott and they said Pitchers did indeed closed. I asked if they had any plans for it and she said she wasn't aware of anything. She said the space is available for private parties though. I hope Ruan steps up and gets something done with this spot. I'm quite sad to see it go.

by **dmluvr** on Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:55 pm

these peoople are morons if they let it sit there vacant.

by **NOG** on Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:14 pm

This is still very surprising considering the lunch business they get. Although I must say I never stopped in at night. If I was doing somthing in the area I always preferred the bar at Suites of 800 Locust.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:16 pm

Well if they remodeled the space, it would probably be fine. In fact, they should have closed the Skywalk Lounge instead of Pitchers. This decision was short sighted I think.

by **dogbo** on Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:18 am

I heard from a realiable source that plans and proposals have been drawn up to remodel/update Pitchers, but to date can't get the "powers that be" to agree to spend the $$$. It's too bad as this is a great space.

It doesn't surprise me Pitchers didn't make it in it's present form. Nothing had been updated since the place was built and the drinks weren't particular great despite being a bit more expensive than other downtown bars.

by **mistertwister** on Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:51 am

Pitchers always suffered an identity crisis. Did it want to be a bar that serviced a hotel or did it want to be a nightclub. It really didn't do either of them well. It is a great spot so I hope someone gets the chance to make something of it.

by **DMRyan** on Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:26 am

Another closing to talk about, this time a retail store that sold imported Mexican home decor items.

Made in Mexico, located on the ground floor of the Arlington-Hallet Apartments will be closing.

From the Register:

Made in Mexico, 1301 Locust, is going out of business.

The shop, located to the north of Beggar's Banquet in the Arlington-Hallett building, is having a 40 to 60 percent off sale to move out its inventory of large, rustic furniture and accessories imported from Mexico.

The almost two-year-old business relocated one year ago from its space at Eighth and Walnut streets when the building there was bought to make way for Wells Fargo.

Owner Heather Shoning cited only "personal reasons" for discontinuing the business and she said she's looking forward to spending more time at home with her daughter.

by **DMRyan** on Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:31 am

YoungDSM mentioned this recently, but here's the scoop on the new coffee shop locating in Gateway West.

Another coffee shop is joining the downtown lineup. Like the others, this one has a distinct personality.

The Ritual Cafe, 1301 Locust St. - just north of Beggar's Banquet - has been many months in the planning by Denise Diaz and Linda Shepley.

Diaz worked until recently at Java Joe's and beans roasted there will be served in The Ritual Cafe. Look also for specialty drinks such as Mexican spiced hot cocoa, Mexican mocha and a coffee drink with horchata - a sweetened rice milk found in Mexican restaurants.

Smoothies with nutritional spikes will be on the menu board, too, Diaz said.

Breakfast items include a cereal bar, pastries from La Mie and Mexican sweetbreads from La Tienda's bakery.

Desserts such as cheesecake, tiramisu and biscotti will be available and a light lunch menu of quiches, salads and croissants will be added.

Diaz and Shepley want to make their new coffee cafe a local hangout with entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Look for open mics, poetry readings and performers on Friday and Saturday nights. First up: singer-songwriter Erika Luckett on March 25.

The shop may be ready to open at any time, but it will definitely be ready by March 21, Diaz said.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:37 am

What a great location. Near residential and the new Higher Learning Center and Library. They should do quite well there. Also, sounds like they will have some "Jamba Juice" type products!

by **Young DSM Social Club** on Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:46 am

I think it will do well --- it sounds like the owners "get" the area and are willing to cater to ALL the types of people downtown, not just the business people ....

by **NOG** on Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:41 am

Very good news. Sounds like we could have another little pocket of entertainment popping up in Downtown. I look forward to hearing much more about this area when Gateway West gets into full swing.

by **Young DSM Social Club** on Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:47 am

I'd really like to see a bar or restaurant open up in the space where Made in Mexico was --- especially if you could get something with an outdoor patio.

Can you imagine how nice it would be to have a bar/restaurant in the middle of the park?

I hope the city works with them on this --- could be a very unique destination.

Downtown openings/closing

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