It looks like it'll be a few more months before the "green" night club, tentatively named "Envi," opens. Nicholson appeared before the Public Safety and Licensing Committee Monday night to update committee members on the status of the project. The City Council granted Nicholson a liquor license for Envi about 15 months ago.
Nicholson told the committee it would be four or five months before he's able to open. He is, however, working on remodeling the interior and exterior of the building, which he owns.
The committee is interested in Nicholson's progress, and the progress of two other establishments with liquor licenses, because Racine is close to the state-set limit on Class B liquor licenses. It only has three available licenses, at the moment, and those license cost $10,000 a piece because they are "reserve" licenses that technically exceed the city's legal limit.
Nicholson's club, as well as the proposed "Grumpy's" on Lathrop Avenue and "Gerald's" on Washington Avenue, all hold liquor licenses but have yet to open. All three owners were called before the Public Safety and Licensing Committee Monday night under a new city ordinance that requires liquor license holders to update the committee on their progress if they don't open within nine months of receiving the license.
Grumpy's owner Karley Barcalow told the committee her plans were delayed because used kitchen equipment she planned on using didn't pass health department inspection. She told the committee she's now seeking additional loans to buy new equipment and to open, but is having a hard time convincing a bank to help her. That said, she has made progress on opening at 2011 Lathrop Ave. and hopes to move forward within four to five months. Barcalow received her license last summer and had planned to open Sept. 1.
Gerald Bester, owner of Gerald's on Washington Avenue, is hoping for a late-May opening, he told the committee. Bester has been appearing regularly before city committees in recent months to gain approvals for his restaurant, cafe and comedy club in the former "Bank" building in Uptown. He had always planned a spring 2010 opening.
Alderman Aron Wisneski, chairman of the Public Safety and Licensing Committee, said city staff confirmed all three business owners are making progress on their establishments. Under city ordinance, each will have to provide a written update to the committee in three months, if they don't open.
It's good to be friends with the king, isn't it Doug? Nice attempt to make everything look fair.
ReplyDeleteThe last thing this town needs is a nightclub. We've got enough nocturnal activity courtesy of burglars, drug dealers and gangbangers as it is. With a nightclub to lure victims to downtown Rat-Scene, the thugs who mug will be rolling in loot.
ReplyDeleteAs my Irish Dad phrased it, anyone who'd visit downtown Racine subsequent to sunset was asking for gross encounters of the herd kind; according to Dad, the thugs came out in full force after dark. Unfortunately, his statements remain valid. If I had a buck for every friend who's been mugged or divested of his wallet while checking out Racine's nocturnal attractions, I could buy a pretty decent hardcover book. Come to think of it, staying home and reading doesn't sound like such a bad way to spend an evening in the Dumbbell City.
ReplyDeleteDoug Nicholson is a contractor with the city.
ReplyDeleteBeing on the city of racine payroll, Dickert is appointing him to the Redevelopment Authority.
This is a huge conflict of interest. A payed contractor, now in the role of government official too?
This needs to be investigated.
if downtown is thug infested, give me at least 5 examples within the month of March to show evidence of these muggings. If there are so many as you claim, this shouldn't be hard.
ReplyDeleteAs a single person living in Racine I rely on the downtown scene to meet up with my social acquaintances. I grew up in this town and chose to return as an adult and invest in the community as a homeowner. Racine has made so many improvements since my childhood notably the downtown area. At one time it WAS dangerous to be there after dark but not any longer. Doug is behind many of these improvements for which he is greatly appreciated by so many. He is a smart savvy businessman and a great guy to boot we need more people like him in this town. The fact that he bought the building too and is making improvements says it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Doug for your contributions to Racine and to making it a better place.
9:42 - Your dad sounds as dumb as you.
ReplyDelete9:42
ReplyDeleteApple, meet Tree.
Tree, meet Apple.
Who do Wisneski and his gang of idiots think they are? These guys got their licenses fair and square, now leave them alone!
ReplyDeleteDowntown proper is totally not dangerous. I live here, and it is S-L-E-E-P-Y most of the time. That said, if I were a single woman I wouldn't take stupid chances while downtown, but I wouldn't avoid it either.
ReplyDeleteI second 9:46's request--show us all the awful crimes taking place downtown. I'll walk up and down several different streets in this area at any time of day or night without getting even a little nervous.
Sometimes I wonder if a large segment of the population here is just more contented when they've got something to be afraid of, even if that means imagining something to fear.
With all the poverty and misery in this damnable burg, folks don't have to imagine sources of fear. Sad to say, their quotidian existence gives them more than enough reasons to tremble. As for crime downtown, ask any policeman. Thanks to the vile economy and the hopeless situation of our have-nots, muggings and robberies aren't that rare. If you think the situation's bad now, wait until the long, hot summer...
ReplyDeleteRegarding that remark anent apples and trees, I'm proud to be my Father's son and glad that he taught me to exercise caution when visiting downtown Racine. Although the entrepreneurs and tourism-pushing eliteniks don't like to face facts, Racine IS a dangerous city. Upper-middle class blather notwithstanding, people put themselves and their property at risk if they wander into our much-touted Lakeside Business District after dark.
ReplyDelete10:58 - I'm glad you are proud of your ignorant father - like I said previously, that makes two of you. There are few issues in downtown other than an occassional drunk, but there are few to no violent crimes for the most part. I'm not saying that does not take place elsewhere, but downtown is not one of them.
ReplyDeleteDowntown is one of the few things Racine has going for it. Those of you waiting for the return of the industrial base may as well leave. In the mean time come downtown and enjoy all it has to offer.
ReplyDelete"Who do Wisneski and his gang of idiots think they are? These guys got their licenses fair and square, now leave them alone!"
ReplyDeleteUmmm...it seems like the committee is doing their job.
The liquour licenses are granted with the expectation that they are going to be used. If they are never going to be used, they the committee should revoke them and give someone else an opportunity.
My guess is that Doug is dragging his feet until the economy improves. His current location's business is down now. I doubt he wants to jump into the new place anytime soon, but at the same time does not want to lose the license.
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