So I mentioned something about this about a month ago, but here's the deal fresh from the husband-and-wife owners, who presented their plans at the MNA meeting last night. We're getting a new pub. It's a beer & wine place, serving light food, to be located next door to Thai Herbs in teh house previously occupied by Village Beads, before they moved to the corner formerly occupied by JK Hill's. My what a complex description. The easy version - it's going into the white house on Capitol between Jacqueline's and Thai Herbs. Village Beads sign is still out front, for now.
Journeys will be a travel themed pub serving beer and wine and some food (although they will not have a grill) targeting a more "upscale" crowd then might be found, you know, down at The Ship. The inspiration for Journeys was the owners habit of taking maps and guidebooks to their favorite pubs when planning trips of their own. They are trying to design their "ideal place" for this sort of thing. Apparently, the desire is to incorporate theme nights or events that will expose the clientele to other cultures and places in the world. To include, one assumes, appropriate beers and wines. The place should seat around 26 inside, and they plan to provide tables outdoors (in the front) for a further dozen or so, similar to what Thai Herbs has.
There were some concerns voiced by the immeidate neighbor, and a few others, about whether or not the Village needs another bar. The owners seemed sympathetic to these concerns and it sounds like they've been addressed. The primary concern (other than the late-night outflow of more post-drinking-session folks walking and yes driving home) was the possibility of live music (there won't be any) and the use of the back yard for parking and/or seating. The back yard is a separate lot, and not zoned commercial. In fact the lease for Journeys doesn't include the backyard (for this reason, no doubt) so it seem like all will be well.
This sounds like a place I might enjoy visiting. I for one appreciate the owners for coming by the MNA meeting (although at Brian's request, I think) to lay out their plans and listen to the concerns of the neighbors. So I guess we can look for Journeys to open up in a few months.
Labels: ch-ch-ch-changes, Eating, moved
