Downtown Lowdown

{Downtown Lowdown is written and photographed by Jamie Manser, jamie@downtowntucson.org}

In Business News…

Chances at Stone

In a 180-degree menu change, 375 S. Stone Ave.--the previous home to Oasis Vegetarian Eatery-- is now Chances at Stone, an authentic Carolina barbeque restaurant. Opened earlier this summer by partners Al Schmitt and chef Allen Cranford, Chances features certified Angus Beef, Red Bird Chicken (free-range, no hormone chicken) and Salmon Creek Pork (pork without added hormones and antibiotics).

Cranford said he started doing barbeque in the 60s, “while I was in the service, stationed in South Carolina. That’s where I learned pit barbeque.”

Committed to freshness and quality, Cranford said they “make all of our own barbeque sauces, and smoke our own meat and make all our own salad dressings, bread and desserts.”

He added that “We have vegetarian meals, we have meals that are not barbeque and we also serve unusual barbeque.”

Chances at Stone is open Monday-Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and for Sunday brunch from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Their phone number is 798-2345.

The Café

Formerly known as Café Quebec and Café Q, 121 E. Broadway has re-opened as The Café and will celebrate with a grand opening on Friday, August 6.

Co-owner Eldon Katz said he and his business partner, David Kline, met at the café four years ago. Running the restaurant has “been our dream for the last couple of years.”

The food and beverages will be similar to what has been offered previously at the location, with the difference of hosting events.

“Part of our plan is to have something going on everyday,” Katz said.

Activities will range from domino and chess tournaments, to poetry readings and live music nights.

The Café will be open at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Closing times vary. Call 882-5544 for more information.

Beowulf Alley Theatre Company

In June, Beowulf Alley signed a six-year lease to reside at the old Johnny Gibson’s Gym Equipment location at 11 S. 6th Avenue.

“It took six months to negotiate a deal with the Gibsons,” said Artistic Director Stephen Elton. “Trying to carve out a piece (of the property) that we wanted was a challenge.”

Steve Gibson concurred. “It took awhile to come to terms with which area (of the property to convert) – especially dealing with buildings constructed in the early part of (last) century.”

The theatre will be in what was the main showroom, will eventually seat 140 people and will be available to other theatre companies and organizations who want to rent it for shows and events.

“The facility is designed to keep other groups who want to use it in mind,” Elton said.

Elton hopes “to have a contractor start working by the end of August. It will take two to three months for renovations. We’re hoping for a November or December opening.”

D.L. Withers Construction

The Phoenix construction company commissioned to build the Pennington Street Garage has recently opened a Tucson office across the street from the garage construction site at 27 N. Scott Ave., and signed a three-year lease for the space.

The company has been located in Phoenix for the last 23 years, but had been looking to get into the Tucson market for some time. The Project Director for the Pennington Street Garage is David Bradley, who grew up in Tucson and is a University of Arizona graduate.

The Pennington Street Garage, a 750-space mixed-use structure, is scheduled for completion in May 2005. D.L Withers is leasing the space for two years beyond the garage’s completion because the company hopes to continue working in the Tucson area. It plans to build local relationships with the University of Arizona and the City to construct public projects.

Historic Depot on Toole

After 11 years at the Transamerica Building on Church Avenue, marketing firm LP & G Inc. has signed a five-year lease with Buzz Isaacson Realty and will occupy over 5,000 square feet on the second floor of the Depot come October.

“The reason we have decided to move is two-fold - one, our lease is up in October of this year and two, after ten-plus years in the same location, we felt like we were ready for a change,” said Creative Director and Partner Leslie Perls. “We love being Downtown, so that was a top priority for us in looking for a new space. We want to be a part of the rebuilding of Downtown Tucson.”

Hotel Congress Wins Bid for Talk of the Town Bar

Reputed to be the longest bar in the state, the bar at the former Talk of the Town restaurant at 26 E. Congress will find a new Downtown home. The City of Tucson accepted bids for the bar, with the stipulation that it be relocated to a Downtown venue.

Hotel Congress co-owner Richard Oseran said that he wanted to make sure that the bar stayed Downtown. “We bid on it because we wanted to protect it. Our bid was accepted. We’re making plans to retrofit the bar for use in the club,” Oseran said.

Spiffying Up Congress Street

Utilizing a $10,000 Back to Basics Grant, the Tucson Downtown Alliance (the umbrella under which the Downtown Tucsonan resides) is in the process of placing 18 half-ton planters along Congress Street.

TDA Office Manager and Maintenance Director Anne Lawrence is heading up the project.

According to Lawrence, the planters will house low-water desert bushes and small succulents--including trumpet plants and potato bushes--purchased from Desert Survivors. The grant afforded the purchase of 15 planters and three were purchased by TDA from Kornegay Design.

The Alliance has also recently placed new trash cans and ash urns along Downtown’s main drag, funded by another Back to Basics Grant, made possible through the offices of the Mayor and Ward 6.

The City’s Department of Transportation Streets Division has helped with the look of Congress by fixing the irrigation system for the trees lining the street. The heritage live oaks are healthy and growing and can actually provide a modicum of shade during these dog days.

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