From Alexander Soule, CT Post
Delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown Bridgeport has a second brewpub–with its sibling proprietors opening the doors on the eve of the summer concert season at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater.
The venue, expected to be a regional draw for the city, sits just over a half mile away from Berlinetta Brewery, which opened in June at 90 Golden Hill St. under Chris and Rich Ruggiero.
… The brothers looked at about 80 potential sites between Stratford and Norwalk, before learning about the Golden Hill Street locale.
As it turns out, the pandemic delay may have worked to their advantage with the concert series in place for the new Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, with this summer’s shows to include REO Speedwagon, Harry Connick Jr. and The Beach Boys. Stamford bars and restaurants have long gotten a boost from the Alive@Five summer concert series, which moves this year to Mill River Park.
Full story here.
Be nice if the Merchant assc would sponsor some sort of shuttle service from the Amp to the various restaurants/bars downtown.You’ll get some of the crowd walking to these places,but the majority will stay right around the theater.A shuttle would change that imo..
Not a bad thought . The good think though is the 2 breweries do have their own parking.
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Sorry thing
*** Just what Bpt. needs another alcohol selling place for more DWI’s & Hit & Runs in the Park City, no? ***
Stevie A,
Did you read this? This is it. A brewpub is the economic engine we’ve been waiting for. This will turn around the ill fortunes of BPT!!!
And do you know why???
Because the city didn’t f’it up!
They stayed away and did not take credit for it. Maybe it’s finally learning its lessons.
Whatever happen to that German themed Bar,is it still there?,it’s in the old bank building.
That wreck lasted 6 months. The GOOD news is the property owner, ForeStone, kept it operating since they put up major money in build out to get those those open and were technically the equity partners and nobody really noticed. The main business they would get was from the Stress Factory Comedy Club. In a sense of good judgment or common sens,. Forestone approached owner, Vinne, of comedy club about taking over the German Beer Hall considering he accounted for 90% of the business and they shared its kitchen. They Struck a Deal. It is now called Vicki’s Brands Gather. This all happened under the radar cause right before Grand Opening, Covid -19 hit.
Vinnie and his Wife have done a great job with comedy club and restaurant. I wish them well, support them. Check them out: https://www.vickibrandsgather.com/
Bob Walsh, First thank you for acknowledging that I am a cheerleader for the city. That does get tired after awhile. However, since you made the comment and I do appreciate your sarcasm, I do believe this is great news for the Downtown area. Synergy is an amazing thing when it comes to development. Bridgeport’s attempt to become a destination and an entertainment center is happening. I know it bothers you but we already have the amazing Cabaret Theater and the soon to be opened Amphitheater. The Comedy Club is catching on and apartments are being built. It is difficult sometimes to acknowledge all of the positive things happening under the Ganim administration when you never patronize Downtown and live in Branford. I am still optimistic that even greater things are around the corner. I am hopeful that Steelepointe will be announcing a major new development shortly. When you figure that Bridgeport Real Estate is hot and NewYorkers are moving here , Logic would tell you that Steelepointe is ripe for Upscale Condo’s. Too bad they haven’t been under construction over the past few years. They would have been sold out.
Bob,it would be nice if you for once acknowledged positive developments and wished the new business’s well as well as patronizing them. For those of us that still live in the city and pay taxes here we are hopeful and believe Bridgeport’s time is now. We have to believe that. Having another Brewery is a good thing. We don’t expect Seniors to be supporting them. Young people are the future. They need places to socialize. Downtown will be a magnet as younger people move downtown. Personally, I believe the South end ( Cruze and Moye) and the East End ( Newton and Martinez) will become the hottest Real Estate over the next few Years.Hopefully , I will live to see it. I hope you will also :-). As long as I live here , I will continue t support all things positive in this City. I know I am not alone.
Happy Birthday Jeff Kohut …. Happy Birthday Jorge Cruze.
Why doesn’t the city offer no interest or low interest micro loans to start up businesses in the city? If you are successful and the city gets money back in the form of taxes for 10 years then part or all if forgiven.
The city can approach businesses to join and contribute money. The city selects a bank or banks to manage the loans.
Take too long. Not sexy enough. Too much work. All of the above?
It’s much easier to have huge empty lots full of future development that never happens. It’s much easier to sell a dream than to deliver something substantial.
And you can sell a dream over and over again. Just make future iterations bigger and better than previous ones. As long as there are fools like Stevie A to buy it why not.
the brewery is a great move…Breweries are hot all over the nation…….Bring in another to the downtown area. Beer drinkers love to bounce from one brewery to another.
Coach T
I’m not saying it’s not a great idea. It’s just not the city’s doing. But they will still try to take credit for it.