Comment 39081

By jason (registered) | Posted March 24, 2010 at 09:46:56

Not that one person can single-handedly create a "bar district" (well, not without a LOT of money), but I just hope the underlying push is not for a string of bars side by side akin to Hess Village. That's OK for a place like Hess or even Augusta, where we aren't talking about street level retail space. James needs to continue moving toward becoming a mixed-use extravaganza. It's close but not there yet. What's great about the gallery "scene" is that they are scattered along the street, not all clumped into a single-use destination, and they co exist with all sorts of other businesses and residential units.

That's the beauty of James North. It exists in this manner and even with My Dog Joe opening along with The Brain and potentially a licensed cafe in the old Riccas building I don't think there needs to be any fear of another Hess Village happening here. James North already has a solid base of retail uses and galleries etc..... What I hear Brad saying is that James will also now gain a few new places that are a little cooler and a little more tame than the old bar scene on James North. Anyone who knows My Dog Joe in Westdale will have a good idea of why it's such a big addition to James North. There simply isn't anywhere that laid back and with that vibe on James. I haven't been into the Brain yet, but have peered through the windows and it also strikes me as a more laid back cafe/bar like the Bar on Locke.
This is good news for James St and given the existing property owners that already own buildings along the stretch I don't think we need to worry about another Hess on James.

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds