Business
Your Downtown Beer | Beer to Go – Gone?
Posted on 5/16/12 by Rob Fullmer » No Comments
Ambition and Closure. Liquor 24hrs?
It’s the little things sometimes.
I may be one of the few people to notice the mural on the side of the Phoenix Public Market well before the announcement that the indoor market would be closing. The mural depicts a market at the center of a community in the process of rebuilding itself. The market bears a liquor sign with an impossibly ambitious 24 hour sign (currently not legal in AZ or most anyplace for that matter).
Phoenix Public Market’s Urban Grocery never was a liquor store, but it did have the best selection of local beer and wine in all of downtown. The market featured about 2 dozen Arizona produced bottles and cans of beer as well as a few regional craft beers.
The outdoor market will live on. Some have pointed out that it was never a full-service grocer. Others have noted that there are other local gathering places that fulfill the market’s third place qualities.
There may be far more important reasons to note the market’s passing. Your Downtown Beer seeks to work on the practical: “Where does one go to buy packaged quality beer in Downtown Phoenix now that the Phoenix Public Market’s Grocery is closed?”
Downtown Phoenix has good beer available. We’ve established that. If you think about the many dozens of restaurants and beer bars with tapped beers (Copper Blues has over 60 alone) and you add in the extensive bottle list at the Lost Leaf (over 150) you’re looking at hundreds of beer choices, but it’s not as simple as that. All of those places have on-premise licenses — you have to drink it there, you can’t take it with you. When it comes to “beer to go” I can’t resist but make the analogy, “Beer, beer everywhere, but not a drop to take.”
Remembering that Chloe’s Corner took over the Oakville Grocery space and assumed the beer and wine store license, I headed over to Cityscape to see what might be available. To my dismay, Chloe’s was closed for a private event and I was literally shooed away. I couldn’t even press my nose to the glass windows to see what might be available. Rest assured, Chloe. I will be back.
The Lone Arrogant Bastard
Undeterred I popped into CVS and saw several 24 oz cans that are normally seen in slim brown paper bags. A lone Arrogant Bastard bottle mocked me as if it had consumed all of the other beers that might have been in the cooler. Stone Arrogant Bastard is a great beer, but we can do better. We want our locals too.
With many things downtown, you have to know where to go and you may have to widen your search perimeter. Thomas Market Liquor on Thomas and 3rd Avenue fits all of my downtown beer requirements. It has a knowledgeable staff. There are several cooler doors full of regional craft beers as well as fine imports. There is even an entire door filled with beers brewed in Arizona. The beer geek in me noted that the code on an empty shelf indicated there once was bottles Deschutes Dissident. Thomas Market Liquor is just a shade over two miles from the Phoenix Public Market — a short light rail trip or a 15-minute bicycle ride.
Thomas Market Liquor's local beer selection
I settled on a Dogfish Head Theobroma. It’s an ale based upon an ancient Meso-American beer recipe containing cocoa, honey, chilies and annatto. The chiles and spice are a perfect complement a savory pork dish or a dessert with chocolate.
Fortunately, we may be on the verge of a breakthrough when it comes to packaged beer. The Arizona State legislature made a change to Title 4 of the Arizona Revised Statutes that will go into effect in August. The change allows beer bars to fill growlers of beer for off-premise sale. A growler is a 64 ounce glass jug that is filled from the tap. It used to be that only a brewery could fill a growler for sales, “to go.” This law change will allow any beer bar or liquor store with tapped beer to sell them.
There will certainly be a period where businesses work out whether they want to have access to the, “to go” market, so don’t expect a deluge of options right from the get-go. A business has to devote resources and inventory to growlers. Filling a growler without beer loss is not very easy either. One hopes that of the hundreds of beer taps downtown, a few will devote some to off premise sales this summer.
Where do you shop for beer downtown?
Visit: Thomas Market Liquors, 345 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 274-4780
From the Wire | Warehouse Clearance Sale To Benefit Artlink
Posted on 5/15/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
Have anything to donate? Art, furniture, appliances, etc. are welcome. Drop items off on Friday afternoon, May 18th from Noon – 5pm at the parking lot in the rear of the After Hours Building.
Artlink, creator of the wildly popular First Friday’s in downtown Phoenix and Art Detour, one of the longest-running arts events in Arizona, will be the benefactor of a warehouse clearance sale.
The sale will be held on Saturday, May 19th, from 7AM to 12 NOON in the parking lot of the After Hours Building, at 116 W. McDowell Road. The After Hours Building is in the heart of downtown Phoenix, 1 block west of the Phoenix Art Museum and the Central/McDowell Light Rail Stop.
Merchandise comes from a variety of manufacturers and most are never-used overstocks and samples. Items in the sale include gift-wrap, stationery goods, pet products, scrap-booking supplies, t-shirts, greeting cards, holiday decor plus art, furniture, appliances and more. Many prices are discounted nearly 90% from normal retail, with many items marked at just 25 cents.
According to Mike Oleskow, President of Artlink and organizer of the sale, “This is a great opportunity for people to get incredible deals and support the Phoenix Arts community. Proceeds help keep services like the First Friday shuttles running each month. While free for First Friday participants who love using it to explore art and to get around Downtown, the shuttles are Artlink’s biggest expense each month.”
Artlink Phoenix is one of the oldest, all volunteer run, 501-C-3 arts organizations in downtown Phoenix. Its mission is to maintain and enhance regular events, including the monthly First Fridays art walk, the annual Art Detour self-guided tour, an annual Juried Exhibition and an art-related fundraiser.
For more information on Artlink, please visit artlinkphoenix.com.
From the Wire | Community Invited to Help Turn Brown Lots Green
Posted on 5/11/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
“Turning Brown Lots Green”
Roosevelt Row Annual Fundraiser
Join a huge group of local artists, activists, gardeners, elected officials, and committed residents for one of downtown’s biggest annual parties!
Even better, join the party to support one of downtown Phoenix’s most dynamic organizations — Roosevelt Row, CDC, and its burgeoning A.R.T.S. (Adaptive Reuse of Temporary Space) Program.
The program turns empty dirt lots into amazing places like the Valley of the Sunflowers, the A.R.T.S. Market held on First and Third Fridays, the annual Pie Social, and Food Truck Festivals. With your help we will be able to activate additional vacant land in 2012!
Buying a $30 ticket entitles you to two of Bliss/ReBar’s delicious drinks and a smorgasbord of appetizers. Buying a $100 ticket will send you home after the event with a signed, limited edition lithograph by acclaimed local artist James Angel (right). An amazing raffle and silent auction will help cap off the night.
If you go
Event: Turning Brown Lots Green!
Date: Monday, May 21, 2012
Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm
Location: Bliss/ReBAR, 901 N. 4th Street, Phoenix AZ 85004
Tickets: Buy tickets online $30, $100 (includes lithograph) All tickets include two drinks and complimentary appetizers.
Contact: 602.772.0083
All proceeds will support the A.R.T.S. (Adaptive Reuse of Temporary Space) Programs. Programs include: A.R.T.S. Gardens, Market, Sculpture and Film.
Honorary Host Committee
Mayor Greg Stanton • Vice-Mayor Michael Johnson • Councilman Tom Simplot • Senator Steve Gallardo • Senator Robert Meza • Senator David Lujan • Senator Leah Landrum Taylor • Representative Anna Tovar • Representative Martin Quezada • Representative Chad Campbell • Representative Debbie McCune-Davis • Representative Lela Alston • Representative Katie Hobbs • Representative Catherine Miranda • Representative Ruben Gallego
Host Committee
James Angel • Rhonda Bannard • Kenny Barrett • Rhonda Boyle • Eileen Brill-Wagner • Amy Buchan • Dorina Bustamanta • Hillary Butler • Cassidy Campana • Laura Capello • Kendra Cea • Alaina Chabrier • Charles J. Coughlin • Cindy Dach • Jennifer Delgado • Greg Ensell • Greg Esser • Rusty Foley • Francesca Godi • Shannon Goodman • Murphy Hebert • Amy Heisler • Nancy Hill • Jasmine Jarrett • Patty Johnson • Don Keuth • Aaron Kimberlin • Andrew Knochel • Kim Larkin • Carla Logan Wade • Kali Miller • Frank McCune • Jim McPherson • Joe Murphy • Benah Parker • Vermon Pierre • Chris Pruitt • Alison Rainey • Lawrence Robinson • Shannon and Chip Scutari • Marshall Shore • Alisa Lyons Sloan • Eric Sloan • Nicole Underwood • Toby Urvater • Amber Williams •
• Eileen Yazzie • Daniel Zawisha •
Brought to you by
COX, APS and Highground Public Affairs Consultants
From the Wire | Win a Home for 20 Bucks
Posted on 5/11/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
TWO HOMES ARE TOP PRIZE FOR NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISER
Grand Prize
Proceeds Support Summer Youth and Homeownership Programs that Benefit Phoenix Residents
The Capitol Mall Association (CMA) is spearheading a fundraising effort that will culminate in awarding homes to two lucky winners during a drawing to be held at CMA offices, on May 31, 2012.
The public will have an opportunity to win one of two grand prizes – a ready-to-live-in home, along with four other prizes included in the raffle.
CMA is a community-based non-profit development organization that provides affordable housing opportunities to first time homebuyers to re-establish inner city neighborhoods, supports neighborhood crime and blight reduction programs, as well as community service programs that help build a stronger sense of unity among the residents.
First Place Prize
“We’ve been able to acquire some great homes over the last year and we decided to create a fund raising campaign by raffling two of those properties. It is important to understand that approximately 86% of our fund raising dollars are reinvested into the communities where we work. Our focus this year is to support a free summer food program, a community recycling program, build a crosswalk, and install alley lighting for the safety of children and families,” said CMA Executive Director, Shannon Dubasik.
For a ticket price of $20 each or 6 for $100, everyone that enters is eligible to win:
• Two homes (one located in the Central Phoenix area and one in the West Valley)
• Two, 32″ Flat Screen LCD HDTV
• Two, Stereo Shelf systems including amplifier, CD player and FM radio with 2-way speakers, built-in dock for Apple® iPod® or iPhone®
• Three, Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera, and
• Three, LCD Digital Photo Frame, 8″ or 9″ Screen
Tickets are available for sale online through May 29, 2012. For additional information, ticket purchases, and to view the fundraising video, visit the CMA website at www.capitolmall.org.
About Capitol Mall Association
Capitol Mall Association (CMA) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors comprised of residents, area property and business owners, and advisors from the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona. CMA primarily serves the downtown Phoenix neighborhoods bound by I-10 Freeway North and the railroad tracks South of Harrison Street; 27th Avenue to 7th Avenue. In 2007, the Board of Directors voted to expand CMA’s housing services mission city wide with a focus on underserved areas. For more information, visit their website.
From the Wire | Certified Local Fall Festival to Move Downtown
Posted on 5/10/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
Eighth Annual Certified Local Fall Festival Is On The Move!
New Downtown Phoenix location allows more space to showcase local business Phoenix, Arizona
After seven amazing years at the Duck & Decanter’s Camelback location, Local First Arizona’s annual festival of all things local will move to Downtown Phoenix’s Portland Place, a mini-park located on Portland Street between Third and Central Avenues. This beautiful green space will allow the Certified Local Fall Festival to better accommodate the many local businesses who want to be a part of the Festival as well as allow more room for attendees to stroll, shop, eat and be entertained in a unique urban setting. The Festival will be held on Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This transition is a big move for Local First Arizona and is indicative of the rapid growth of the organization. “The Mettlers, who own the Duck and Decanter, are like family to us – they have been with us through thick and thin and they are helping us with this transition because we have just outgrown the space at our old location. They are outstanding event organizers and we are so lucky to still have them with us,” explained Kimber Lanning, Director of Local First. “We fully expect to have the same vibe, but this will allow us to include more food, more retail, more local beers and wines – it will just be the next step for us to grow an already successful event.”
Voted “Best Free Festival” in 2011’s New Times Best Of Phoenix awards, this family-friendly festival has a street fair atmosphere and has drawn upwards of 6,000 attendees in past years. The event is open to the public and will offer a variety of local businesses, restaurants, live music and children’s activities. Previous vendors include a variety of businesses that are unique to Arizona like Bookmans, Practical Art, Zia Records, Frances Boutique, Smeeks Candy Shop, Kidstop Toys, Pink House Boutique, Strawberry Hedgehog, Desert Song Yoga, Noble Beast Pet Boutique, Hubbard Family Swim School, Postino, Spinato’s Pizza, The Parlor, St. Francis, Urban Cookies, America’s Taco Shop, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Green New American Vegetarian. This year’s event will add a food truck court, an expanded beer and wine garden and more fun arts, crafts and games for kids. Live music will be provided by Arizona musicians and the first 500 attendees will receive gift bags. A raffle and silent auction will raise funds for Local First and will include stay-cation packages from around the state, free dinners and tickets to Valley-wide events.
The event historically has been a great place to get a jump start on holiday shopping, while attendees can enjoy some of the Valley’s best restaurants, breweries and wineries. Bring the whole family, there’s something for everyone!
Event Details
What: 8th Annual Certified Local Fall Festival presented by Local First Arizona
When: Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Portland Place, on Portland Street between Third and Central Avenues, Downtown Phoenix
Cost: Free to attend. Admittance to Beer & Wine Garden is $10 which includes samples of a wide variety of Arizona beers & wines. Food will be available for $1 or less.
