The city’s Planning Department is recommending against a proposed downtown wine bar, citing an already high concentration of businesses that serve alcohol.
Marin County resident Barbara Quilici-Rist wants to open a neighborhood wine bar called Corkscrew next to Water Street Bistro near the corner of Petaluma Boulevard North and Western Avenue. She envisions a “friendly” locale where customers can choose from a menu of appetizers and desserts and enjoy live music on the outdoor patio.
But the Petaluma Police Department says adding yet another drinking establishment to downtown will increase the already high number of calls for service, where police frequently respond to break up fights or people driving drunk.
In a review of the application, the police say that according to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the area should have only have eight establishments with liquor licenses. Presently, there are 66, or more than eight times the recommended number.
Quilici-Rist says Corkscrew would be different than many of the surrounding bars (like Andresen’s or Gayles) in that it would cater to an older clientele. In addition, the business would offer seminars and tastings to educate the public about fine wine and offer live guitar and jazz several times a week.
On Tuesday, the Petaluma Planning Commission will discuss the pros and cons of the business, which both the Petaluma Downtown Association and the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce are supporting.
“Petaluma made a commitment to establish a vibrant promenade with an emphasis on the river,” wrote Jeff Mayne, president of the PDA in a recent letter to the city. “Giving patrons a reason to enjoy a friendly gathering place outdoors is exemplified by the type of business proposed with “Corkscrew.”
Others agree.
Dave Alden is a civil engineer and Patch blogger who often writes about how to make urban spaces more “livable.” He says getting people downtown even after the restaurants have closed is good and will keep crime at bay.
“The proposed decision misses the point,” Alden said. “Yes, there is a crime and vandalism problem in the area in the late night hours, and yes, the problem is caused in large part by some of the places with alcohol licenses. But the best strategy to push back against lawlessness isn't police enforcement. It's putting more law-abiding people in the area. Eyes on the street matter.”
What's your take? Would you like to see a new wine bar with live music downtown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VLTE7P3vs
66 bars? At this point what IS the point in not having one more???:-)
• Police don't have far to drive to get there. Chances are they're already there. • Bar patrons who want to try another atmosphere can walk, instead of drive to another bar. I'm sure there are other advantages. Will another wine bar take away customers from local bistros? I'm not sure. Different hours of operation I imagine.
Every race, color, creed and income level rolls by, evenly distributed, many higher than a Georgia pine and pretty much loving the moment. Petaluma Pete addresses this with a "Don't Drink & Drive" banner right there on the 'ol 88s and, frankly, these folks are as much fun to watch as they are to play for. See it here: http://goo.gl/CH4QQ In over 5 years, I have never had one problem with anyone, drinking or dry. Truth is, downtown Petaluma is many things to many visitors depending on the time of day. Rowdy partiers before 11:00 in the morning are not to be found and most responsible parents are home with their children long before11:00 at night... as it should be. Come on down. It's all good.
They fight, they screech, they do all sorts of unsavory things in every town, large and small, coast to coast. Personally, I can only compare Petaluma to every other town I have lived in over the years, from E. St. Louis to South Chicago to Meridian, Mississippi to Los Angeles, Dallas, Oceanside, Youngstown, ... Petaluma has it so far ahead of these other places all I can do is smile and thank my lucky stars to be living here. But that's just me. :-)
I see what Wine Bars have done to downtown Healdsburg and the Sonoma Square and can't believe this is even an issue or concern.
I think that there IS a difference in clientele between this proposal and say, Gayle's Central Club in terms of behavioral problems and Police calls. How many D&D arrests down at the wine bar in Theater Square? Vine & Barrel draining manpower from the PD? I will defer to "Pete's" observations about the diversity of the people, and the intoxicated people; he's the man on the scene and sees more than the cops can, but unless he corrects me here I'm assuming its different folks puking and brawling and whatnot. There definitely is an impact to alcohol sales, but denying this permit won't improve the situation or 'protect' us. As to "Marin Outsiders", uh, well, that seems like a bit of a lame attitude. We're you here first? Want to keep 'em out? Yeah, so are you Miwok or Pomo? 'Cuz otherwise, you weren't here first. And since Water Street doesn't do dinners very often, how does a neighboring business infringe?
This random video found on the internet is an accurate example of what is happening now on that corner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VLTE7P3vs However, the whole idea behind the Petaluma Pete character is to help promote Petaluma businesses. Therefore, if it is no longer a good fit at that location, perhaps Putnam Plaza or out in front of Lala's might be a nice change after all these years. Either way, all good. Just happy to be here and to be interacting with this great little town regardless of how much or how little it drinks. :-)