Nancy Whiskey's Permit Trouble

**gnome** · February-27-10, 06:48 AM

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...te=fullarticle

As most know the venerable blues bar, a north Corktown stalwart, suffered a terrible fire last October. Seems that the City is giving them a tough time because the owners are holding an old liquor license which doesn't jive with the modern standard of not having bars in residential areas.

Silly, considering the neighborhood and it return to nature setting.

But there is a hearing next week on the building permit and the liquor license.

Now, as Nancy Whiskey's owners -- husband and wife Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens -- hope to rebuild, they face zoning troubles. A hearing before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals is set for Tuesday. ...

Owners, Reyes and Stevens plan to attend a hearing Tuesday before the Detroit Zoning Board of Appeals that could decide its fate.

...

Reyes and Stevens hold a liquor license that's more than 100 years old. It exempted the bar from adhering to more recent zoning rules.
But, because the cost of repairs from the fire damage for Nancy Whiskey's exceeds 60% of the assessed value, "they have to go through the approval process again," said Ed Cardenas, spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing's office. They'll need approval to retain a classification that allows it to operate as a bar in a neighborhood that is zoned residential.
...

Though the bar won't be open for St. Patrick's Day, Reyes and Stevens are working to team up with a nonprofit organization to host a St. Patrick's Day party on March 14 [[the date of the annual Detroit St. Patrick's Day parade) and on March 17 in a tent on the Nancy Whiskey's property. Plans have not been finalized, but information will be on www.nancywhiskeydetroit.comcq,dr when details are available.

I know everyone's plate is full to overflowing, and attending a brain-numbing meeting is not high on your list of things to do. But...

**Meddle** · February-27-10, 06:51 AM

So, who else has a business [[or Church) in the area that's trying to keep them out?

**Gsgeorge** · February-27-10, 01:39 PM

This is just the kind procedure thing that the city needs to reevaluate. Here we have one of the oldest continually-operating bars in the CoD, a landmark of sorts, and a destination for many in a neighborhood that would otherwise be all but forgotten. Business owners have a hard enough time dealing with the city on procedural matters, let alone being stalled from reopening after a devastating fire. The city should be thanking them for sticking around, and making it easier for them to reopen considering the circumstances. They never had a problem in the neighborhood before, but now, all of a sudden, because they were fire damaged, they have to be reevaluated? That's ridiculous. The city should be thanking God on high heaven that they're still here, repairing their building, instead of letting it bite the dust like so many other building owners in this city tend to do after a fire!

**buildingsofdetroit** · February-27-10, 02:50 PM

I was saddened to see the interior photo and just how much was lost. God, I used to love cozying up to that gorgeous bar. I'm so glad they're trying to rebuild, but it's never going to be the same. Sad.

**agirlintheD** · February-27-10, 07:36 PM

If their name was Kilpatrick it would have already been rebuilt...just saying.

**reddog289** · February-28-10, 03:55 AM

Love how people complain on the lack of everything in the COD, Yet it seems to be a pain in the ass to do business in Detroit. The mighty Revs here must be smiling when they hear that a bar can't reopen, Less drinking, Less crime. The people of Detroit and the neighboring citys have spoke . No Alchohol, Its bad for all.
But seriously That place has been a Bar for a long time, Why should they have to go through this crap to reopen?

**1KielsonDrive** · February-28-10, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by reddog289

Love how people complain on the lack of everything in the COD, Yet it seems to be a pain in the ass to do business in Detroit. The mighty Revs here must be smiling when they hear that a bar can't reopen, Less drinking, Less crime. The people of Detroit and the neighboring citys have spoke . No Alchohol, Its bad for all.
But seriously That place has been a Bar for a long time, Why should they have to go through this crap to reopen?

If a business stays closed for a certain amount of time, it might lose its 'grandfather' status, much like happened to the Norwalk Bar in Hamtramck. There are laws and/or codes which define that stuff. Unfortunately, bureaucracies are self fulfilling entities, so they often have a vested interest in the wrestling match. The problem needing to be resolved is strong leaders who seriously desire to do what is good for all concerned. Closing Nancy's wouldn't serve much good for anyone, though it might please a few nearby neighbors. Nancy's has been an anchor of that neighborhood for many years. Let's hope there's someone in city hall that will stand up for them.

**Fury13** · February-28-10, 11:42 PM

The city needs to change its zoning policy. Sorry, but bars belong on corners within neighborhoods. You should be able to walk to them. That's how it's done in cities like Boston, NYC, Chicago. It's part of what makes neighborhoods in those cities appealing.

This modern paradigm of having bars only on commercial strips is anti-urban. But then, Detroit's zoning people must be clueless.

**Fury13** · February-28-10, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

If a business stays closed for a certain amount of time, it might lose its 'grandfather' status, much like happened to the Norwalk Bar in Hamtramck.

So the Norwalk Bar building can no longer be a bar? That's a shame... that place had character. I know the building was purchased; do you know what it will be used for?

**Goose** · February-28-10, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Fury13

The city needs to change its zoning policy. Sorry, but bars belong on corners within neighborhoods. You should be able to walk to them. That's how it's done in cities like Boston, NYC, Chicago. It's part of what makes neighborhoods in those cities appealing.

This modern paradigm of having bars only on commercial strips is anti-urban. But then, Detroit's zoning people must be clueless.

agree

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.

**1KielsonDrive** · February-28-10, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Fury13

The city needs to change its zoning policy. Sorry, but bars belong on corners within neighborhoods. You should be able to walk to them. That's how it's done in cities like Boston, NYC, Chicago. It's part of what makes neighborhoods in those cities appealing.

This modern paradigm of having bars only on commercial strips is anti-urban. But then, Detroit's zoning people must be clueless.

I agree with your comments. But that's partially due to the fact those cities maintained and still have strong, contiguous neighborhoods.

**ddaydetroit** · March-01-10, 01:06 AM

Funny how they make laws they don't want you to drink and drive then they make laws against neighborhood bars that are within walking distance of homes?

**1KielsonDrive** · March-02-10, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by ddaydetroit

Funny how they make laws they don't want you to drink and drive then they make laws against neighborhood bars that are within walking distance of homes?

Absolutely excellent point.

**casscorridor** · March-02-10, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Fury13

The city needs to change its zoning policy. Sorry, but bars belong on corners within neighborhoods. You should be able to walk to them. That's how it's done in cities like Boston, NYC, Chicago. It's part of what makes neighborhoods in those cities appealing.

This modern paradigm of having bars only on commercial strips is anti-urban. But then, Detroit's zoning people must be clueless.

Maybe the problem is that city hall is deciding the zoning, and not the neighborhood itself. Do you think the residents of North Corktown want Nancy's to stick around? If so, I think they should be able to, without interference from city hall.

And can we really trust city hall to zone anything properly? Just look at the massive blunders they've made in the past... demolition of black bottom and the construction of Brewsters, Jefferies, the Freeways and Lafayette Park/Elmwood Park, the Demolition of Rivertown for the supposed casinos, the demolition of the entire riverfront area south of downtown. The list goes on and on and on. Nothing is going to change, until we get rid of corporate control over our city, until people have control over their own neighborhoods and the neighborhoods have control over the city.

**bike4beer** · March-03-10, 10:34 PM

A friend forwarded me an email that was sent out regarding the status of Nancy Whiskey. email appears below.

Hi Everyone:

Sorry you haven't heard from me but there was nothing to report. Now things are starting to move. We had a hearing before the zoning board and they granted our petition and they granted immediate permits.

As for Parade Day and St. Patty's Day the physical bar itself will be closed. HOWEVER, we are working with a non-profit so we can still be there in tents. Will you all respond and let me know if you would attend an event at Nancy's if we were in tents? I would appreciate knowing.

Work is starting tomorrow and we are looking at approximately 6 weeks.

After we open we will be having a SECOND WIND PARTY Celebrating St. Patrick's Day 2010 a month late. We will have irish bands, bag pipers, corned beef, irish coffee the whole nine yards. You will be asked to dress for St. Patty's Day and have all the fun all over again just a little late. I will let everyone know the date.

If you have any suggestions, please let us know. We miss you and I will be send more updates more frequently now that things are moving.

If you didnt' get a chance to see and article in the Detroit Free Press on Saturday here is the link. http://freep.com/article/20100227/ENT1005/2270338/ Also they will be running an article on Friday with all the updates and new information for the Parade Day and St. Patty's Day.

Well that's it for now. You will hear from me soon.