Downtown Update

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by emge

We've got a few good ones too. Don't (entirely) despair.

most certainly.
some are absolutely great.
Unfortunately, that is the minority. I've had various dealings with the city over the years and the nonsense you have to go through in the planning/zoning departments is unreal.
No wonder home-builders just start bribing staff and paying for councillors election campaigns. It's way easier and cheaper than dealing with the never-ending red tape.

But yes, some councillors do a great job and I'm sure most, if not all, are wonderful people.

[adam]

[raisethehammer]

this isn't the 1940's anymore.
The city's zoning is completely out of date. Back then, nobody in their right mind would envision at old factory on Steven Street being used as a residential loft, theatre, performing space, art gallery, lounge etc.....
nobody would have envisioned a TV studio being used for weddings, banquents, concerts, theatre etc.....

It's how other cities end up with wicked places like the Distillery District, King West (TO) and Pearl District (Portland).

"we've never allowed liquor in old factories so we sure aren't going to now, darn it!" is not the way of bringing Hamilton into the 21st Century and attracting all the 'cool kids' from TO as the National Post put it.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

I've never been to a theatre that didn't serve alcohol. Heck, even movie theatres are now starting to include licenced areas (e.g. the Silver City Oakville on Burloak).

My point is, the licensing and zoning should have been something attended to at the time of purchase in 2005, not three years after the fact. How is it the city's fault that the owner did not properly license it from the start - and was apparantly unaware of its zoning restrictions? If he had done his homework, the zoning issue would have come to light years ago.

Everyone is on the same page about bylaws and the amount of paperwork a business owner needs to deal with to get a business up and running in this city. Tim McCabe has identified this as a problem and committed himself to improving the overall process. Perhaps this case should be a reason to support his efforts, rather than the typical knee-jerk criticism of the city.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

My point is, the licensing and zoning should have been something attended to at the time of purchase in 2005, not three years after the fact.

I'm not disputing this, except to suggest that their business plan seems to have changed since they first opened the theatre (as most business plans do once they come into contact with reality).

My point is that if Hamilton had effective, investment-friendly licencing and coding regulations - as many other cities already have - this wouldn't be an issue in the first place.

Originally Posted by markbarbera

Everyone is on the same page about bylaws and the amount of paperwork a business owner needs to deal with to get a business up and running in this city. Tim McCabe has identified this as a problem and committed himself to improving the overall process. Perhaps this case should be a reason to support his efforts, rather than the typical knee-jerk criticism of the city.

It's not knee-jerk criticism to complain that the city hasn't done something it needs to do so badly that everyone agrees about it, from urban activists to the general manager of planning and economic development.

[thistleclub]

Re: Westside

The Tivoli was licensed, was it not? And will this mean that Creative Arts Inc., the other half of the operation, has to find a new home? (My curiosity is componded by the domain action at http://www.creativearts.on.ca.)

[realcity]

there's two arguments happening here.

1. YES The City's by-laws are extremely outdated. I get it. But.....

2. Lieberman has only himself to fault. If he's trying to prove a point about outdated by-laws he's certainly not doing a good job. LLBOs are one thing, but the city first should start with multi-use zoning allowances and drop the ridiculous parking requirements.

I agree with markbarera.... operate on 'stag' licenses and lobby for a rezone/LLBO. But why has he waited until now to do this? Also the place is a dive.. it was pitched as a new 'theatre' not a place for stag & does and weddings.

I've been to many OPera and Aquarius productions and while there is some drinking at intermission, it's only a 12-24 at most in line. It could have to do with intermission is only about 10 minutes long by the time you make your way to the lobby. Lieberman's format may be different but I'm sure with some creative problem solving he can have a temp solution, instead of another blame game a la Tivoli.

[raisethehammer]

Spoons Cafe is open on King East in IV now.
Hard to tell how busy it is riding by with the frosted glass windows...I hate it when eateries make their windows hard to see through from the outside.

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

Spoons Cafe is open on King East in IV now.
Hard to tell how busy it is riding by with the frosted glass windows...I hate it when eateries make their windows hard to see through from the outside.

I would think people inside appreciate it

[highwater]

I doubt that. Part of the reason people dine out is to see and be seen.

[adam]

Tinting windows of a restaurant is a suburban idea where you go to a restaurant to forget that you are in a subdivision.

A downtown restaurant, on the other hand, benefits from the streetscape and it adds to the experience. Maxim's Deli had this feel to it. I used to enjoy eating there and watching the happenings on King St. The owner was from Toronto.

[emge]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

Spoons Cafe is open on King East in IV now.
Hard to tell how busy it is riding by with the frosted glass windows...I hate it when eateries make their windows hard to see through from the outside.

speaking of coffee, I'm going to stop by that cafe a second time... I got a coffee when they first opened up, and it was awful.. Not coffee-snob awful, but "this-tastes-like-bad-instant-coffee" awful.

But the one guy working was also dealing with some some Internet hookup issue, and they were friendly, so I'll give them a second shot and hopefully it was just a bad pot or something. Otherwise, I don't see how a cafe can survive that long with bad coffee, especially with FRWY across the street.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by emge

speaking of coffee, I'm going to stop by that cafe a second time... I got a coffee when they first opened up, and it was awful.. Not coffee-snob awful, but "this-tastes-like-bad-instant-coffee" awful.

But the one guy working was also dealing with some some Internet hookup issue, and they were friendly, so I'll give them a second shot and hopefully it was just a bad pot or something. Otherwise, I don't see how a cafe can survive that long with bad coffee, especially with FRWY across the street.

They aren't open on weekends! I don't know how a breakfast place can survive when they don't open on weekends. I thought that was the time that people went out for breakfast......

Time will tell.

[Jon Dalton]

Green Deli is getting better. They have focaccias now, and Locke Street bagels. If you're looking for anything on a sunday morning, this is your only bet, seeing as the rest of the street shuts down.

Something finally opened in the Claudias building, a thrift store. It's called Magical Mystery Store. They have records, clothes and assorted junk. Mostly garbage, but they did only just open. If you have anything to get rid of, please take it there instead of Value, which is just another big box. I can't see this place possibly making rent in this location, but more power to them for trying.

Also, this isn't new but I must put a good word in for the Coffee House at James and Bold. I'd passed this by for years being a regular House of Java customer, but I rediscovered it over the last month. They have a broad selection of coffee and tea accessories such as french presses, gold filters and even a vacuum brewer. They serve espresso based beverages as well as brewed coffee and they sell beans. I've got my last couple pounds of beans there and they are top quality. Check this place out if you haven't already.

[emge]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Also, this isn't new but I must put a good word in for the Coffee House at James and Bold. I'd passed this by for years being a regular House of Java customer, but I rediscovered it over the last month. They have a broad selection of coffee and tea accessories such as french presses, gold filters and even a vacuum brewer. They serve espresso based beverages as well as brewed coffee and they sell beans. I've got my last couple pounds of beans there and they are top quality. Check this place out if you haven't already.

I've been wanting to head down there, but I'm rarely on James South for any other reason - you've given me another reason to make a point of it.

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Something finally opened in the Claudias building, a thrift store. It's called Magical Mystery Store. They have records, clothes and assorted junk. Mostly garbage, but they did only just open. If you have anything to get rid of, please take it there instead of Value, which is just another big box. I can't see this place possibly making rent in this location, but more power to them for trying.

Closed last week.

[raisethehammer]

yea, Spoons is on a great stretch across the street from a bunch of buildings that have been beautifully renovated in the past couple years.
You want people inside to enjoy gazing out over the street and you want people walking by to look inside and see a nice, bustling scene.
I guess in the suburbs you can eat in a big, windowless box since nobody is walking by and there's nothing to look at, but downtown I NEVER go into a place without windows or with windows covered up.

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

yea, Spoons is on a great stretch across the street from a bunch of buildings that have been beautifully renovated in the past couple years.
You want people inside to enjoy gazing out over the street and you want people walking by to look inside and see a nice, bustling scene.
I guess in the suburbs you can eat in a big, windowless box since nobody is walking by and there's nothing to look at, but downtown I NEVER go into a place without windows or with windows covered up.

Hmm, well I live in the suburbs and I am currently a broke student, so as much as I would like to start checking out restaurants downtown I can't for now.

Anyone want to pick up the tab? lol

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by crhayes

Hmm, well I live in the suburbs and I am currently a broke student, so as much as I would like to start checking out restaurants downtown I can't for now.

Anyone want to pick up the tab? lol

LOL...I hear ya. Been there, done that.
Lots of freebies at fast food joints back then. ugh, I can't believe what I used to eat! haha

[emge]

Originally Posted by crhayes

Hmm, well I live in the suburbs and I am currently a broke student, so as much as I would like to start checking out restaurants downtown I can't for now.

Anyone want to pick up the tab? lol

I hear ya.. I visit a lot of places just for a coffee, or coffee and dessert... its a nice way to get to know new places without spending a fortune.

(I love the Bad Dog Cafe, and I just took my father-in-law for a burger there a few weeks ago. Coming from the world of Boston Pizza and Wendy's, he felt a little out of place... but it was a good enough burger to change his mind!)