All newspaper references are welcome, especially when they involve wine. One of the coolest places I’ve been in awhile is The Press downtown.
After a long day of meetings, it was a refreshing treat to sit, talk and sip wine without the kids. (I did eventually have to pick them up, though.)
The Press is one of the bright spots of downtown. Billy, however, says (via Yes!, and we had it, too) that two music establishments, The Flying Anvil and Gate City Noise are closing shop, putting a dark cloud on the downtown scene.
As a father of two young children, it would be a pipe dream for me to hang out at either of these places. But I’m not sure that Billy’s reference to “the powers that be” having a major role in the decision is correct. If a majority of people don’t think the blue laws are still relevant, isn’t it up to the people to lobby their representatives to change them? But the club membership-for-liquor deal may not be the only reason the Anvil shut down.
Businesses run their courses over time and the odds are generally against startups. Let’s hope that some cool new spots follow the cool old ones. And that we can get babysitters.