Next on downtown New Albany’s set list: “Speakeasy,” a little jazz number.
East End residents Brad and Lori Tharp have leased a former antique store on State Street between Main and Market streets. By late spring, they plan to open a restaurant and bar and host jazz performances on a near-daily basis.
Speakeasy will be the first jazz club they’ve managed, although “we’ve played in a lot of them,” Brad Tharp said Thursday. He plays trumpet, she’s a pianist and both teach music, Brad privately and Lori in a Pekin school.
The couple conceived the business model five years ago, only recently deciding to add the food element — chef Kevin Crum and his Cajun and Creole specialties came recommended by Dave Clancy, owner of Bistro New Albany, Tharp said.
After the weekly newspaper LEO edged them out a year ago for a building off Louisville’s Theater Square, the Tharps connected with Mike Kopp, a real estate broker who has catalyzed several commercial deals in downtown New Albany. They found 225 and 223 State St., a three-story building erected in 1860.
“We feel this is a better situation,” Tharp said. “And the downtown area is historic.”
Owner Steve Resch snapped up the vacant property and its two-foot-thick brick walls in September with designs on renovating and leasing the 6,000-square-foot first floor to a restaurateur.
“I’ve always like the way it looked,” said Resch, who also owns an industrial property near the Tharps’ home. “The building’s got a lot of character.”
Resch began “painting the ceiling, redoing the floor, putting in all-new trim.” The building’s structure is solid, and the second floor needs even less cosmetic help, Resch said, so he hopes to lease that eventually as well.
But the first floor will be all Speakeasy: restaurant and stage on the south side, bar and lounge on the north.
When Tharp approached the Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday to get Speakeasy’s signs approved, he reassured Vice Chairman David Barksdale that Resch would paint over the painted words — “FOR SALE” — that emblazon the riverfront side of the building’s third story.
“We do have a few buildings for sale,” Barksdale said, “but coming over the bridge, it looks like the whole town is for sale.”
At Speakeasy, entry will be sold infrequently. Tharp said booking agents in New York would help him recruit national acts every three months or so, and tickets would be sold through Ticketmaster.
Otherwise, Tharp anticipates, entry fees will be nonexistent. Part of the driving force for Brad, 31, and Lori, 44, was their desire “to treat musicians well and eliminate cover charges.” Most of the musicians will be local performers whom Tharp hopes will become regulars.
Speakeasy will stay open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, extending to midnight Friday and Saturday. Tharp said Sunday hours hinge on whether or not Crum can be convinced to cook brunch.
Business/Money
Related Photos
-
Staff Photo by Eric Scott Campbell
Discussion
Career musicians to open Speakeasy in New Albany
- Business/Money
-
-
Greenville town manager hired, incensing silenced crowd
Richardson threatened to have the town marshal clear the gym, but decided against it.
“I am asking people out there to stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you. You elected us to represent you.”
But that only go the crowd more incensed.
“You ought to be run out of town Talbotte,” yelled one resident. -
Half of Jeffersonville Fire Department overtime budget already gone
During the closing moments of the meeting Councilman Matt Owen said he was shocked by Mayor Moore’s plans and comments pertaining to two Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Department matters reported in the News and Tribune during the last week.
-
Charlestown resident makes appeal for filtration plant
“I understand that manganese is a secondary contaminant and it’s not something that’s necessarily harmful to health,” Burchett said. “I would much prefer that the water that comes into my home have as little manganese in it as possible, as well as anything else. I just want water.”
-
New Albany council opposes two low-income developments
Councilman Greg Phipps said the measure was changed because there could be “some legal issues” with the way it was originally written. He said regardless, such a resolution that targets low-income developments intimates underlying stereotypes to the community even if it’s not the intention of those who supported the measure.
-
Elderly man robbed outside Jeffersonville bank
The man returned to his car and sat down to close the car door when Williams grabbed the door and reached inside the vehicle, Hollis said.
-
A fair fee? Indiana imposing fees for 4-H participants for the first time
Allen said his hope is the fee being charged by the state and the county will be enough to cover costs and that 4-H members will not be asked to cover any more expenses.
“They have never had to pay a program fee,” Allen said. -
Council considers opposing low-income developments
Councilman John Gonder said he supports a system that would allow the city to cap sewer credits for low-income housing and give preference to the New Albany Housing Authority.
He conceded his wife does sit on the housing authority board, but believes the city should give favor to the entity when it comes to low-income lodging because it has to meet federal guidelines. -
New Albany ‘in the process of deciding’ riverfront schedule
Several parties have expressed interest in helping with planning events and Gahan said “I want to encourage” an inclusive group to manage the program. He added his administration wants to press for more shows at the downtown farmers’ market stage off Market Street as well.
-
CAPITOL CROSSROADS: Bauer tactics unite, divide outnumbered Dems
Democrats like Rep. Peggy Welch, who was drawn into a more Republican district last year, refused to boycott with Bauer.
-
CHEERS TO THIS: Local beer businesses rank among tops in the nation
- More Business/Money Headlines
-
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
