New restaurant coming to town in spring
A new restaurant is being developed for the corner of West Gould and Van Buren streets in downtown Nashville.
The Nashville Development Review Commission granted conditional approval to the owners of Brown Bike last week to create an outdoor seating area at the corner and make a couple of changes to the existing building. It most recently housed an insurance office.
The approval is conditional because the restaurant owners, Jeff and Doug Crook, didn’t have details yet about the changes they wanted to make to porch railings or windows. If they want to go outside the written guidelines, they’ll have to go back before the board.
The Crook brothers and their father, Dean, operate two restaurants in Indianapolis: a sandwich shop in Lockerbie Marketplace and the Italian cafe Fresco on the canal, Jeff Crook said. Their Indianapolis restaurants specialize in slow-cooked, Chicago-style Italian beef, their websites say.
Most of the seating will be outside because of the space they’ll need in the 608-square-foot building for the kitchen, Jeff Crook said.
The brothers are working with landscape architects to design an attractive and functional dining space at the corner, with sailcloth or other coverings to protect diners from the weather. Plans also include a small, elevated stage for live music.
They estimated Brown Bike would stay open until around Christmastime, be closed in January and February and reopen in spring.
The projected opening for this restaurant is March or April.
The owners would like to get a liquor license, but right now, a riverfront license is not available unless the town council increases the number it will offer. The council will consider that next month.
“We want to provide an experience,” Doug Crook said. … “‘Brown Bike’ plays into ‘Brown County,’ and we know that biking has become very popular in this area. … We want to be a part of the community.”
The DRC voted unanimously in favor of granting a certificate of appropriateness, with members Tricia Bock, Bruce Gould and Teresa Waltman absent.
“We all know what Big Woods (restaurant and brewing company) has done to revitalize and help downtown Nashville,” said DRC member and nearby business owner Mike Patrick. “This is only going to help.”
‘Passport’ shopping promotion starts soon
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce’s holiday season “passport” program starts this weekend and concludes Jan. 7.
Visitors and locals can pick up a passport at a participating business (look for signs) and get them stamped with the amount spent there. When completed, passports can be dropped off at designated locations and be entered into a drawing for prizes each week. Prizes include gift certificates from participating businesses, overnight stays, entertainment and restaurant bucks.
Everyone who completes a passport will be eligible to win the grand prize of $500 cash and a Brown County getaway for two, which will be drawn at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 on Facebook Live.
Passport holders also can vote for winners in the chamber’s holiday window/storefront decorating contest, with cash prizes and a plaque awarded.
A list of participating businesses is posted at browncountypassport.com.
Chamber of commerce board members needed
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications to fill board vacancies.
Applicants must be representing a current chamber member business and be willing to serve a three-year term. Board members are expected to take on leadership roles in various projects and encourage Chamber member participation.
Interested members can apply at thebrowncountychamber.org.
