The Barbecue Hall of Fame semifinalists have been announced, and included in the group is Austin pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue. The space will be cleaned during that time, and employees will still be paid as well. The restaurant is aiming to reopen on Friday, May 22. That staffer had last worked at the restaurant on Thursday, April 30, after which they felt sick and stayed at home. South First restaurant Thai Fresh is now closed temporarily because an employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, May 7. Thai Fresh Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19 Calderon and co-owner David Green opened the bar in 2012. Even though the bar is now closed, the bar is still collecting funds for its staffers through the crowdfunding site. Landlords didn’t care.” Co-owner Tino Calderon had started the GoFundMe page in March to help support the bar’s staff and fund the what-had-been eventual reopening of the bar. “With the mandatory closing of bars, no money was generated to pay our rent, imagine that. “It was impossible to maintain our rent and we faced eviction,” the crowdfunding page bluntly stated. John area, according to its Facebook page and its GoFundMe campaign. “(Others get) demolished completely.North Austin gay bar Bout Time 2 is closing permanently at 6607 North I-35 in the St. “It’s a better story than some of the ones that come across our desk as council members,” she said. Tovo said some of the original façades will be incorporated into the redevelopment and Oil Can Harry’s will have the opportunity to return to the space once it is complete. Tovo spoke with the developer and said he recognizes the significance of Oil Can Harry’s and has been working with the owner.
Fourth St., which includes Oil Can Harry’s and two other queer-friendly businesses, Coconut Club and Neon Grotto. Another new development proposal would demolish 201-213 W. ” A building would have to show architectural significance… and cultural historic significance.”Ī couple of blocks south of The Iron Bear is Oil Can Harry’s, Austin’s oldest LGBT entertainment venue. “(The designation process) actually asks properties to qualify in a few different categories,” said District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo, who represents the district where the business is located. (Photo: Samuel Stark, Reporting Texas TV)įor an Austin building to be considered a historic landmark, the Austin Historic Landmark Commission must first approve historic zoning, followed by a city council designation. “It was kind of a shock that the owner was trying to work with another company and tear down the building,” Beshear added.Ī utility box at the intersection of Fourth and Colorado Streets, near many of Austin’s gay bars, bears the colors of the Philadelphia Pride Flag. When they moved into their current location, the owners were aware the building would be torn down at some point, but said there were no other options in the downtown area.Īlthough the owners were aware of the impending demolition of the structure, they did not think it would happen so soon.
The Iron Bear moved from Eighth Street to Sixth Street in February 2020, just three weeks before the first shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the commission recommends historic zoning to the city council at their May 4 meeting, the council will need a supermajority vote to approve the action. The Historic Landmark Commission’s action paused the proposed demolition.
Many in the queer community decried the proposed demolition of The Iron Bear, which led Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission to initiate historic zoning on the bar’s building. The Iron Bear, along with some other queer-friendly spaces on Fourth Street, may soon be demolished to make room for new developments going into the downtown area. It’s important to have spaces like what we are,” Beshear said. “The Iron Bear is place that catches the people that don’t really fit in the stereotypical gay mold. Bengie Beshear, a co-owner of the venue, describes it as welcoming to all types of gay men. AUSTIN, Texas - Nestled among skyscrapers in Austin’s booming downtown area is The Iron Bear, a beloved gay bar on West Sixth Street.