Connor's Place ceases and will make way for an Italian-themed eatery -- or so we're told.

8:20 p.m. photo update, courtesy of Mike Kopp:

I've received confirmation of the rumors that Connor's Place is no more. As of the past weekend, Dave Himmel's bar on Market Street has closed, with its place to be taken by an Italian eatery. The name I've heard bandied about is La Bocca -- can anyone confirm that?

As it has been explained to me, the new operator approached Steve Resch about buying the building, and in the process also bought Himmel's equipment and furnishings.

Naturally, we're sad to see Dave Himmel and his establishment depart the downtown scene. It was difficult for him to establish a niche amid the many incoming food and drink businesses, and at least this way, he gets something back for his investment. I'll have more information on the new restaurant when it comes to me.

Meanwhile, the new location for La Rosita's on Pearl Street has been the scene of painting and interior work during the past two weeks, and further afield, Milltown's Blue River Cafe burned yesterday morning.

Upcoming events at Connor's Place.

Straight from Dave Himmel's command center, here are a few of the upcoming events at Connor’s Place in downtown New Albany, where two of NABC's beers customarily are on tap. The pub is located at 134 East Market in downtown New Albany. If you haven't seen Dave's remodeled new digs, come and take a look. It's comfortable and convenient to other downtown spots.

Wednesday, December 10
World Class Beverages Holiday Beer Tasting
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday, December 12
Live music: Da Mudcats
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Friday, December 19
Rib Tip Dinner, featuring Rib Tip Tony
Starts at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 20
Live music: Da Mudcats
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Friday, December 26
Live music: Louisville Blues
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Market Street Fish House to open on Wednesday.

The Green Mouse says that Dave Himmel is opening the Market Street Fish House at 133 East Market (location of the now defunct Treet’s Bakery Café) on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Here's the scoop:

"Dave is serving your no-trans-fat deep fried favorites. Fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, scallops, fries, rings, hush puppies. Accompanied with your favorite homemade remoulades and homemade cole slaw.

"I had the privilege of sampling Dave's cooking today. It's fresh seafood hand battered right here on Market. No cutting corners on quality or taste! The hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with Saturday hours to be announced later."

Tribune visits Connor's Place during last night's grand opening gala.

The Tribune was there last night:

Drink scene spills south from Market Street, by Eric Scott Campbell.

Connor’s Place, a bar catering to the pub-grub-and-patio crowd, opened its doors Monday evening next to the Parthenon at Main and Bank streets. Owner and father Dave Himmel leased and renovated the historic Maytag building after selling his stake in the neighboring Bistro New Albany last winter.

It was a good crowd and much fun last evening. Best of luck to the Himmels.

Connor's Place grand opening is tonight; regular business hours to commence tomorrow.

We are beginning the week with a sad farewell ... and a joyous new beginning.

Rick Carmickle’s funeral is today. He died last Thursday, and will be sorely missed downtown. Oft-quoted words written by Kurt Vonnegut, another pure Hoosier original just like Rick, seem highly appropriate as we celebrate Rick's life:

"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies -- 'God damn it, you've got to be kind.'"

Rick didn't get his hundred years, but he was kind, and he did much good. I’ll have one in his memory tonight at Connor’s Place, the new eatery and bar owned by former Bistro New Albany co-proprietor Dave Himmel.

That's because Dave is having an official grand opening party and ribbon cutting from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. this evening.

As a reminder, Dave won’t be open for lunch today in preparation for this evening’s event, but regular business hours (Monday-Saturday, lunch and dinner) will begin on Tuesday.

As a recently minted board member of Develop New Albany, and as longtime co-owner of the New Albanian Brewing Company, I’m very happy to represent both my organizations at the ribbon cutting.

With relaxed sports bar ambience and casual dining in a historic building at 207/209 E Main (next to the Parthenon), Connor’s Place is the newest downtown New Albany drinking and dining entry. Dave has another knockout outdoor seating area to go along with the Bistro New Albany beautiful patio, and a fine draft lineup: NABC Community Dark and Elector, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Spaten Premium Lager, Franziskaner Hefe, and a sixth rotating choice. There’s also wine and full bar service.

Readers are invited to come down and see us on Monday night.

Stop by Connor's Place on Saturday and check out NA's newest downtown business.

Exhausted proprietor Dave Himmel tells NAC that his Connor’s Place bar and eatery (207 E. Main Street, New Albany) has cleared all regulatory hurdles and will be open for “soft” business Saturday beginning around 11:00 a.m. Call for details at 812-944-0207.

It is located in the former Maytag Laundry building next to the Parthenon.

Please note that owing to the last minute delays and legalese, only a small selection of Dave’s anticipated food and drink choices will be available during the “soft” Saturday hours. NABC’s Elector and Community Dark are on tap, and will be joined by four as yet undetermined drafts (Franziskaner, et al) next week. For the time being, there’ll be pizza, appetizers beer and Dave’s gregarious personality.

See this previous posting for more details: Another new downtown New Albany beginning: Connor’s Place.

Another new downtown beginning: Connor’s Place.

Former Bistro New Albany partner Dave Himmel tells NA Confidential that his new downtown eatery and watering hole, to be called Connor’s Place – named in honor of his infant son – has a projected opening date of May 1.

Connor’s Place will occupy ground floor space in the historic building that most readers know as the old Maytag Laundry, located adjacent to the Parthenon at 207 E. Main Street. Both buildings are owned by Third Century Services.

Interior remodeling has begun, and part of the lease package is an atmospheric back bar once housed around the corner at the New Albany Inn – now the Bistro New Albany.

Precise details are of course uncertain at this early date, but Dave tells us that he will be acquiring a three-way alcohol sales permit under the auspices of the riverfront development district, and the barroom itself will be on the right side (looking from the front) and separate from a dining area on the left. There is a roomy and shady patio to the rear, which will be accessible from the dining area.

Tentatively, Dave plans a full and varied lunch menu with pub grub in the evenings, and six beers on tap in addition to wine and liquor. He views the warm and historic ambience of the interior as appealing both to non-drinking diners and sports viewers seeking refreshment during prime events.

Connor’s Place stands to occupy another important niche in the growing portfolio of downtown New Albany’s expanding dining, drinking and entertainment options, which include the recently opened Treet’s Bakery Café and the forthcoming Speakeasy on State Street.

These are precisely the sort of developments that attract precisely the sort of people who are needed to fuel and sustain a renaissance, itself something that no longer can be doubted. NA Confidential will continue to chart these trends, and as we do, lift a Progressive Pint to Dave Himmel and these other pioneers downtown, and please support them with your patronage.

(Don’t forget Extreme Belgian at bNA on Monday, March 5)

Photo credit: Building view courtesy of Third Century Services.