New Albany Beer Week 2019 will begin on May 25 and conclude with the Fest of Ale on June 1.

I'm happy to say the ball's in the air: New Albany Beer Week 2019.

We're hoping to revive a New Albany Beer Week to precede the 2019 Keg Liquors Fest of Ale.

It's a week-long celebration of events and specials by the bars and restaurants of New Albany, Indiana as we recognize the beverage that saved the world: BEER.

New Albany Beer Week culminates with the Fest of Ale on June 1. There'll be more specific details to follow, but for now, know that the week of May 25 - June 1 is going to be an excellent time to enjoy beer in our fair city.

Here's the link to Keg Liquors Fest of Ale, and here's the skinny on two Fest of Ale pre-sale events events next week at The Exchange.

Keg Liquors Fest of Ale Pre-Sale on the Patio at The Exchange

Join us for a TWO night exclusive discounted ticket pre-sale event! On Wednesday, April 10th or Thursday, April 11th, you'll have the opportunity to save $10+ Fees on tickets for the 14th Annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale.

When? April 10 & 11th
Time? 5-8 PM
Location? The Exchange pub + kitchen on the Patio, weather permitting.
Address? 118 W Main St, New Albany, IN 47150
How much are tickets? $35 pre-sale pricing. Save $10 + Fees

Save the Date for the 14th Annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale happening Saturday, June 1 at the New Albany Amphitheater benefiting the WHAS Crusade for Children through the New Albany Fire Department. We greatly appreciate the continued support of local businesses like The Exchange Pub + Kitchen through events like the Pre-Sale on the Patio.

Tickets for the Keg Liquors Fest of Ale will go on sale to the public online, starting April 12th for $45 + fees. and at both Keg Liquors locations for $40.

ON THE AVENUES: Necessity was the mother of NARBA, a food and drink invention in need of re-animation.

ON THE AVENUES: Necessity was the mother of NARBA, a food and drink invention in need of re-animation.

A weekly column by Roger A. Baylor.

I'm a big fan of teachable moments.

A teachable moment is an unplanned opportunity that arises in the classroom where a teacher has an ideal chance to offer insight to his or her students. 

Three years ago, when the downtown New Albany food and dining scene seemed poised for something approximating critical mass (which we may or may not have reached since), a few restaurant owners and operators got together to form the rudiments of an organization. We decided to call it the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association, or NARBA.

A core group has been working toward getting this idea up and running, and we've made enough progress on legalities to begin convening the wider food service and drinks community to discuss the way forward.

The working definition for membership is as follows (from the by-laws):

Article III
MEMBERSHIP
§1 NARBA membership shall be limited to businesses operating within the city limits of New Albany, Indiana, as defined by these bylaws.

§2 A business is eligible for NARBA membership if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The business is licensed and in possession of all permits required by local, state and Federal government; (b) The business meets the standard of definition of “independent” as defined by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): (I) Private, worker, community or cooperative ownership. (II) At least 50% locally-owned. (III) Decision-making authority is vested in the local owners and not subject to conditions dictated remotely. (IV) The business has a limited number of outlets, which are limited to a 150 mile radius.

§3 The Board of Directors may authorize formation of ancillary groups of individuals or businesses that support NARBA’s ideals. Participants in such programs may enjoy benefits as the Board deems appropriate, but shall not vote.

§4 A qualified business may seek membership at any time.

The preceding may have been tweaked a bit during the months to follow, but you get the basic idea -- and for reasons I'm about to explain, we never got around to formalizing the non-profit, anyway.

The accompanying press release had more to say about our reasoning at the time.

The idea for the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) has been discussed for a few years by local restaurateurs in downtown New Albany. The food and beverage business has been a vital part of the growth of downtown New Albany’s revitalization, and the need for this organization and for a common voice among its members has become more important.

In 2014, local businesses participating in beverage catering for the Boomtown Ball concert agreed to devote a portion of the proceeds to fund the non-profit’s startup, thus The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association was formed as a corporation with the State of Indiana in early 2015. We now are pursuing federal government approval as a 501(c)6, business/professional league.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent restaurant, bar and on-premise food and drink industry in New Albany, Indiana. NARBA serves as the unified voice of its members on government and public relations issues. It also provides programs that offer educational and operational benefits for members. NARBA represents New Albany’s best known and most vibrant local independent business segment, and is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of New Albany as an urban community.

NARBA will also organize and hosts annual fundraising events in order to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members.

Ultimately, the goal of the association is to educate, brand and organize its members to best inform residents and visitors about the local food and dining scene in New Albany.

There will be an informational meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Bank Street Brewhouse. Interested businesses are invited to attend a brief meeting to learn more about the association and how the membership is awarded.

This announcement was followed by the introduction of a social media feed, which continues to share news items on a semi-regular basis (read: whenever I remember to do it).

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) now has a public page at Facebook.

New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association ... https://www.facebook.com/DineNewAlbany

The Facebook page is public, and for anyone and everyone to see what we're doing. Please "like" it, and share with friends.

Shortly thereafter, in May of 2015, there arose a situation that inadvertently made an eloquent case for the existence of just this sort of professional trade group. Instead of engaging local food and drink businesses to vend at the second "annual" Boomtown Ball festival (in 2018, apparently moribund), the city chose instead to allow outside "partners" to control concessions and profits.

On Sunday, the second Boomtown Ball takes place in downtown New Albany. Last year for the inaugural, and at the city's behest, a small group of local food and drink purveyors put together the vending plan for alcoholic beverages. The intent was to devote a portion of the take to setting up the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association ... and we've followed through with it.

NARBA is on Facebook, and still working through various legal details. If all goes as planned, there may be an event coming later in the year. It's fiendishly difficult getting insanely busy food and drink peeps together, but gradually, we're making progress.

Unfortunately, for reasons that never have been clearly explained to NARBA, the libations segment of this year's Boomtown was chartered without the association's participation. 

It must be noted that as a non-profit, then or now, NARBA would not be involved with questions of Democrats versus Republicans. Rather, the association would advocate for the collective interests of its members, irrespective.

Two Biers on Parade events were staged in 2015 and 2016 under the NARBA banner, held concurrently with the annual Harvest Homecoming Parade. These admittedly were a mixed bag, but in my view, they remain quite useful in pointing the way toward possible parameters of cooperation between entities like NARBA and Harvest Homecoming.

I'm the first to concede that by late 2016, the trail began getting cold and the NARBA effort stalled. It comes down to the fact that when entrepreneurs are thinking expansively in a dynamic and emerging market, they have little time for consolidation in a collective sense. With stability and maturity come changing focus, as well as slivers of time suitable for organizing.

Speaking personally, I surely had the time; my involvement with NABC had come to an end, and at various points I mulled a full bore organizational campaign, as designed to institute procedures, recruit member businesses and push NARBA forward.

This didn't happen, primarily because while I'm perfectly capable of functioning discretely as a team player in a pinch, the outspokenness of my daily political profile is such that it didn't seem proper for me to take the lead.

Long-term indie business ownership allowed me to embrace the "you're only hurting yourself" mantra, although my former business partners might disagree -- but circumstances seemed to dictate circumspection when others are involved, and they still do. So it goes.

Obviously, I wouldn't be writing about this topic today if I didn't think NARBA still mattered. In fact, in my view it matters now more than ever before.

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I've made this argument numerous times, so it you already know it by heart, you're excused to visit the beer fridge.

Whether Boomtown Ball or Taco Walk, it is my core belief that in a remotely ideal world (one we have not yet attained), events and activities predicated on the involvement of restaurants and bars should be either the domain of a functioning restaurant association, or at the very least, pursued with explicit NARBA involvement in the planning process.

On-premise establishments are approached constantly with similar ideas. Many are good, and others not so much. Invariably, these events are one-offs, constructed to maximize the future of the event itself and the share taken by the sponsor. I learned this the hard, gradual way over seven years as a director on the board of the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

Inevitably, the events are billed as "special," which sometimes can result in too much time spent piecemeal on preparation for outcomes that don't reinforce the eatery's day-to-day regimen -- as with the notion of a pizzeria making tacos only one day a year.

Matters become even murkier when entities like Develop New Albany are involved, because owners and managers generally are hesitant to refuse participation for fear that it will offend the city, which is perceived to be the force behind the idea, seeing as the city controls DNA, and DNA the event.

Far better that these fests and events originate conceptually within a restaurant association as a consortium of those who know best what's right for their businesses; this doesn't rule out cooperation, but merely sets boundaries.

This same notion also applies to independent local retail and service businesses in general, apart from food and drink. Just now, this collective-driven approach is difficult because the framework barely exists.

It should, and someday I hope it will.

My personal opinion is unchanged: the food and drink scene downtown is too fragile for internal or external divisions. Individuals must market their own joints; the collective simply must unify to market downtown as a whole, as a destination for both residents and outsiders.

Personally, I've allowed the idea of NARBA-like combined action to dangle on the vine these past couple of years because I was self-exiled from the day-to-day, and because of my aforementioned reticence.

Now that I'm getting back into it with a non-ownership "beer statesman" role at Pints & Union, I'd dearly like to help jump-start the idea of a professional trade group for restaurants and bars, whether or not it involves me on a recurring basis. It's bigger than any single one of us.

If there is a central truth embracing our collective interest in food and drink businesses as a whole, it is to do whatever is necessary to bring people to New Albany. A close second is for indies to understand the threat posed by the monopolistic tendencies of chain-think. There are numerous others.

Let's get this discussion started again, shall we?

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Recent columns:

March 1: ON THE AVENUES: Scoreboard daze of old.

February 22: ON THE AVENUES REWOUND: Money is the ultimate bully (2015).

February 15: ON THE AVENUES REWOUND: No more fear, Jeff (2015).

February 8: ON THE AVENUES: Golden oldie classic comfort beers at an old school pub? Sounds like Pints & Union to me.

THE BEER BEAT: The Second Annual Harvest Craft Beer Hop takes place on Friday, October 13.

Harvest Homecoming's annual occupation of downtown New Albany is almost here, and in 2017, "booth days" take place from October 12 - 15 (Thursday through Sunday). Behind the booths are the storefronts where our independent local businesses operate throughout the year.

Last year restaurateur Ian Hall and his crew at The Exchange pub + kitchen organized the first Harvest Craft Beer Hop. This year it's bigger and better, featuring a stellar lineup of downtown New Albany's food and drink establishments ... 13 in all.

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The Second Annual Harvest Craft Beer Hop is here!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Visit at least 5 of the participating craft beer bars on your passport. Have a beer, get a signature! Bring your passport back to The Exchange at 9 p.m. with 5 signatures and be entered in a drawing for cool prizes.

Prizes include t-shirts and gift cards from all participants, plus a grand prize offered by BRAND Hospitality group including a $50 gift card to The Exchange and a $100 gift card to Brooklyn and the Butcher! And all you have to do is DRINK BEER!

Passports will be available at The Exchange Pub + Kitchen and Brooklyn and the Butcher this Wednesday @ 3 p.m. You can also print your own!

The Harvest Craft Beer Hop was designed to showcase local bars and restaurants who focus on promoting craft beer. We thank all returning restaurants from last year and graciously acknowledge newcomers like Hull & High Water, Dragon King's Daughter, and Match: Cigar Bar.

FB event page: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/224123361455993/


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For officially sanctioned activities, go here: 2017 Harvest Homecoming Festival Guide.

Meat Loaf Is the Answer, Part 3: A brief postscript to yesterday's Taco, Broccoli and Lutefisk Walk reference.

Meat Loaf Is the Answer, Part 1: Local food culture presupposes local culture. Popeyes, anyone?

Meat Loaf Is the Answer, Part 2: Let's come together over meat loaf.

The straight dope on the Taco Walk.

DNA's Durian Fruit Taco Walk started me thinking about meatloaf (meat loaf).

Develop New Albany's Broccoli Walk is August 12. What? Oops, sorry -- it's a Taco Walk.

I'm not an ogre, and I'm not hiking my leg and Dugginsizing all over a good idea from a well-intentioned individual. Rather, I regard it as a teaching moment, whether or not I have any students in attendance.

A Taco Walk or similar activities should be the domain of a functioning restaurant association, which currently (and unfortunately) we possess only as a conceptual outline. Some day, I hope this comes together.

Eateries constantly are approached with such ideas as a Taco Walk, many of them good and others not so much.

Invariably, these events are one-offs, constructed to maximize the future of the event itself and the share taken by the sponsor. Just as inevitably, the events are "special," not reinforcing of the day-to-day, as with the notion of a pizzeria making tacos only one day a year, only for the Taco Walk, which isn't necessarily a productive use of time or effort because it doesn't represent what it does on a daily basis.

In the case of one-off events like the Taco Walk, owners and managers are hesitant to refuse participation for fear that it will offend the city, which is perceived to be the force behind the idea, seeing as the city sponsors DNA, and DNA sponsors the event itself. That's why it can seem like a shakedown, even when it isn't.

Far better that these events come from within a restaurant association as a consortium of those who know best what's best for their businesses. Right now, this couldn't originate where it should, because the framework barely exists. As I said, maybe some day this will change. Note also that the same idea applies to independent local businesses in general, apart from food and drink.

Furthermore, speaking personally, it comes back to how one wishes to direct his or her money.

I'd say the vast majority of expenditures Diana and I make on food and drink goes to eateries and watering holes in downtown NA, precisely the ones participating in the Taco Walk.

Concurrent to this, there is DNA, now positioning itself as yet another captive arm of City Hall's diversionary propaganda and events-planning efforts, while neglecting certain key aspects of its mission as a Main Street organization, presumably because these are matters that Deaf Gahan likes to keep in his own in-box for maximum political self-aggrandizement.

Finally, there is the fact that yes, I served my terms inside the DNA organization (just shy of three years, if memory serves), and have subsequently immersed myself in the wider issues that pertain to the success of the city's food and drink community -- streets, sidewalks, subsidies, policies and the like. That's something DNA itself might try doing -- as a change of pace.

Restaurants and bars cannot exist in a vacuum. Various governmental decisions with ramifications on the conduct of commerce every single day matter tremendously -- and these are the same decisions DNA traditionally has avoided any involvement in reaching, except when they directly impact DNA itself (see market, farmers); only then does DNA leap into the fray.

Put all this together, and it should become clear that while I'm perfectly willing to spend my money by handing it directly to locally-owned businesses, I'm unwilling to do it when DNA acts as the intermediary.

Instead, I'll hand it directly to Chef Israel next Saturday night.

On the other hand, when (if) DNA undertakes useful activities that address the wider issues, I'm willing to support them. As it stands, DNA is serving as a toady for a mayor-for-life's crass daily re-election campaign, and I have no interest in contributing to this.

But I have an open mind, and await persuasion. There are numerous others, but here are three relevant questions for DNA:

1. How much is municipal government contributing to DNA's operation each budget cycle? I believe the sum used to be around $5,000 per year. Now that DNA has a part-time staff person, we can surmise that the sum is greater. Is it?

2. Since it remains the case that any time an organization like DNA is funded by the city, from a mere thin dime up to thousands of dollars, it is the right of any citizen to know where his or her tax monies are going, how much of the proceeds of the Taco Walk remain with DNA after eateries are reimbursed, and what will DNA be doing with the proceeds?

3. Ranging a bit from meat loaf (why?), is DNA playing an active role in the city's implied (though unrevealed "Make parking Great Again" plan for downtown? I've heard city officials make hints at merchant meetings, and am wondering if this is something occurring with the active participation of DNA, seeing as this would actually be a component of the organization's Main Street mission.

I won't be holding my breath waiting for answers, but make no mistake: DNA should be providing them.

Indie food & drink behind the booths: Harvest Beer Hop on Friday, a nice walk courtesy of The Exchange.

Harvest Homecoming's annual occupation of downtown New Albany is almost here, and in 2016, "booth days" take place from October 6 - 9 (Thursday through Sunday). We're here to have a look at what's taking place behind the booths, where our independent local businesses operate throughout the year.

Last week I ran into restaurateur Ian Hall at Quills Coffee and Downtown Networking Central, and he said his crew was diligently working on the "passport" -- and quite a document it is.

The Harvest Beer Hop unites Bank Street Brewhouse, Habana Blues, Brooklyn and The Butcher, Gospel Bird, Big Four Burgers NA, Floyd County Brewing Company and The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, each within easy walking distance of each other, for a Friday pub crawl.

Just remember that you'll need a designated driver, pre-arranged ride or Uber.

7 beers, 7 bars, 1 awesome night in downtown New Albany!

This is a challenge to hop heads and ale drinkers everywhere-- Finish the Harvest Beer Hop!

Pick up a passport at any participating location and let the good times roll. When you drink a beer, get the bartenders signature! While there is a suggested path, there is no official order to complete your hop! You can start anywhere on the list!

Once you've drank at every establishment on the list, bring your completed passport to the Exchange by 9pm to be entered into a raffle for gift cards, swag bags, and other awesome goodies provided by your favorite restaurants.

We'll be out of town on Friday, and I may well have completed this walk previously without knowing there was an official route; next year, I'm in.

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As listings are posted, we'll add and update here.

For officially sanctioned activities, go here: 2016 Harvest Homecoming Festival Guide.

New Albany Craft Beer Week is a celebration of small, independent and traditional in brewing, and the community.

After a bit of fine-tuning, here's a preview with more substance.

New Albany Craft Beer Week: It's a celebration of small, independent and traditional in brewing, and the community.

We're starting small in 2016, and the idea will grow in years to come. The important thing is to get the ball aloft, and not think that event need to be fully formed the first time out.

ON THE AVENUES: Introducing New Albany Craft Beer Week, May 27 – June 4, 2016.

ON THE AVENUES: Introducing New Albany Craft Beer Week, May 27 – June 4, 2016.

A weekly web column by Roger A. Baylor.

Earlier in 2016, it was revealed that the annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale will relocate to New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater. For the past decade, Fest of Ale has been held in Clarksville.

The 2016 date for Keg Liquors Fest of Ale is Saturday, June 4, and the event is sure to attract around 1,500 craft beer devotees, with room for future growth. As in the past, proceeds are to be donated to the Crusade for Children, and if experience is any indication, there will be stellar selection of craft beer samples.

Another riverside festival dominated local headlines earlier this week, as the city of Jeffersonville announced it would be hosting Abbey Road on the River (an important Beatles-themed music festival) in 2017. Next year it will shift to Indiana from its current home on the Belvedere in downtown Louisville.

My guess is that many readers would rank Abbey Road on the River above Keg Liquors Fest of Ale in approximate order of importance. I don’t think so, and although I’m as much of a Beatles fan as anyone, it is my opinion that New Albany comes out ahead with craft beer.

That’s because there’s quite a lot of craft beer in New Albany these days, which in itself is a statement of fact once deemed unlikely, even by me.

Fest of Ale exists because of craft beer’s explosive growth. Ratings regularly confirm Keg Liquors as a major regional retail player when it comes to craft beer. Craft beer market penetration in Indiana is in the top twenty, nationwide, and there are 120 operational Hoosier breweries – three of them in New Albany.

Taken together, these factors combine to create considerable potential synergy for New Albany. Especially downtown, we’re already is a craft beer hotbed, far more so than Jeffersonville.

Fest of Ale’s presence in New Albany provides the reinforcement of an exclamation mark for what has become a formidable daily craft beer presence.

Just look at a map of downtown New Albany. Draw a line from Floyd County Brewing to Dragon King’s Daughter, then from DKD to Gospel Bird, and finally from Gospel Bird back to FCBC. There are somewhere between 75 and 100 draft spouts inside this triangle – to be sure, not all pouring craft beers, but perhaps as many as 80% are.

That’s big. If you were here ten years ago, you understand how big -- and I’m purposefully excluding the remainder of the city: NABC Pizzeria & Public House, Donum Dei Brewery, Bridge Liquors, Sunset Spirits … the list is large, indeed.

As to why this matters – why the existence of small, independently owned breweries constitutes hopeful and helpful tends – consider these words from an instructive essay in All About Beer magazine.

Breweries aren’t like the average industrial plant. They are people magnets, bringing folks in who are curious to try a pint of locally made IPA. In fairly short order, breweries can create little pockets of prosperity in cities that can (and often do) radiate out into the neighborhood. Pretty soon, other businesses see the bustle and consider moving in, too. It doesn’t hurt that breweries often find run-down parts of towns that have great buildings. Once a brewery moves in and refurbishes an old building, it reveals the innate promise of adjacent buildings to prospective renters.

In New Albany, we can extend this analogy to any number of eateries and bars that have opened during the past decade. They cannot achieve economic development miracles all by themselves, but when community pillars are unable to muster more compelling strategies, food and drink mark a good place to start.

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The advent of Keg Liquors Fest of Ale in New Albany provides an intriguing opportunity to expand our daily municipal celebration of craft beer by incorporating a powerful promotional tool.

It’s called New Albany Craft Beer Week.

Provisional graphic. Mr. Thrasher, we need you.

Many such weeks are honored across America. They vary in size and scope, and range across districts, cities and states, but conceptually, there is relative uniformity.

The idea is to educate and disseminate craft beer consciousness, with an ulterior motive of letting consumers know more about the establishments and people who make it all possible.

In 2016, the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) already is planning a New Albany Restaurant & Bar Week to bridge the days between Indie Fest (Saturday, September 24) with the Harvest Homecoming Parade and NARBA’s pop-up food and beer garden (Biers on Parade) at the Farmers Market (Saturday, October 1).

New Albany Restaurant & Bar Week in autumn is intended to emphasize food, and now we have a natural linkage in springtime to do the same for craft beer, hence New Albany Craft Beer Week.

At some point down the road, perhaps Gary can organize a wine fest in summer, or Matt something to do with cider in winter. The pairing possibilities are endless.

Though as yet unconfirmed, the city of New Albany’s third annual Boomtown Ball should fall on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, which is May 29. As noted, Keg Liquors Fest of Ale will be on June 4. Consequently, we’ll aim for a New Albany Craft Beer Week kickoff on Friday, May 27.

From May 27 through June 4, there will be numerous opportunities for restaurants, breweries, bars and retailers to build events and promotions around craft beer -- tastings, special releases and beer dinners, perhaps involving wholesale and brewer representatives, who’ll be in town for Fest of Ale, anyway.

Obviously, both Boomtown Ball and Keg Liquors Fest of Ale are stand-alone entities, each with its own playbook for participation. I’m speaking here of weaving complementary craft beer showcases in and around these bigger ticket draws.

This entire idea has risen spontaneously, and NARBA doesn’t have a comprehensive plan for it. However, several of us have been involved with similar undertakings in the past, as I was with Louisville Craft Beer Week’s launch in 2010.

NARBA’s basic task for New Albany Craft Beer Week will be to collect information, direct traffic, coordinate and do the best we can to spread the word. In the coming days, we’ll get to work designing a poster (I’m looking at you, Dave Thrasher) and some rudimentary semblance of a web site or Facebook page.

Owners and operators: Merely plan your event to interest the clientele you already have. This needn’t be nuclear physics. If Bell’s is your big seller, mention New Albany Craft Beer Week to your Bell’s sales rep, and ask for suggestions. They’re eager to serve you.

Take them up on it.

A tremendous opportunity awaits. We can expand New Albany’s footprint on the metropolitan beer map, spread the word about our incredible local food and drink community, and have some fun.

Your ideas are critical, so let me have ‘em.

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March 17: ON THE AVENUES: Erin Go Blagh -- a timeless classic for a green-hued holiday.

March 10: ON THE AVENUES: A funny thing happened on the way to a city council nightcap.

March 3: ON THE AVENUES: Since 1960, outside looking in.

February 29: ON THE AVENUES REPRISE: Die hard the Hunter, or the political "impossibility" of rental property registration in New Albany (2015).

ON THE AVENUES: There’s an indie twist to this curmudgeon’s annual Harvest Homecoming column.

ON THE AVENUES: There’s an indie twist to this curmudgeon’s annual Harvest Homecoming column.

A weekly web column by Roger A. Baylor.

You may have noticed that in 2015, I’ve consciously soft-pedaled blog references to Harvest Homecoming.

In completely unrelated news, there is an amazing concept called “pragmatism.” It has taken me 55 years to be introduced to it, and I thought I’d give it a whirl. Being pragmatic actually has little to do with running for mayor. It’s about reformatting for the future, and getting something important accomplished.

Those detailed annual critiques of Harvest Homecoming, as regularly offered here since 2005, remain far more applicable than not. They’re objective, factual and easily searchable. You are invited to indulge, read and learn.

Apart from impeccable reasoning of the sort I’ve offered in this space previously, I have three primary reasons for taking a break in 2015.

First, there is escalating personal exhaustion.

Numerous metaphorical 800-lb. gorillas roam the mean streets of New Albany, and without occasional exercises in triage, energy conservation and gin, wrestling with them all at once can be quite tiring. It’s better to pick selected battles and topple the behemoths each in turn – or, failing that, drink more gin.

Second, I’m experiencing mounting personal changes, many of them delightful.

My decision to uncouple from NABC has been liberating in several ways. Among them is a boomerang of sorts with regard to my terms of engagement with Harvest Homecoming.

The advent of downtown New Albany’s first wave of indies (i.e. Bistro New Albany, circa 2006), and then later Bank Street Brewhouse (2009), brought me into annual downtown contact with Harvest Homecoming for the first time in decades. BSB’s concurrent Fringe Fest was and is a direct response to the myriad challenges of happy harvesting for local independent businesses.

Dependent on my future job status, perhaps now I’ll be free to revert to that halcyon pre-2006 default condition of avoiding upcloseandpersonal contact with Harvest Homecoming, especially as it is manifested in its enduringly invasive “booth days.”

Frankly, it’s never been my kind of event, and there’s not much of substance in it for folks like me. So be it, and it takes all sorts to fill a planet.

As such, I envision a future family custom of departing for vacation on the Monday following the parade, because parade day has taken on a renewed significance for me, which brings us to Reason Number Three.

There’s a new tradition called Biers on Parade.

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This year the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association “popped up” a beer garden at the Farmers Market, intended to coincide with the parade. The weather didn’t cooperate, but we got it done with the active help of the New Albany Farmers Market and Harvest Homecoming. Even the captive Board of Public Works and Safety gave prompt and courteous approval.

See, various entities actually can row in the same direction. Kudos to them all.

We’re eager to build on this year’s Biers on Parade experiment as the capstone to an entirely different and yet complementary concept for the week preceding Harvest Homecoming’s downtown takeover.

This is the cause of heightened economic localism, and a week-long spotlight placed directly on local independent businesses.

Let it be known that enhanced localism should be the basis for the city of New Albany’s overall economic development strategy, and if I’m elected mayor, it will be. The American Independent Business Alliance offers one reason why.

“Multiple studies show locally-owned independent restaurants return twice as much per dollar of revenue to our local economy than chain restaurants. And independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales than chain competitors.”

As we continue working toward this goal, pragmatic adjustments to the fall calendar are in order. Harvest Homecoming’s parade always takes place on the first Saturday in October. Henceforth, we’re hoping that the last Sunday in September provides a handy annual localism kickoff with Indie Fest, followed by New Albany Restaurant & Bar Week, concluding with Biers on Parade.

Taken together, it’s a ready-made Indie Week to bookend Harvest Homecoming. It extends festive times over two full weeks, not just one. It provides the opportunity to trumpet the merits of “we’re here all year” alongside those of “come to Harvest Homecoming once a year.” It can be adapted to all downtown stakeholders, not just food and drink businesses.

It restores balance, and takes a necessary step toward democratizing downtown.

What it cannot do is completely relieve the stress points created by Harvest Homecoming’s “booth days” presence in an evolving, working, beating heart of a city. In years to come, dozens of people will be living upstairs in previously vacant buildings. Festive noise and clutter are one thing, and access to living space something very different. Something’s got to give.

However, I’ve become convinced that a younger generation of Harvest Homecoming movers and doers understands the need for evolution. We worked together to stage Biers on Parade. This year’s official Harvest Homecoming program contains a centerfold map of downtown, highlighting local independent businesses. It isn’t perfect, but reformers need encouragement.

Better communication helps. If I’m elected mayor, transparency is a guarantee, and we’ll move along the process. If not, irrespective of my new life, I intend to remain involved with independent local business activities preceding Harvest Homecoming.

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A final word about my parade non-participation in 2015.

This year, I couldn’t bend the parade committee to the notion of common sense, which to me implies an acceptance of walking as the simplest, most basic form of human transportation.

There was a surreal, 1960s-era quality to the conversation (paraphrasing): “You’re the candidate of walkability, and walkability is the future of our downtown? That’s nice, but don’t you want a shiny car for that? After all, it’s Hot Rod Harvest.”

No thanks. I’d just like to walk the parade.

Yes, bureaucracies usually evolve accordingly. Rule books cease being living documents, and become immutable commandments for facilitating control. But if there is any single thing I’ve learned in the craft beer business, it’s that creativity freshens stale orthodoxy – and creativity is best inspired by letting loose, as opposed to tightening up.

I believe the parade is redeemable, and should be multi-modal – just like the streets it uses each year.

We’ll get to THAT, too.

If you venture into the weekend's Harvest Homecoming scrum, remember the buildings behind the booths. The businesses inside them -- and the people living above them -- are here all year.

---

Recent columns:

October 1: ON THE AVENUES: No more fear, Jeff.

September 24: ON THE AVENUES: Almost two years later, Mr. Gahan has yet to plug in this clock, and so it's time for him to clock out.

September 17: ON THE AVENUES: Dear Neighbor: If you’re tired of the same old story, turn some pages.

September 10: ON THE AVENUES: Lanesville Heritage Weekend comes around again.

September 3: ON THE AVENUES: When even Mitt Romney can run to the left of New Albany’s Democrats, it's a very big problem.

August 27: ON THE AVENUES: Whips, chains and economic development (2010).

August 20: ON THE AVENUES: In the groove.

Can anyone volunteer a few hours to cover at the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association booth at Harvest Homecoming?

(Sorry about the faulty header -- I intended it as draft, not for publication)

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association has all shifts covered in its Harvest Homecoming booth save for one: Saturday morning from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (noon).

The booth is informational only -- just spreading the word about NARBA. If you're connected with the NA food and drink scene and would be able to volunteer to cover these hours, please let me know. 

Thanks!

Biers on Parade at the Farmers Market tomorrow, parade day, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Biers on Parade is a go tomorrow. If you're downtown for the Harvest Homecoming parade, stop by and visit. It's a "pop-up" beer garden format and entirely casual.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is partnering with New Albany’s Farmers Market and Harvest Homecoming to stage Biers on Parade, a family-friendly food and drink showcase at the newly remodeled Farmers Market pavilion at the corner of Market and Bank on Saturday, October 3.

Biers on Parade coincides with the Harvest Homecoming Parade through downtown New Albany, and also will conclude New Albany Independent Restaurant Week.

NARBA member businesses will be selling food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks from 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. on October 3. The Farmers Market will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. earlier that day.

Biers on Parade will offer beers from two out of three of our city’s breweries: New Albanian Brewing Company and Donum Dei Brewery. Having only recently opened for business, Floyd County Brewing Company isn't yet equipped for kegging, so it will be unable to send beer this year.

There’ll also be food prepared by Feast BBQ, The Exchange and Taco Steve, and wine from River City Winery.

Learn about Indie Fest 2015, coming on Sunday, September 27.

Indie Fest returns on Sunday, September 27. As noted below, Indie Fest is the kickoff event for the first New Albany Independent Restaurant Week, which concludes on Saturday, October 3, with Biers on Parade -- also Harvest Homecoming Parade Day.

Here's the link to the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association's press release. 

The point is this: If Harvest Homecoming is to be the community's focus from parade day forward, then we're trying to make New Albany's independent local business segment the focus for a week on the other side of Harvest Homecoming, beginning with Indie Fest on Sept. 27.

Below is what you need to know about sponsorships for Indie Fest. In my ideal world, Indie Fest revitalizes New Albany First, which then would include the New Albany Restaurant and Bar Association as a parallel arm. Of course, what must happen before any of this is an expansion of consciousness, and a willingness to work together toward common goals. Combined, locally-owned independent businesses possess potential clout far beyond what can be wielded individually.

We must unite to achieve it.

---

Dear Business Owner,

You have poured your blood, sweat, and tears into making your business successful. You are an integral part of the movement that is making New Albany a destination and a thriving hub of commerce.

As a business owner you know how important it is to provide the community with attractions that pull people in from around the region to showcase the diversity New Albany has to offer. We are providing you the opportunity to be an essential part of a special celebration of all things local and independent. On Sunday, September 27, 2015 New Albany First will be hosting the Fourth Annual Indie Fest. This event will be held at the newly refurbished Underground Station in the 100 block of Bank Street in downtown New Albany.

Indie Fest is a wonderful display of the rich heritage of the arts in New Albany, and will showcase booths for merchants, artists, restaurants, and craftspeople. As in years past, our event will feature music from local musicians spanning all genres, playing throughout the day. Indie Fest is by no means just for adults, there has always, and will continue to be, an extensive kids area that includes a magician, a local musician with instruments for the kids to play, arts and crafts, and other kid friendly activities. This is truly a family event.

Indie Fest is New Albany’s end cap to an exciting summer music series. We are also excited to be part of the Grand Opening celebration for the Underground Station, and the kick-off event for NARBA’s independent restaurant and bar week.

A successful event like this would not happen without the help of our sponsors. We would love to showcase you and your business at Indie Fest. There are multiple sponsorship levels available to meet all budgets and all are absolutely vital to making this event possible.

Please join us as we celebrate New Albany. Help us make Indie Fest 2015 epic!


Sincerely,

Marcey Wisman-Bennett
Chairperson, New Albany Indie Fest, LLC

---

Sponsorship Possibilities

Presenting Sponsor - $2,000
· First right of refusal for Presenting Sponsor for next two years at the same $2,000 rate
· Logo recognition on all promotional and advertising materials
· Logo and/or company name recognition in all Indie Fest public relations efforts
· Recognition on social networks
· hanging of a 4x6 blow through banner
· Opportunity to address the festival crowd during a specified time slot
· Opportunity to provide up to (4) additional 3’x10’ banners with company logo
· Reserved vendor booth space
· Opportunity to distribute coupons, special offers, sampling, conduct raffles and special promotions specifically for YOUR business. (Does not include signage other than the speaker banners.)
· Invitation to sit on the event planning committee!

Gold Sponsor - $1,000
· Logo recognition on all promotional and advertising materials
· Logo and/or company name recognition in all Indie Fest public relations efforts
· recognition on social networks
· Printing and hanging of a 2x6 banner in key locations near stage
· Verbally thanked on stage during the festival for your participation
· Reserved vendor booth space
· Opportunity to distribute coupons, special offers, sampling, conduct raffles and special promotions specifically for YOUR business. (Does not include signage other than the banner near stage.)

Silver Sponsor - $500
· Logo recognition on all promotional and advertising materials
· Logo and/or company name recognition in an Indie Fest public relations efforts
· Recognition on social networks
· Printing and hanging of a 2x6 banner in key locations near stage
· Verbally thanked on stage during the festival for your participation
· Reserved vendor boot space
· Opportunity to distribute coupons, special offers, sampling, conduct raffles and special promotions specifically for YOUR business. (Does not include signage other than the banner near stage.)

Bronze Sponsor - $150
· Logo recognition on all promotional and advertising materials
· Verbally thanked on stage during the festival for your participation
· Logo recognition on group 2x6 banner in front of stage

Banner Sponsor - $50
· Opportunity to provide up to 1 banner with company logo for staff to hang
· Logo recognition on all promotional and advertising materials

Make checks payable to:

New Albany Indie Fest, LLC.
1739 Houston St.
New Albany, IN 47150

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association presents Biers on Parade, at the Farmers Market on Saturday, October 3.

The press release will be going out this week. Here's an advance preview.

---

NEWS FROM: The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2015

CONTACT:   Roger A. Baylor

Secretary

NARBA

(502) 468-9710

roger@newalbanian.com

On Saturday, October 3, 2015, NARBA Presents:

Biers on Parade

At the New Albany Farmers Market

Local beer, fine food and melodies at the Farmers Market (City Square), at the corner of Market and Bank in downtown New Albany, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is partnering with New Albany’s Farmers Market to stage Biers on Parade, a family-friendly food and drink showcase at the newly remodeled Farmers Market pavilion at the corner of Market and Bank on Saturday, October 3.

Biers on Parade coincides with the Harvest Homecoming Parade through downtown New Albany, and also will conclude New Albany Independent Restaurant Week.

The Farmers Market will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on October 3.

NARBA member businesses will be selling food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks from 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.

Biers on Parade will offer the first-ever opportunity for patrons to choose from a lineup that includes beers brewed by all three of our city’s breweries: New Albanian Brewing Company, Donum Dei Brewery and the newest, Floyd County Brewing Company.

There’ll also be food prepared by Big Four Burgers + Beer, Feast BBQ and The Exchange, and wine from River City Winery. Other participants TBA.

Proceeds benefit NARBA and Harvest Homecoming’s selected charities. NARBA is applying for non-profit status as a 501(c)6 professional trade group:

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent restaurant, bar and on-premise food and drink industry in New Albany, Indiana. NARBA serves as the unified voice of its members on government and public relations issues. It also provides programs that offer educational and operational benefits for members. NARBA represents New Albany’s best known and most vibrant local independent business segment, and is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of New Albany as an urban community.

NARBA’s Biers on Parade is the final event during a week devoted to independent local businesses in New Albany.

New Albany Indie Fest takes place on Sunday, September 27. It’s “a local arts festival including artist booths, amazing music, food, drink, children's area & more! Located at Main & Bank Street in front of the new Underground Station.”

https://www.facebook.com/events/738734362898584/

September 28 – October 3 is the inaugural New Albany Independent Restaurant Week. New Albany is Louisville’s most flavorful borough, and our locally-owned restaurant and bar operators will be running promotions and holding special events throughout the week. Visit NARBA’s page at Facebook for more:

https://www.facebook.com/DineNewAlbany

Harvest Homecoming’s booth days in downtown New Albany begin on Thursday, October 8 and run through Sunday, October 11. For more information:

www.harvesthomecoming.com

Sept. 27: New Albany Indie Fest

Sept. 28 – Oct. 3: New Albany Independent Restaurant Week

Oct. 3: Biers on Parade at New Albany City Square

Oct. 3: Harvest Homecoming Parade

Oct. 8 – Oct. 11: Harvest Homecoming Booth Days

###

The NA weekend calendar is filled with art and a garden party and music.

The 9th annual Art on the Parish Green takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The Culbertson Mansion's 3rd annual Garden Party is on Saturday night, after Art on the Parish Green wraps.

NABC has been delighted to be a part of these events since their inception.

I'm also told there'll be Black & Blue Grass available at tonight's Bicentennial Park concert.

During the month of June, New Albany Restaurant and Bar Association member businesses Fieldhaus, Big Four Burgers + Beer NA and River City Winery are catering adult beverages for the Friday night musical shows.

Thanks to Matt McMahan for pouring NABC Black & Blue Grass at these performances.

At the Garden Party in 2014.

NARBA was excluded from Boomtown, so I'll be there selling good books.

On Sunday, the second Boomtown Ball takes place in downtown New Albany. Last year for the inaugural, and at the city's behest, a small group of local food and drink purveyors put together the vending plan for alcoholic beverages. The intent was to devote a portion of the take to setting up the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association ... and we've followed through with it.

Our Mission Statement
The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent restaurant, bar and on-premise food and drink industry in New Albany, Indiana. NARBA serves as the unified voice of its members on government and public relations issues. It also provides programs that offer educational and operational benefits for members. NARBA represents New Albany’s best known and most vibrant local independent business segment, and is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of New Albany as an urban community.

Charitable Initiatives
NARBA organizes and hosts annual fundraising events in order to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members.

NARBA is on Facebook, and still working through various legal details. If all goes as planned, there may be an event coming later in the year. It's fiendishly difficult getting insanely busy food and drink peeps together, but gradually, we're making progress.

Unfortunately, for reasons that never have been clearly explained to NARBA, the libations segment of this year's Boomtown was chartered without the association's participation. Either the city or Production Simple giveth, and also taketh away.

"Fundamentally" local?

Not Boomtown, which is Fundamentally Louisville, but what can a poor boy do, 'cept sing in a rock 'n' roll band ... and toss the occasional Molotov cocktail during intermission?

So, I've turned instead to Plan B. On Sunday, I've reserved space amid the Flea Off scrum, and will be selling books. That's right. Books. Here's what I'll be selling.

Come and see me.

Matt sez: Big Four Burgers + Beer NA to open next Wednesday, May 13.

Photo credit: Matt McMahan

At Facebook, Matt McMahan reports that Big Four Burgers + Beer's second location in New Albany will open next Wednesday, May 13.

It's another milestone in the year to date for New Albany's dining scene.

Earth Friends Cafe began operations in Bank Street Brewhouse.

Donum Dei Brewery (Grant Line Road) started brewing beer and serving light meals in March.

Israel's Delicias de Mexico Gourmet opened on Market, near Vincennes.

Habana Blues Tapas Restaurant re-opened at its new location on Pearl Street.

Coqui's Cafe is rehabbing the former Little Chef at Market & Bank, and should be open soon.

The Exchange pub + kitchen on Main and West 1st is building a new patio and outdoor dining area.

Floyd County Brewing Company has a brewer (Josh Hill, late of NABC), and may be up and running by June or July, across the street from The Exchange.

And, as noted previously, the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association is now a legal entity, and can be found at Facebook.

What is known about Boomtown, amid the fog.

I'm going to tell you some things I know about the Boomtown festival, coming downtown on Sunday, May 24. If the following reports appear scant and contradictory, it's because I'm restricting sources to those that are open and public (yesterday's merchant meeting) or ones disclosed directly to me (the Flea Off e-mail). 

---

We learned yesterday that the city of New Albany has ceded event planning sovereignty to the Louisville's musical promotions firm Production Simple as it pertains to control of alcoholic beverage vending at this year's second Boomtown show, slated for Sunday, May 24.

David Duggins told yesterday's Merchant Meeting attendees that last year's consortium of local businesses operating under the aegis of an NABC catering permit for the occasion, a group now formally chartered as the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association, would not be repeated this year. No reason was offered for this.

Rather, in 2015 Production Simple will utilize its "preferred" and "professional" beverage caterer from Louisville, the name of which Duggins conceded he could not remember, although he repeated the word "professional" several times, and explained the caterer is "local" by virtue of having a warehouse located in New Albany.

In addition, the Louisville street bazaar known as Flea Off returns to Boomtown in 2015. Yesterday Duggins told the merchants that while local alcoholic alcoholic beverage vendors would be excluded from participation, local restaurants could contact Flea Off and register to serve food, even though a representative of Flea Off recently declaimed responsibility for both food and drink in an e-mail to the author.

Duggins also noted that while Flea Off vendors typically pay for their space, the city of New Albany has negotiated a special deal, and local retail stores and other entities will be allowed free booth space for Boomtown. Finally, the band Houndmouth will not be performing this year, as it did in 2014 at the conclusion of Boomtown, although the Houndmouth "brand" still fully backs Boomtown.

Now, many of you have asked me about beer for Boomtown and other summer events (Bicentennial Park concert series, July 3 fireworks, et al). Remembering that I'm on leave of absence from NABC in order to campaign for mayor, and have referred communications to others within the company, all I can say is that little is known to me or them. In short, the situation is almost completely opaque.

Unofficially, I am told that NABC beer will be sold by the "professional" caterer at Boomtown, but because no one knows who it is, and the level of craft beer commitment it possesses, there is simply no way for me to predict its offerings or how much it cares about craft. This, too, is opaque.

As to what happens when the concert series begins on Friday, June 5, it's also anyone's guess about vendors and beverage choices. As of this writing, no information has been forthcoming for public attribution, and there is no way of knowing whether local vendors will be involved, or Production Simple's "professional" caterer, or an entity yet to be revealed.

Frustrated by the persistent fog?

Trust me. I know how it feels. That's why I'm running for mayor in the first place.

Please "like" the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association's page at Facebook.

It's only been a month since the press release below was published here, but because the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) now has a public page at Facebook, perhaps a repeat is in order.

New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association ... https://www.facebook.com/DineNewAlbany

The Facebook page is public, and for anyone and everyone to see what we're doing. Please "like" it, and share with friends.

To any on-premise restaurant and bar owners, operators and managers reading, note that there'll be another organizational meeting soon. A core group has been working toward getting this idea up and running, and we've made enough progress on legalities to begin convening the wider food service and drinks community to discuss the way forward. The working definition for membership is as follows (from the by laws):

Article III
MEMBERSHIP
§1 NARBA membership shall be limited to businesses operating within the city limits of New Albany, Indiana, as defined by these bylaws.

§2 A business is eligible for NARBA membership if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The business is licensed and in possession of all permits required by local, state and Federal government; (b) The business meets the standard of definition of “independent” as defined by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): (I) Private, worker, community or cooperative ownership. (II) At least 50% locally-owned. (III) Decision-making authority is vested in the local owners and not subject to conditions dictated remotely. (IV) The business has a limited number of outlets, which are limited to a 150 mile radius.

§3 The Board of Directors may authorize formation of ancillary groups of individuals or businesses that support NARBA’s ideals. Participants in such programs may enjoy benefits as the Board deems appropriate, but shall not vote.

§4 A qualified business may seek membership at any time.

The official press release below (edited slightly for timeliness) has more information. Please spread the word to fellow owners and operators, and contact Ian (below) or me for further information.

---

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ian Hall
Tel.: 502.338.2960
Email: ian@exchangeforfood.com

New Albany, IN (March 13, 2015) New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association is formed.

The idea for the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) has been discussed for a few years by locally owned restaurateurs in downtown New Albany. The food and beverage business has been a vital part of the growth of downtown New Albany’s revitalization, and the need for this organization and for a common voice among its members has become more important.

In 2014, local businesses participating in beverage catering for the Boomtown Ball concert agreed to devote a portion of the proceeds to fund the non-profit’s startup, thus The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association was formed as a corporation with the State of Indiana in early 2015. We now are pursuing federal government approval as a 501(c)6, business/professional league.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent restaurant, bar and on-premise food and drink industry in New Albany, Indiana. NARBA serves as the unified voice of its members on government and public relations issues. It also provides programs that offer educational and operational benefits for members. NARBA represents New Albany’s best known and most vibrant local independent business segment, and is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of New Albany as an urban community.

NARBA will also organize and hosts annual fundraising events in order to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members.

Ultimately, the goal of the association is to educate, brand and organize its members to best inform residents and visitors about the local food and dining scene in New Albany.

There was an informational meeting on March 19, and another meeting will be scheduled soon. Interested businesses are invited to contact NARBA to learn more about the association and how the membership is awarded.

For more information on the NARBA please contact Ian Hall via email Ian@exchangeforfood.com.

NA food & drink news: Coqui’s Café, Mom and Pops and Ian Hall's new concept.

Lately there has been news in this space about the move of Habana Blues, the advent of Big Four Burgers + Beer NA, the expansion of Aladdin's Cafe and the return of Israel Landin (Delicias de Mexico). Of course, Earth Friends Cafe now occupies the kitchen at Bank Street Brewhouse.

But there is more.

As though to answer the question asked by NAC just last month ...

STIR THE MEMORIES: Little Chef to receive new life, by Daniel Suddeath (News and Tribune)

NEW ALBANY — A local couple plans to reopen the former Little Chef restaurant under a different name, but still incorporating the “greasy spoon diner feel” that made the café a New Albany staple for more than 50 years.

Elvin and Stephanie Torres are eying a soft opening of Coqui’s Café in mid-May at the former Little Chef, which is located at 147 E. Market St.

Isn't it odd that the composer of N and T headlines chose to provide the name no longer used, rather than the one the building soon will bear? Ah, the mysteries of journalism.

Meanwhile, Mom and Pop's Cone Corner has returned.

Keeping it in the family: Mom & Pops in New Albany has new owners, but familiar faces, by Chris Morris (N and T)

NEW ALBANY — Jill and Casey Hornung decided about six weeks ago to open Mom & Pops Cone Corner after purchasing the property three months ago. While the two have never owned a business, they know plenty about Mom & Pops.

It’s in their blood.

Casey’s uncle, Bob Hornung, owned and operated the business for 29 years and Casey helped with cutting the grass and with some other maintenance issues. Jill worked at the business from seventh grade through high school. And the two just happen to live right next door to Mom & Pops.

C'mon, editor guys: Pop's -- the possessive, and all that.

I'd have enjoyed breaking the story on this one, but vowed silence.

New Albany Exchange owner working on a new concept, by Caitlin Bowling (Louisville Business First)

Ian Hall, owner of The Exchange Pub and Kitchen, is planning a second restaurant — but it won't be another Exchange.

I heard through the grapevine that Hall was looking at opening a steakhouse in the former Habana Blues space at 148 E. Market St. in New Albany. Habana Blues closed in the last couple of weeks. The restaurant is moving two blocks away to 320 Pearl St. but has not reopened.

I gave Hall a call, and he confirmed that he is in the preliminary planning phase for a higher-end steak and seafood restaurant.

“We are working on a project, but nothing has been confirmed yet,” Hall said.

Verily, blog readers generally only tolerate blog articles about sexy dog sweaters and theocratic prayer cabals, and then, when a local food and drink establishment is discussed here -- zoom goes the page views.

Work is ongoing toward the New Albany Restaurant and Bar Association (NARBA). The question now: Will NARBA be represented at Boomtown? Only that guy writing checks to clothe canines knows for sure.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association's first organizational meeting is Thursday, March 19.

Because: Never again "Come to City."

On-premise restaurant and bar owners and operators, try to make it to the first meeting of the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association on Thursday. A core group has been working toward getting this idea up and running, and we've made enough progress on legalities to begin convening the wider food service and drinks community to discuss the way forward.

The working definition for membership is as follows (from the by laws):

Article III
MEMBERSHIP
§1 NARBA membership shall be limited to businesses operating within the city limits of New Albany, Indiana, as defined by these bylaws.

§2 A business is eligible for NARBA membership if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The business is licensed and in possession of all permits required by local, state and Federal government; (b) The business meets the standard of definition of “independent” as defined by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): (I) Private, worker, community or cooperative ownership. (II) At least 50% locally-owned. (III) Decision-making authority is vested in the local owners and not subject to conditions dictated remotely. (IV) The business has a limited number of outlets, which are limited to a 150 mile radius.

§3 The Board of Directors may authorize formation of ancillary groups of individuals or businesses that support NARBA’s ideals. Participants in such programs may enjoy benefits as the Board deems appropriate, but shall not vote.

§4 A qualified business may seek membership at any time.

The press release has more. The meeting:

NARBA ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Bank Street Brewhouse
415 Bank Street
New Albany, IN 47150

Spread the word to fellow owners and operators, and contact Ian (below) or me for further information.

---

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ian Hall
Tel.: 502.338.2960
Email: Ian@exchangeforfood.com

New Albany, IN (March 13, 2015) New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association first organizational meeting.

The idea for the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) has been discussed for a few years by locally owned restaurateurs in downtown New Albany. The food and beverage business has been a vital part of the growth of downtown New Albany’s revitalization, and the need for this organization and for a common voice among its members has become more important.

In 2014, local businesses participating in beverage catering for the Boomtown Ball concert agreed to devote a portion of the proceeds to fund the non-profit’s startup, thus The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association was formed as a corporation with the State of Indiana in early 2015. We now are pursuing federal government approval as a 501(c)6, business/professional league.

The New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association (NARBA) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent restaurant, bar and on-premise food and drink industry in New Albany, Indiana. NARBA serves as the unified voice of its members on government and public relations issues. It also provides programs that offer educational and operational benefits for members. NARBA represents New Albany’s best known and most vibrant local independent business segment, and is dedicated to the advancement and preservation of New Albany as an urban community.

NARBA will also organize and hosts annual fundraising events in order to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members.

Ultimately, the goal of the association is to educate, brand and organize its members to best inform residents and visitors about the local food and dining scene in New Albany.

There will be an informational meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Bank Street Brewhouse. Interested businesses are invited to attend a brief meeting to learn more about the association and how the membership is awarded.

NARBA ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Bank Street Brewhouse
415 Bank Street
New Albany, IN 47150

For more information on the NARBA please contact Ian Hall via email Ian@exchangeforfood.com.