Irish eyes may smile on Corktown bar, but city has last word

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Irish eyes may smile on Corktown bar, but city has last word
February 27, 2010
BY ESE ESAN
Freep.com

Years of St. Patrick's Day tradition will likely be on hold this year as one of Detroit's oldest bars, Nancy Whiskey's, struggles to recover from an electrical fire that forced it to close four months ago.

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That's rough news for fans of the Corktown-area watering hole, which is known as a blues bar, neighborhood hangout and prime destination for revelers on and around St. Patrick's Day, when many arrive by the busload to soak in the venue's rowdy charm.

"It was a beautiful, historic bar with great food, fun blues music and super nice owners," said Gwen Joy, 32, of Detroit, an artist and fixture in the city's nightlife scene.

Now, as Nancy Whiskey's owners -- husband and wife Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens -- hope to rebuild, they face zoning troubles. A hearing before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals is set for Tuesday.

Reyes and Stevens said they can't even begin to rebuild the tavern -- which relies on revenue from the jam-packed St. Patrick's Day festivities to sustain it for the year -- until they get permits from the city.
Burned tavern can't rebuild without OK from zoning board

Marketha Gulley-Sharp passed through the well-worn Corktown neighborhood, near the site where Tiger Stadium once stood, just to see if Nancy Whiskey's, one of her favorite haunts, had reopened.

She left disappointed.

Gutted by an Oct. 10 electrical fire, Nancy Whiskey's is one of the city's oldest Irish pubs and a hot spot for St. Patrick's Day revelers. News of the fire "brought tears to my eyes," said Gulley-Sharp, 50, of Detroit. "I'm glad that everybody's OK, and I'm glad that they're going to reopen."

When -- and if -- that will happen is in limbo. But one thing is certain: It won't be in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Reyes and Stevens plan to attend a hearing Tuesday before the Detroit Zoning Board of Appeals that could decide its fate.

Reyes and Stevens hold a liquor license that's more than 100 years old. It exempted the bar from adhering to more recent zoning rules.

But, because the cost of repairs from the fire damage for Nancy Whiskey's exceeds 60% of the assessed value, "they have to go through the approval process again," said Ed Cardenas, spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing's office. They'll need approval to retain a classification that allows it to operate as a bar in a neighborhood that is zoned residential.

Years of St. Patrick's Day tradition will likely be on hold this year as one of Detroit's oldest bars, Nancy Whiskey's, struggles to recover from an electrical fire that forced it to close four months ago.

Quantcast

New scientific discovery fuels muscle building

Do you qualify for a credit card bailout?

Age 55 or older? Pay up to 75% less for your cruise

3 tips to erase the bags under your eyes

Discover Germany on a spiritual journey

Discover Germany's creative art and design

That's rough news for fans of the Corktown-area watering hole, which is known as a blues bar, neighborhood hangout and prime destination for revelers on and around St. Patrick's Day, when many arrive by the busload to soak in the venue's rowdy charm.

"It was a beautiful, historic bar with great food, fun blues music and super nice owners," said Gwen Joy, 32, of Detroit, an artist and fixture in the city's nightlife scene.

Now, as Nancy Whiskey's owners -- husband and wife Eva Reyes and Gerald Stevens -- hope to rebuild, they face zoning troubles. A hearing before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals is set for Tuesday.

Reyes and Stevens said they can't even begin to rebuild the tavern -- which relies on revenue from the jam-packed St. Patrick's Day festivities to sustain it for the year -- until they get permits from the city.
Burned tavern can't rebuild without OK from zoning board

Marketha Gulley-Sharp passed through the well-worn Corktown neighborhood, near the site where Tiger Stadium once stood, just to see if Nancy Whiskey's, one of her favorite haunts, had reopened.

She left disappointed.

Gutted by an Oct. 10 electrical fire, Nancy Whiskey's is one of the city's oldest Irish pubs and a hot spot for St. Patrick's Day revelers. News of the fire "brought tears to my eyes," said Gulley-Sharp, 50, of Detroit. "I'm glad that everybody's OK, and I'm glad that they're going to reopen."

When -- and if -- that will happen is in limbo. But one thing is certain: It won't be in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Reyes and Stevens plan to attend a hearing Tuesday before the Detroit Zoning Board of Appeals that could decide its fate.

Reyes and Stevens hold a liquor license that's more than 100 years old. It exempted the bar from adhering to more recent zoning rules.

But, because the cost of repairs from the fire damage for Nancy Whiskey's exceeds 60% of the assessed value, "they have to go through the approval process again," said Ed Cardenas, spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing's office. They'll need approval to retain a classification that allows it to operate as a bar in a neighborhood that is zoned residential.