Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Click on the screen image to see what Zora, a new bar-restaurant under construction at 2120 Ingersoll Ave., will look like in the evening. Below is a rendering of the two-story structure.Watch videoArchitectural rendering by Simonson & Associates

Ed Allen began planning for a new bar and restaurant along Des Moines Ingersoll Avenue last March just as the coronavirus began rapidly spreading across the country.

The pandemic, though, didnt derail Allens plans.

It actually motivated me, if anything, said Allen, a lifelong Des Moines resident and Roosevelt High School graduate. Zora, an establishment that will be located at 2120 Ingersoll Ave., is expected to open in March 2021 at the very beginning stages of people going back out.

"We want to be part of the resurgence.

Work has begun at the site including installation of footings and construction of a new retaining wall. Metal framing is expected to arrive early next week when workers will begin putting up the buildings shell. When completed, the two-story, 6,000-square-foot structure will include a rooftop patio that will be lit in the evening.

Allen said he did numerous studies to determine whether the property, which previously was home to Flanigans bar, was a good location for a bar and restaurant.

We measured rooftops, we did traffic counts, he said. It appeared to be a property that had all the elements for that type of industry to succeed.

Earlier this year, the city of Des Moines began a three-year project to beautify and repair a one-mile stretch of Ingersoll Avenue, between Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and 31st Street. The $17 million project includes the reconstruction of the roadway, new storm sewers, the burying of overhead utilities, widened sidewalks, upgraded bus stops, new pedestrian crossings, elevated bike lanes and landscaping.

Allen said the citys investment in the area prompted him to make an investment as well. If the city hadnt made the streetscape improvements, I probably would not be doing this project, he said.

Zora will have a full-service kitchen with an emphasis on serving American-style foods such hamburgers.

Its not fine dining, Allen said. Were a bar-restaurant, not a restaurant-bar.

During the noon hour during the workweek, Zora is expected to cater to area workers, including those downtown. In the evenings, it will likely draw 20- to 30-year-olds, Allen said.

We expect the after 10 p.m. crowd will mostly be a lot of 20-somethings, he said.

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Construction begins on Zora, new bar-restaurant slated to open next spring on Ingersoll Avenue - Business Record

MUSKEGON, MI -- A ground breaking was recently held for the six-story mixed-use building, The Leonard, after construction was delayed earlier this year.

The Leonard is being constructed at the corner of Western Avenue and Second Street. Construction on the 51,565-square-foot building initially was expected to begin in fall 2018, and was postponed once to May 2019 and again to March 2020.

This is a $9.2 million project, according Cory Leonard, owner of Sweetwater Development, which broke ground Nov. 9.

The project includes retail space, residential apartments and office space.

Dave Alexander, business development manager for Muskegons Downtown Development Authority, was not surprised at the projects timeline.

Ive been watching the evolution of the project over time and buildings this big in towns like Muskegon take this kind of time to come into fruition so that is not surprising, said Alexander.

According to Leonard, who the building is named after, projects like this always takes longer than what people think." Now that construction has begun, he said the building has a November 2021 opening date.

The most recent cause of construction delays are due to funding challenges related to COVID-19. Leonard said Chemical Bank elected to postpone all funding for similar developments. However, Leonard didnt want to wait.

There was never any issue with funding other than COVID hitting and the original bank said that they wanted to postpone closing for six months, he said.

In order to get the project off the ground without further delay, Leonard chose to move forward with funding from Honor Credit Union of Berrien Springs in March.

In December 2019, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $1.5 million incentive to assist Sweetwater Development Partners, LLC in constructing the building. The development will be in a vacant area of the former Muskegon Mall.

According to Alexander, the site one of the final pieces of vacant property left to be developed since the malls 2003 demolition.

The building is set to include one floor of commercial spaces, two floors of offices and three floors dedicated to 18 apartments. The first floor will include a combination of 600-square-foot shops retail shops and restaurants, with the possibility of a credit union, Leonard told MLive.

BigSigns.com, Leonards events graphics company out of Grand Haven, will occupy space on the third floor. Developers are actively searching for a take-out restaurant as well. Leonard said the developers are also taking some of the parking on the east side of the building on Second Street where they will add an outdoor patio.

(It) will really give a nice visual appeal to that corner kind of give it real curb appeal and activity, said Leonard. I think it will add a lot to the downtown area, to the vibe.

According to the developer, the demand is very high for apartments, with over 150 people having expressed interest, however they have not begun the application process. Leonard is hopeful the apartments will be ready for move in before November 2021.

Leonard, who is from Muskegon, has said he plans to also add a second building in the area, with condos instead of apartments. He has the option to develop the rest of the block, between First and Second streets.

A graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School, Leonard operates an events graphics company, BigSigns.com, out of Grand Haven. He previously developed 605 W. Western Ave., the site of Muskegon Radiology.

More on MLive:

Michigan lists 260 new coronavirus outbreaks and 723 ongoing clusters in Nov. 16 report

U.S. 31 ramp, lane closures planned near Muskegon this week

Michigans hunting license system back online after issues emerged before opening day

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Construction finally underway on mixed-use building in downtown Muskegon - MLive.com

The new Yuengling Campus has officially broken ground on the 43-acre property, at 11111 N. 30th near Busch Gardens.COURTESY

In October of last year, Yuengling announced plans to launch its very own elaborate mixed-use campus including ahotel in Tampa. Construction on the 43-acre property, at 11111 N. 30th near Busch Gardens, was scheduled to begin in May 2020, but instead, the project ceremonially broke ground today Monday, Nov. 16.

And according toTampa Bay Business Journal, plans to add a hotel to the property are on hold and a part of the "project's second phase, set to begin construction after the first phase wraps up in early 2022."

Slated to open in early 2022, the Yuengling campus is set to host a state-of-the-art pilot brewing system, a restaurant, private dining, conference rooms, an outdoor recreation center, coffee bar, gift shop, a beer garden, as well as multi-use concert and entertainment pavilion. There will also be a digital interactive history, artifacts, and advertising memorabilia from Yuenglings 191-year history as an American Owned and Family Operated Brewery.

Since purchasing the brewery in Tampa in 1999, we have been proud to be a member of the Greater Tampa Bay community, said Wendy Yuengling, Chief Administrative Officer and 6th generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. in a release. "[..]We consider Florida our second home, and we are excited to invest further in the Tampa community by offering Floridians and tourists an immersive experience into our brands, how our beers are made, and our rich history as Americas Oldest Brewery.

To lead the new Yuengling Tampa campus, Yuengling has tapped seasoned food and beverage veteran, Brent Wertza graduate of the Culinary Institute of American with three decades of experienceas the new Vice President of Hospitality.

I am honored to lead the new Yuengling Tampa Campus, said Wertz in a statement. I look forward to leveraging my 30 years of hospitality experience to build a world-class destination for Americas Oldest Brewery here in Tampa, by bridging the local Tampa culture with the unparalleled history of Yuengling.

Whether you want to book a staycation at the beer-themed hotel, or just want to slide by for a bite, the new Yuengling campus could have something for locals and tourists alike. More details to come as construction continues. No word on whether staff will belong to a worker's union though.

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The forthcoming concept hosts an outdoor space complete with a beer garden.COURTESY

Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please considermaking a one time or monthly donationto help support our staff. Every little bit helps.

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Tampa's new Yuengling-themed hotel is on hold, but construction of the new campus started today - Creative Loafing Tampa

Work on a massive $25 million development at the corner of Third Avenue and Broadway, "The Rune," is drawing to a close for the year.

This week cranes are installing sheet piles at the site to provide temporary support for excavation, according to Ted Thompson, senior project manager for CI Construction in Alexandria thats in charge of the work.

Once that is completed, there wont be much activity until spring, Thompson said.

This building has an extensive amount of elevated, poured-in-place concrete floors that are much more efficient to put in place when the weather is above freezing, he said.

The developer is GoodNeighbor Properties LLC.

This past summer, vacant buildings that last housed Bello Cucina restaurant and Blue Collar Bobs were demolished to make room for the development.

The new five-story complex will consist of commercial and retail space, including a new restaurant Mill Valley Kitchen, which is scheduled to open in 2022. The owners also have a Mill Valley Kitchen in St. Louis Park, a Mill Valley Market in Minneapolis and two Benedicts restaurants in Wayzata and Rochester. According to its website, the restaurant will feature locally sourced meats, produce and seafood.

Some of the menu items listed on the website: shrimp and octopus ceviche, grilled chicken wings, ratatouille, Korean BBQ rice bowl, five-spice pork tenderloin, herb-roasted chicken breast and miso glazed sea bass. The restaurant also serves flatbreads, salads, burgers and other items.

The Rune will also include 72 market-rate apartments, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom units.

Four stories will be above ground on the Broadway side and three stories above ground on the Hawthorne Street side. The first floor, which will be at ground level on Broadway and have underground parking on the Hawthorne side, will be the commercial level.

There will be another underground parking level below this with 153 stalls.

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Work wraps up on The Rune for now - Echo Press

Already a popular neighborhood fixture, Carmines Pizza Kitchen will expand next year into a built-from-scratch, mixed-use park in Henderson, scheduled to become the future headquarters for the Las Vegas Raiderettes.

Reported by CREConfidential, Carmine Ventos namesake restaurant is headed to the under-construction Matter Park, filling 3,266 square feet with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and mural tributes to Ventos East Coast origins.

Current leasing documents suggest the Pizza Kitchen will take over a corner space at the intersection of Raiders Way and the Sunridge Heights Parkway.

Aiming for a summer 2021 launch, the restaurant will import its menu of pizza, sandwiches, pastas, and salads, and add an outdoor seating area connected by a roll up garage door to the main dining room.

The enormous 26-acre business park will host the Las Vegas Raiderettes, offices, manufacturing companies, light industry, and warehouses, plus plenty of unleased spaces available for potential dining tenants, all a short distance from the Las Vegas Raiders training facility.

Still operating in Rhodes Ranch and two Henderson locations, last year Carmines presented paperwork to the City of Henderson to construct a new 4,980-square-foot restaurant at the intersection of Narissa Avenue and Horizon Ridge Parkway. Yet to be built, no further updates on the proposal were publicly revealed.

Carmines Pizza Kitchen Has Big Plans For New Henderson Home [ELV]

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Carmines Pizza Kitchen to join the Raiderettes in west Henderson - Eater Vegas

Alex Gary| Special to the Register Star

MACHESNEY PARK A massive expansion at Pig Minds Brewing Co. is finally complete after six years of twists and turns, and owner Brian Endl still will have to wait several weeks to fully show it off to the public.

The 9,000-square-foot expansion tripled Pig Minds original layout at 4080 Steele Drive.The added space features a wood-fired pizza oven, expanded bar area, 170 additional seats inside, an outdoor patio that seats 150 and a mezzanine on the second floor for private parties. The renovation also includes a 15-barrel exposed brewhouse that triples its brewing capabilities.

We actually started working on this in 2015, but then our property was classified as being in a flood zone, Endl said. It took us 2 years of fighting to get out of the flood zone. We started construction last October. Some of the work was delayed in March and April and we wrapped up construction in September.

Endl said they poured the first beer out of the brewhouse in early November.

Of course, they wrapped up final details just in time for Gov. JBPritzkers order at the end of October banning indoor dining because of the massive increase in new coronavirus cases across the state and country. On Friday, there were a record 187,907 new cases in the U.S., 15,415 of those coming from Illinois.

Its been one thing after another, Endl said. Obviously, we took a big hit in mid-March to the end of May. We actually did pretty well throughout the summer. Even with the restrictions, the months we were partially open, we were beating our sales from 2019.

The expansion will help weather this new storm. Endl said customers have been asking him for years to add pizza to the menu and he read that pizza sales at companies such as Papa Johns have been setting records throughout 2020 because so many other options have gone away.

The additional brewing capacity includes a canning line, which should raise Pig Minds sales in the Chicago market. Until the expansion, Pig Minds had a limited bottling line and mostly sold kegs to Chicago-area bars.

At its peak, Pig Minds has had a staff of as many as 35. After COVID, Endl said hell need to boost that by another 10 to handle the additional customers and brewing demand. But they do have to get through this additional shutdown. The expansion, which was supposed to cost $1.2 million in 2016, ended up costing $2.1 million in 2020. Of the 30 employees he had at the start of the year, they are still trying to scrounge up hours for about 20.

Weve lost a lot of good people because they had to get other jobs, Endl said. Even if we could open up next week, wed have to ease into it. We have to get our staff back acclimated.

Endl said hes well positioned to ride this latest wave out as long as it doesnt last six months. Still, the additional space was necessary. When Endl opened Pig Minds in 2012, it was the areas second microbrew and first fully vegan restaurant. Since, the microbrew competition has continued to grow and more restaurants are adding vegan options.

My wife and I have been vegan since 1992. I know that vegan restaurants and breweries are destinations. Vegans will search for restaurants they can visit in different cities, Endl said.

That was my vision. Initially, the food side struggled because we were vegan. People would ask for at least a limited carnivore menu, Endl added. According to a study by Ipsos Retail Performance, between 2004 and 2019, the number of people in the U.S. who have adopted a fully vegan diet grew from 290,000 people to more than 9.7 million. The last couple of years, on weekends, we were having one- and two-hour waits for tables. Weve had success with the formula and now you see others adding vegan menus.

Alex Gary is a freelance correspondent

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Pig Minds owner hopes good things come to those who wait - Rockford Register Star

Early morning scenes at Cloverdale Farms County Park, a former cranbury farm in Barnegat Township, NJ. Asbury Park Press

BARNEGAT - Jersey Mike's Subs opens today at Barnegat 67, one of the township's newest shopping centers.

"It'sa really great community, with good quality people that we want to be around," said Matt Catania, who, along with partner John Helm ownsand operates28Jersey Mike's locations.

Jersey Mike's is the latest retailer to open at Barnegat 67,a retail and residential complex by New York developerExtell Development Co. located just off the Garden State Parkway's Exit 67A. Taco Bell, now under construction, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2021.

What's Going There: Dollar General, AutoZone among retailers coming to new Barnegat center

Other retailers and restaurantsalready there include Dollar Tree, Dunkin', Planet Fitness, Mamma Rosa and Pan Asia.

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"It was kind of the perfect opportunity, between the community and the brand new center with the Parkway access, kind of a no brainer," Catania said.

Jersey Mike's Subs opens at Barnegat 67 in Barnegat.(Photo: Sarah Griesemer)

What else?:Age-restricted condos, affordable homes, to be built near Barnegat 67

The restaurant's hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant is only serving orders for in-store pick up or third-party delivery. The indoor dining areas at its restaurants are "temporarily closed" to help limit person-to-person contact, Jersey Mike's said.

Barnegat is seeing a burstof new retail construction.

A shopping center, Exit 67 Town Center, is under construction at the corner of Sandpiper Road and West Bay Avenue. Dollar General and AutoZone are on the way there. Domino's and Mattress Warehouse are also listed as tenants, according to marketing materials.

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Jersey Mike's:From tiny Ocean County sub shop to the big leagues

"That area is growing so fast," said Ketan Shah, chief executive officer of Pyramid Service Management LLC, a Taco Bell franchisee."There's a lot of construction and other stuff going on."

Shah said good weather has put construction of his Taco Bell restaurant at Barnegat 67ahead of schedule.

Taco Bell is under construction at Barnegat 67 in Barnegat.(Photo: Sarah Griesemer)

Al fresco dining:Colder temps, outdoor heater codes create new worries for ailing NJ restaurant industry

"With the weather and the amount of work that these guys are putting in, he's ahead of schedule, at least a couple of weeks ahead, so that is wonderful," Shah said.

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There and Press on Your Side columns and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.

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Another week, another dismal statistic: We are in a worse place today than we were back in April. So prepare for a COVID-19 edition of the Hill Buzz.

Yesterday, the Mayor held a status update, where she shared the latest statistics and concerns on the coronavirus in our region. You can see the official statistics by clicking here. The most worrisome of these statistics is the ones boxed in red, where you can see that there is an average of almost 20 new cases of coronavirus per day, and the rate of transmission above 1.0 a rapid spread (visit RTlive for more info).

As a reminder, phase two hinged on the R number being below 1.0 a metric later changed to 1.2, as Allison Hrabar pointed out today on Twitter.

Incidentally, if you havent read Allisons excellent discussion of how the District has, in essence, changed the goal posts of whats acceptable in terms of community transmission, do it (The Drift). Its not an enviable position for the District government to be caught between an economic and a public health crisis, but this also feels less than transparent:

The ideal transmission rate of less than one suddenly became less than 1.2, the cap for hospital occupancy was raised from 80 percent to 90 percent, and the number of people with positive test results that had to be called by contact tracers within a day was lowered from 90 percent to 80 percent.

What has the coronavirus done to us? Well, the luxury rental market has all but stalled (Washington Post) and many people have left the area altogether, to be closer to family or to be away from the dread of being around people, while some have happily moved in (DCist). Washingtonian has more tales of people moving out here and of people moving in here. Maybe the pandemic will force people to reckon with the things that mean the most to them and bring about a new balance to peoples lives.

Unfortunately, it seems the pandemic also brings out the worst in people, as workers from CBG Construction have found out. CBG Construction and their subcontractors appear to have stolen wages from workers at several projects. A class action suit was brought up in August of this year. CBG Constructions portfolio includes properties such as the Flats at Atlas, 360 H Street, 501 H Street NE and Kennedy Row on East Capitol Street. DCist

Another company also being caught betraying the public trust is Capitol Petroleum, owner of three Exxon stations on Capitol Hill among other properties. Attorney General Karl Racine filed a complaint against Capitol Petroleum for price gouging during the pandemic and for unfairly increasing profits on gas distribution, and you can read it here.

In school news, the CARES classrooms are starting this week at several schools around the District. In Ward 6, Brent, J.O. Wilson, Miner, Payne, School-Within-School, and Walker-Jones are the only schools currently open for CARES. Councilmember Elissa Silverman tried to introduce emergency legislation to ensure that schools should only reopen when its safe and with a transparent timeline, but the legislation was not allowed in for discussion during yesterdays legislative agenda.

In crime-related news, some rock-throwing youths meant business when, while they were bullying another youth, they also flashed a knife at a neighbor questioning their behavior. The incident happened in the 900 block of 11th Street NE. Yes, these kids are violent and I cant imagine how scary the situation must be, but it begs the question, how have we failed these kids and their families, that they think senseless violence is the only way to engage with the community? Washington Post

(Self-congratulating for not referencing My Cousin Vinny until now.)

The National Review is still trying to convince whoever will listen that the activists who called for taking down the Emancipation Memorial in Lincoln Park were very, very wrong. Okay then, but one has to wonder how things would have gone if a more all-encompassing Emancipation Memorial design by Harriet Hosmer hadnt been so expensive to produce. Thank you to Fords Theater for the more nuanced history lesson, as it ought to be. Excited to see that they will be producing three anti-racism plays this coming season, to further their mission toward shedding light on, and ending, racial injustices.

In restaurant news, the space formerly known as Emilies is rebranding as Paraiso Taqueria. I chatted briefly with the Paraiso team via Instagram and they tell me that the new concept will be based around childhood memories of a Mexican town fair. The new chef, Geovanny Beltrn, is from the state of Guerrero, in Mexico, and he will be developing a menu that tells their story through the food they grew up with and know from home. They are the true heroes of the restaurant industry. There will be tacos, ceviches and more robust offerings such as lamb shank, as well as a Mexican bakery with conchas, churro doughnuts and tres leches cakes. As a reminder, the new Paraiso is at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Follow them along on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes shots.

Lets end todays buzz on a (bitter)sweet note: Sean Doolittle and his wife, Eireann Dolan, share their Dream Day in DC with The Washington Post. Doolittle is now a free agent and hes relocated to Arizona, but we hope that he and Eireann always calls DC (and, well, the Hill) homeNaturally, our local bookstores starting with Capitol Hill Books get a lot of love in this Dream Day. Right now, a Dream Day for me would be one where people stop getting sick and dying of COVID.

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Hill Buzz | The Hill is Home - The Hillishome

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Animation is growing more popular, allowing voice actors to record their lines at home, if necessary, or in the studio alone. There is little need for person-to-person contact which makes it ideal in the world were currently living in. Paramount is working on another Star Trek animated series that will see Kate Mulgrew reprising her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway, and while that series might be a breath of fresh air compared to Lower Decks, there are so many others that would work today.

With the actors getting older, live action shows might not be a possibility, but as Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis have proven in Lower Decks, their presences, even though it was only their voices, was welcome. And that would certainly be the case for future animated series, especially with actors who probably wont return to our screens as their former characters as some, like Brent Spiner, feel they are simply too old to continue to play that character.

And though Lower Decks isnt proving to be a ratings blockbuster, that doesnt mean that the right series, with the right characters, wouldnt be, especially with familiar characters and voices that fans have missed over the years. Even series with new characters could work if done right. Lets take a look at some of the animated series that could work and would be a breath of fresh air to the franchise.

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Star Trek: 3 animated series that would work better than Lower Decks - Redshirts Always Die

Its only Episode 3 of Below Deck and everyones ready for it to be over. The first charter, of course, not the entire season! Weve suffered through two weeks with these horrendously high-maintenance guests and its time to get them off the boat. So thankfully, although this week picks up right at the end of the fight over James Hough, it all fizzles quicker than Francesca Rubi letting the air out of a balloon. In fact, the only thing not deflating looks to be James chances with Francesca? Because surprisingly, the chief stew doesnt entirely turn down the junior deckhands flirtatious banter. But maybe thats just a sign that this first, terrible charter has made everyone on board crazy.

The next morning, the charter draws to a blessedly quick close. One thats made even quicker by the fact that Captain Lee Rosbach opts to pull anchor and head for the dock early on account of the rain. So after a streamlined breakfast of French toast by Rachel Hargrove and a particularly tight docking, its time for guest departure. Oh, but one more thing! Because of course theres one more thing. Primary guest (from hell) Charley cant help but be a bit condescending in his goodbye, but follows it up with a giant tip $25,000 to be exact. Which is huge, especially considering the crew was literally expecting no tip at all. But does giving a giant tip truly make up for being a terrible scourge on charter crews everywhere? I guess thats just the world of yachting

Meanwhile, theres a shifting wind aboard My Seanna in the form of a personnel change. Izzy Wouters told Captain Lee last week that shed rather be a deckhand than a third stew, and her wish has been granted. Honestly, its a change that works well for everyone. Izzys happier. Francescas relieved to have her off her hands. And Eddie Lucas gains someone more experienced than Shane Coopersmith on his exterior team. Its the definition of a win-win. Immediately, Eddie welcomes Izzy by holding a line handling crash course. And after watching it, I feel like Imeven more qualified to be a deckhand than Sunshine Shane, god love him. The quick training also taught me a few things I didnt know after watching 13 seasons of the Below Deck franchise for the last 7 years. I can rattle off the purpose of a forward spring line, but please dont ask me the difference between a shackle and a shot.

Despite the one-day turnaround, the crew celebrates surviving their first charter with a night out on the town. James is particularly ready to hit the clubs and get wasted, but the mood at the dinner table is decidedly more sedate. Its a huge letdown for the Brit when the most exciting thing that happens to him all night is a debate over astrology with Elizabeth Frankini. In which James reveals he doesnt believe in astrology but is also a Gemini. Because of course he is. By 9:30 p.m., the rest of the crew is ready to head back to the boat, and unanimously vote that the wild night out ends as a vaguely pleasant evening. I know producers cant force them to go party, but it truly was a bit of a snooze-fest. Chalk it up to more air being let out of the proverbial balloon.

The next charter is a surprise in the form of a group of rich, entitled 20-somethings. And theyre ready to get hammered while Daddy pays for the mega-yacht. Maybe James can party with them? No, seriously, were talking like a 22-year-old college quarterback named Max, a surfing entrepreneur named Dax, their girlfriends and an entourage. Including one who might be named Jax? Either way, they could basically be high schoolers, theyre so young. And all they want to do is drink and do Jell-O shots for Bravos cameras. You know they havent reached maturity yet when the primary request on their preference sheet is to have the private yacht chef make nothing but Jell-O shots. Poor Rachel.

The day gets off to a rocky start for the deck team too. Its seems Shane, whom Eddies not-so-lovingly nicknamed Sunshine for the season, doesnt quite understand the meaning of being on time. At 8 a.m., adorable Shane is taking his sweet time. Hes brushing his teeth and intensely reading some sort of map before Eddie has to come find him. In better news, the new third stew arrives in the form of Ashling Laura, whos just arrived in the Caribbean from her native Australia. On first impression, Ashling seems darling. Shes blonde, cheerful and practically radiates Aussie sunshine. Obviously James is immediately smitten and jokes about having to share a room with the new stew. But instead, Izzy makes a protective maneuver on behalf of the newbie and offers to give up her bunk with Elizabeth and room with James instead. Nice try, James!

With the crew finally rounded out, the charter sets sail. And of course, it only takes a couple margaritas for these entitled kids to be stumbling around the boat worse than Eddie. (For real though, will Eddie ever be able to get out of bed this season without falling on his face?) For this charter, Francesca also promotes Elizabeth to the role of second stew, presenting her with the corresponding epaulets on a sort of trial basis. The promotion doesnt seem too promising though. The stew gives Captain Lee a wet shirt ahead of the charter and promptly pawns her ironing responsibility off on Ashling. HmmFrancescas not going to like that.

Almost immediately after anchoring, the weather turns again, and sweet Sunshine points out over the radio that its rainingafter its already raining. Eddie makes a snarky comment over the radio about Shane being quick on the uptake and the junior deckhand bristles at the bosuns sarcasm. Inexplicably, he decides this is a hill to die on, and chooses to confront Eddie face-to-face. Eddies patience has already been running thin with sweet Sunshine, so he doesnt exactly take well to the scolding. Before you can say conservation, the stand-off erupts into boiling tension between the two. Its palpable, and you can almost see the moment Eddies face darkens. Shanes proud of defending himself, but something tells me his days on My Seanna might be numbered.

On the first night, the college crew has requested a sushi dinner. No problem, right? Oh wait, they want it served on the body of a naked model. Because theyre either immature children whove never been told no in their lives, or theyve just seen Sex and the City one too many times. (Wait, theres no such thing as one too many times when it comes to that movie.) Either way, they clearly missed Vicki Gunvalson lecturing a naked sushi model on the value of an education back in Season 10 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. You know, when these charter guests were in middle school.

Eddie and Sunshine are tasked with picking the naked sushi model up on shore. But even a simple task like getting back to the boat turns into a headache. Shane misses the boat with his line, which promptly gets stuck underneath the tender where he cant reach it. Eddie ends up having to somehow use the anchor to retrieve the line and save the day before it causes serious damage. And mind you, all of this is happening in full view of the crew and a very annoyed Captain Lee. Eddie points out that he cant exactly get mad at the hapless deckhand. But that kind of mistake certainly doesnt make the kid look good.

The sushi dinner, meanwhile, goes off without a hitch. Having trained in Japan, Rachel has expertly prepared a huge spread of high-class sushi made of the finest ingredients. All of which is completely lost on the drunk college kids at the table. They have no idea what theyre eating. Theyre more concerned with taking pictures of themselves chowing down over the naked sushi models body. And pairing the meal with more Jell-O shots. If this is the best the rising generation has to offer, all I can say is lord help us all. Now, chef, bring more Jell-O shots!

TELL US WHATS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ASHLING? IS ELIZABETH GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER NEW PROMOTION? ARE THESE TWENTY-SOMETHINGS WORSE THAN THE FIRST BELOW DECK CHARTER GUESTS? WOULD YOU EAT SUSHI OFF A NAKED MODEL?

[Photo Credit: Bravo]

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Below Deck Recap: Invasion Of The Drunk, Rich Twenty-Somethings - Reality Tea