Henderson restaurant closure suggests redevelopment will take time

Berwicks, a restaurant and bar that had been touted as a symbol of downtown Hendersons renaissance, has closed after just four months in business.

But a pizzeria has already signed a deal to move into the same space on Water Street in a few months, offering a bar, live music and karaoke.

City officials and business owners hope the Berwicks closure is just a hiccup. But it suggests the road to a more vital downtown wont be an easy one.

Billed as an urban lounge, Berwicks opened in August and closed just before the new year, laying off about 10 employees. A small handwritten Closed sign was taped to the door.

Owner Jimmy Wike said the business was losing money, but he wouldnt say how much. A self-described absentee owner who lives in Mesquite, he said that distance made it hard to oversee Berwicks. More importantly, he said, he didnt get tens of thousands of dollars in expected redevelopment aid from the city.

When word of the closure spread, building owners Tim Brooks and Doug Beavers immediately started getting calls from potential tenants.

That alone, they said, is a good sign for downtown.

Its a great opportunity right now to get in on the ground floor, said Mike Zakis, who will open Sunset Pizzeria in the spot vacated by Berwicks. He hopes to open around April.

Zakis, who already has two locations elsewhere in Henderson, said hes confident he will be able to draw people downtown with good food and entertainment.

There is money and people in this town, Zakis said. Its just that they need a new place to go.

See the original post:
Henderson restaurant closure suggests redevelopment will take time