Here’s a recap of the City of Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals from Thurs. Dec. 9:
Approved: Group Therapy Pub & Playground late-night service
The new concept planned for 19,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space in the Camperdown plaza is one step closer to opening, now that Group Therapy Pub & Playground has received approval for alcohol and entertainment service until 2 a.m.
The special exemption will add yet another late-night spot for downtown residents and visitors.
Group Therapy is a planned indoor entertainment venue that will offer food, a full-service bar, self-serve beer taps, mini-golf, ax throwing, ice curling, table tennis, trivia, karaoke, live music and more, all tucked in the surpassingly expansive spot between Deca Apartments and the AC Hotel by Auro.
Check out our full preview of Group Therapy
“It’s the largest single retail spot in downtown Greenville, as far as we know,” said co-owner Matt Hubbard, who spoke before the Board of Zoning Appeals. “This is the first time a concept like this has been brought together, all activities in one space.”
The concept is set to open sometime in early 2022.
Deferred: New Realm Brewing taking over Old Cigar Warehouse
The proposal to transform the Old Cigar Warehouse on Main Street in downtown’s West End remains on hold for now, as a request for a special exemption to allow for outdoor and indoor entertainment was deferred indefinitely.
The Atlanta-based brewhouse New Realm Brewing announced plans to take over the historic 11,000-square-foot space across from Fluor Field back in October. The prior tenant, High Spirits Hospitality, which used the spot as an event space, will relocate to the newly renovated Judson Mill.
But pushback from area residents overtook discussions at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in November due to concerns over traffic, noise levels and parking. The owner would have to provide a parking plan for at least 75% of the spaces needed.
New Realm Brewing representatives Jeff Ash and Cary Perkins, along with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, agreed to hold neighborhood meetings to address public concerns directly before returning to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
New Realm currently operates restaurants in Atlanta, Savannah, Virginia Beach and Charleston.
Rejected: Late-night food service for Brass Monkey
A proposal to allow for late-night food service after midnight at Brass Monkey was rejected by the Board of Zoning Appeals over concerns of rowdiness from late-night patrons.
Matthew Gourley, who owns the restaurant and bar located at 723 Congaree Rd., argued that extending food service until as late as 5 a.m. would, in fact, solve the problem of intoxicated patrons causing a nuisance to residents.
While alcohol sales are banned after 2 a.m. per state law, extending late-night food service would allow patrons to eat and sober up before leaving, Gourley argued. Moreover, he said the forced closing of the bar at 2 a.m. causes a flood of patrons to leave all at once, which increases the chances for fights or disruptions, as opposed to a more gradual exodus.
The argument was rejected by the board.
