Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - With several new locations to eat and drink already open, and more on the way, some business owners believe Downtown Syracuse could be seeing a revival.
In the wake of longtime favorite Clark's Ale House abrupt closure in Armory Square, the Downtown Committee is excited at the prospect of so many new locales opening in the heart of Syracuse.
Dessert and wine bar Bittersweet Café opened several days ago. Owner Patrizia Barbieri didn't have to go too far for help in starting up her new shop. Her family has owned and operated restaurants in Central New York for more than 20 years.
Barbieri hopes her restaurant's West Fayette Street location will help her attract patrons who attend shows downtown. She also hopes the location will provide a more adult alternative to Armory Square's often rambunctious environment. "I really wanted it to be a relaxed setting," she said. "You know, a lot of places down here attract a younger crowd, they may get rowdy."
Tacolicious opened on South Warren Street on Tuesday and for owner Della Brown, and event that was the culmination of many years of anticipation. "My husband has been dreaming of this for like five years. He kept telling me, 'Please open up,'" Brown said.
A Tiki bar called Kokomo's is opening on Clinton Street in the next few weeks. A specialty sandwich on Montgomery Street has been serving customers for several weeks, a sports bar will open in the location formerly occupied by Ambrosia and a club will take over where Ohm once did business.
Both Barbieri and Tacolicious owner Della Brown see the opening of several new eateries and bars as evidence of what could be a resurgence for downtown Syracuse. The new entrepreneurs believe their new restaurants could be part of a rejuvenated downtown Syracuse. "So many more people will come like people that will just come to see my restaurant and try my food, they're going to go other places as well," Brown said. "The more, the merrier. The more, the merrier."
"I think it's a great thing. I honestly think Syracuse is coming back to life and people are noticing that and they want to bring the city back to life," Barbieri said. "So they have ideas and say, 'Why not? Why not try it?'"
