Darren Howes, a co-owner of the Yard seasonal patio, stands at the Third Street location that is being turned into a seasonal patio on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. -- NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A vacant lot in downtown Medicine Hat that hosted a “pop-up park” for the last several years will soon become a pop-up bar.
“The Yard” is technically a “seasonal patio” under Alberta liquor regulations, but draws inspiration from “pop-up” phenomenon that has seen entrepreneurs create gathering spots and less intensive business models around North America.
Co-owner Darren Howes says he and business partner Josh Hopkins were inspired by visit to Philadelphia to create a relaxing spot and patio hangout in Medicine Hat.
“We loved the idea of having it downtown right from the beginning,” said Howes on Tuesday as patio tiles were being laid and fencing installed. He hopes to open later this month to the public.
“It’s becoming a nice walkable area that will bring foot traffic in.”
The formerly vacant lot is also within a hundred feet of three other patios. Microbrewery Travois Aleworks is across the street, though without sidewalk patio so far this year, while popular eatery Local and recently opened Mezz are on adjoining blocks.
Howes said Travois will be one of three local microbreweries that’s product is on-tap at the Yard, which will also will feature a kitchen and washrooms in portable buildings.
In typical conditions seating would be available for about 100 patrons from early spring to mid-fall, at which point the facilities will be closed and winterized until next year.
The lot itself, located at 619 Third Street (between the TD Bank Branch and FWB Architects), was formerly the site of Raber’s Department store and clothing, but has been vacant since the previous building was demolished.
Since then it’s housed a “pop-up” park, complete with some vegetation and seating as part of an urban renewal effort.
Speed limit change
Motorists in the downtown core will see speed limits reduced at the end of the month in order to create a “pedestrian friendly” city centre, according to a release Tuesday from the city’s municipal works department.
Roads in a nine square-block area will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour starting June 29.
The area is bordered by and includes First and Fourth streets in the north and south, and S. Railway Street and Fourth Avenue in the east and west, respectively.
A review of city speed limits has been underway for several years by city transportation planners, and previously recommended the merging of school and playground zones with altered enforcement times, and the increasing of maximum speeds allowed on Parkview Drive and portions of S. Boundary Road.
