BUYERS OF ERNIE’S RESTAURANT PROPOSE PARKLET IDEA
Downtown Brenham will soon have a new restaurant with outdoor seating.
Tami Redshaw and Edward Smith III have purchased the former “Ernie’s Restaurant” on Baylor Street and plan to open their own restaurant called “96 West”. Redshaw is the original owner of Brenham’s BT Longhorn Saloon, and currently co-owns Ranch Antiques on Commerce Street. Smith operates “The Citadel”, the former Brenham Country Club on Highway 290 East, and "291 Ice House" in Chappell Hill.
Redshaw and Smith are hoping to have downtown Brenham’s first “parklet” in front of their restaurant when it opens in about a month. At Thursday’s City Council meeting, council members received the idea of a parklet favorably after a long period of discussion. A parklet takes the place of three parking spaces in front of a business, which are converted into an attractive seating area for customers or the public. Cost of designing and constructing the parklet is the responsibility of the business owner, and is estimated to be between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. The tables and chairs could then be used by the business during serving hours, and the general public the remainder of the time.
Smith told the council that the idea, which originated in San Francisco, is designed to slow down foot traffic so people can rest a bit before going back into shops they want to visit. As for the impact of losing three parking spaces in front of his business, Smith said that half of the spaces in the public lots on Commerce and Vulcan streets were empty during the lunch hour Thursday. He said educating business owners, employees and others in the downtown area to park in the public lots and leave the other spaces open for customers would go a long way toward solving the parking situation.
Mayor Milton Tate directed City staff to work quickly writing an ordinance to cover the licensing of parklets to businesses downtown, including a limit on the number that would be allowed in one area. Because Alamo and Main Streets are state highways, parklets could not be built along those streets.
Redshaw says it has always been her dream to open a restaurant with outdoor seating in Brenham, where customers can enjoy a glass of wine or beer with lunch or dinner.
I think this is a fantastic idea and a fabulous addition to Brenham. It is innovative and what Brenham needs to keep the business local and win back some of the business that goes to the big cites for their dining and entertainment. I think this will generate business and increase revenue for the city as a whole.
I am so excited about this. What a great idea Edward. The 291 is a great place to go, then the Citadel being reopened and now this. What will you think of next. Kudos to you and Ms. Redshaw.
Block the sidewalks already with junk. Now, block and take the parking area. When you block your parking in front of your business, I want a reserve spot in front of my business. Somebody recently drove through a building and now you want to have chairs with people next to the street. Yea, the sweat aroma of a car and truck exhaust in the street. Sip wine and snort that. Sitting in between cars in a parking lot area. Is that fine dining? You got to be kidding. Parking is more important for my business.
Wow such animosity. If you have a business and you want to reserve a spot in front of your business, go right ahead. This is Mr. Smith and Ms. Redshaw’s business and this is what they choose to do. I think it is an awesome idea and I bet it will get more business than any place downtown. Just saying.
This is a great idea and will be a lovely addition to downtown Brenham! Glad to see this in the works and looking forward to the opening of 96 West.
About time restaurant owners cultivated the great weather here ! It will be fabulous!!!!
Maryanne
I applaud Brenham and the new owners for developing this concept. Paris, Buenos Aires and Frankfort have been doing this for years. I for one, am pleased about this and feel it will enhance our wonderful town by this attraction.
Dave Wyatt
Chappell Hill