Thursday, December 17, 2015

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Happy Thursday, loyal readers! We're back with a brand new Development Review Committee recap! We must apologize for our recent lack of updates. With all of the holiday hustle and bustle plus a whole lot of new, exciting, and large projects about town, we turned around and suddenly two months had gone by without a blog update! The old saying really is true - time flies when you're having fun!

The DRC heard several items this week, and we wanted to draw your attention to a few interesting tidbits. First up, there's a new micro-brewer in town! Well, they haven't quite opened their doors yet, but this week REV Winery/REV Brewing Co. went before the DRC with a request to open a manufacturing facility (plus tasting room!) at Hamby Park. This is a new use at Hamby Park that will add an attraction to the overall development of Station Square Transit Village. The DRC forwarded their recommendation of approval to the Planning Commission, who will hear the item early next year. Once operations begin, visitors may be able to catch a performance of some live music in addition to being able to taste REV's organic wines and heady brews. With new businesses "REVing" up Station Square, Monrovians will soon have a new vibrant and bustling neighborhood to check out!

But, don't worry, because our beloved Old Town Monrovia is also blossoming with fresh and exciting businesses. For example, a new restaurant called Sow House located at 402-404 South Myrtle Avenue, previously home to Cafe Opera, just moved into town. With its emphasis on local, fresh, and organic ingredients, this restaurant is "sowing" fresh seeds and introducing a new style of restaurant to Old Town. Sow House will also offer live entertainment on weekend evenings through the end of the year, and will be requesting that the Planning Commission allow live music on a permanent basis. 

We also want to remind you that Orchard Supply Hardware is gearing up to open their Monrovia location at 725 West Huntington Drive. They were back before DRC this week to ask for allowance of seasonal display items in front of the store. This request was approved, and DRC ascertained that OSH is going full speed ahead for their new store. Sorry... we couldn't think of a clever pun for OSH. However, we are gOSH sure excited to have a new home improvement store in town!!

Finally, we would like to wish a very fond farewell to our DRC Chair and Community Development Director, Steve Sizemore, who is retiring at the end of the year. Steve is beloved here in Monrovia and we want to thank him for his guidance, insight, and humor through the years. Good luck, Steve!!!