Published: November 11, 2009 07:49 pm      

JOB WELL DONE: Bank Street Brewhouse, Develop New Albany member awarded state honors

A New Albany restaurant has bested statewide competition to be distinguished as Indiana Main Street’s Business of the Year.

Friday, Bank Street Brewhouse will be awarded the top prize by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman at the Statehouse in Indianapolis during a ceremony honoring Indiana Main Street businesses.

As an Indiana Main Street organization, Develop New Albany organized applications for city businesses and individuals for the competition. In addition to the Bank Street Brewhouse award, Develop New Albany member Daniel Chandler was recognized as Outstanding Board Member.

Indiana Main Street is a state organization that pushes for revitalization of downtowns through a four-point approach of design, organization, promotion and economic restructuring.

Bank Street Brewhouse was selected as business of the year based on criteria that judges business innovation and marketing strategies as they impact downtown revitalization efforts.

The New Albany business beat about 20 other applicants for the award.

“We are delighted to receive an award that recognizes the central role played by the food and drink business in helping to establish a positive tone for downtown revitalization,” said Roger Baylor, co-owner of New Albanian Brewing Co.

New Albanian features two city businesses with the Bank Street Brewhouse at 415 Bank St. and The Pizzeria and Public House at 3312 Plaza Dr.

The Brewhouse opened officially in March and expanded its brewing production capabilities this summer, as the New Albanian line of craft beers are featured in various restaurants and pubs in Louisville Metro.

Baylor credited the work of Develop New Albany and its dedication to economic development.

“Sometimes unobtrusively, other times with higher visibility, Develop New Albany is helping connect downtown dots, primarily through networking and reinforcing Main Street’s four-point program,” he said. “As such, [Develop New Albany] and Bank Street Brewhouse help each other.”

Mike Kopp, president of Develop New Albany, said he’s happy that New Albanian and the Brewhouse are receiving state recognition.

“We survive because we try to interact with the community and provide a service as a not-for-profit organization,” he said.

Chandler pushed the Brewhouse application because of the alternative menu featured at the restaurant — which includes a variety of soups, sandwiches and specialty entrees such as mussels and scallops.

The rehab of the Brewhouse building, which has served as a bread store but was vacant for several years before New Albanian leased the site, also made the business an appealing candidate for the award, Chandler said.

“If you have a charming, historic but rundown building, it takes a lot of vision to make it into something. A lot of hard work, but it takes a lot more vision,” Chandler said.

As for his own award, Chandler said Develop New Albany prides itself on helping the community.

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here in New Albany to make things better,” Chandler said. “Just be willing to learn from what other cities have done, roll up our sleeves and get things done.”

Jeffersonville Main Street Inc. was also recognized with several awards, including the top honor for Downtown Special Event for the Wine Walk and Shop.



SO YOU KNOW

• The Bank Street Brewhouse, which officially opened in March, is hosting a grand opening week with events planned daily from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22.