Downtown Phoenix has been on a growth binge for years now, and it shows no signs of stopping. As more people flock downtown, they need more places to have good eats.
Downtown is not without growing pains, and some local businesses bid farewell.
Here are some of the biggest openings and closings which took place during our 2018 winter break.
Openings:
Paz Cantina
330 E. Roosevelt St.
After its original location closed in 2015 to make way for the Broadstone Roosevelt Row apartments, Paz Cantina has reopened on the first floor of the very same complex. Specializing in cocktails and Mexican food, Paz is ready to be back on RoRo.
Taco Bell Cantina
201 E. Washington St. Ste. 105
After an evening of downtown drinking you and your friends will likely consider visiting the nearest greasy late night bite, only now the party can continue because a new Taco Bell Cantina is open for business and serving various alcoholic beverages.
The Sazerac
821 N. Second St.
The Sazerac is a new bar with a prohibition-era speakeasy style. This bar features live music and has an interesting piece of local history: Its “no vacancy” sign is from former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s notorious old Tent City jail.
Closings:
The Rose & Crown Pub
628 E. Adams St.
After the city didn’t renew The Rose & Crown Pub’s lease, the bar, a popular place for English soccer fans to gather, closed in late November. But the pub’s owner bought half of a nearby sports bar, Coach’s Corner Grill, promising to bring his soccer fan patrons with him to Coach’s.
Closing Soon:
Revolver Records
918 N. Second St.
After 11 years, Revolver Records’ last day open will be on First Friday, Feb. 1. The store sells records, CDs and DVDs to the Roosevelt Row community, but owner T.J. Jordan said it’s no longer a viable business model for the area. Jordan’s next venture is Mojave Records & Coffee at 48th Street and Thomas Road.
Coming Soon:
Snooze, An A.M. Eatery
800 N. Central Ave.
Snooze is a popular breakfast restaurant chain with locations already operating in Tempe and Phoenix. The downtown location will be inside The Stewart Apartments building, a high-rise currently under construction.
Blanco Tacos and Tequila
125 E. Washington St.
Blanco Tacos and Tequila is coming to the under-construction Block 23 development, which will include a Fry’s grocery store, apartments, retail and office space when finished. This Mexican restaurant will be owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts, the company behind the popular Arrogant Butcher in nearby CityScape. It’s scheduled to be opened by the end of 2019.
Bud’s on Grand
1301 N.W. Grand Ave.
Bud’s Glass Joint, the Roosevelt Row smoke shop, is expanding its business by adding a second location in the Grand Avenue Arts District. Specializing in products such as CBD, cigars, botanicals, local glass, arts and jewels, Bud’s sells a variety of items to suit your interests.
Greenwood Brewery and Bar
Fifth and Roosevelt Streets
Lisa Greenwood’s Greenwood Brewery is a craft brewery that “aim(s) to make every woman feel empowered, confident, and safe to share her story,” according to its website. It will start serving craft beer to the Roosevelt Row community in either spring or summer 2019.
This map of downtown Phoenix displays the locations of some of the recent business openings and closings. Red pins reference businesses that have closed, blue represents those that have opened and green those that are coming soon.
For questions, contact the reporter at thomas.triolo@asu.edu.
Downtown Devil's community section editor. I also write the Downtown Digest, a weekly column with things to do, with experience writing news articles and creating news videos as well. Graduating from ASU in May 2020.
