A new entertainment venue could be coming to the Arts District in Benton Harbor.
Speaking to city commissioners Monday, Meredith George of St. Joe Wine Shoppe said the new Arts District Wine Bar and Social Club will be located in a currently vacant building at 253 Park Street. The plan is to open a wine bar, a retail wine shop, and a live music venue and private event space.
“Our programming will include national touring artists, jazz, comedy, blues, along with themed dance nights, wine tasting, private events, corporate gathering spaces, and weddings and other events for the local people to use,” George said.
George was there seeking a liquor license for the venue. She said she and her partners, the Clement Construction Group, are investing $450,000 to fix up the old building.
Some commissioners pushed back on the liquor license request, saying the city doesn’t need more alcohol vendors, but Mayor Marcus Muhammad said this project will bring much-needed revitalization to a property that has become an eyesore and a hazard.
“It’s a great idea,” Muhammad said. “I won’t be drinking, but I can’t make decisions based on my personal convictions. If it’s within the law, then I have to vote for what is not offensive of the law.”
Muhammad said the city needs an entertainment district, and while the nearby Livery has done the heavy lifting on that for a long time, the new Arts District Wine Bar and Social Club will provide a welcome enhancement.
Commissioners approved the applicant’s liquor license with only Ethel Clark Griffin and Emma Kinnard voting no. George didn’t say when the new venue might open.
