Raccoon River Brewing (DSM) closing

[JP4CY]

http://www.kcci.com/news/popular-do...CI - kcci8&Content Type=Story&linkId=12277926

I always thought it was a great space but that the food and beer never met it. Sounds like it'll turn into a housing unit.

 

[chuckd4735]

Yeah not shocked with all the new places that have opened.

 

[alarson]

I always really enjoyed it. Was a great place to start a night with dinner before heading to court ave

 

[Al_4_State]

It was a cool place, but the beer just didn't measure up. Kinda surprised it made it that long, although they never seemed to be lacking in business.

 

[pourcyne]

Food and wait staff were terrible. Good riddance.

Maybe Django's will get the hint, too.

 

[capitalcityguy]

http://www.kcci.com/news/popular-do...CI - kcci8&Content Type=Story&linkId=12277926

I always thought it was a great space but that the food and beer never met it. Sounds like it'll turn into a housing unit.

The upper floors of the building are currently commercial/office space. I believe those will be converted to housing. I don't think it is clear what will be done with this particular space. It is street level in an area of town this is doing pretty well with the addition of the Des Moines Social Club nearby. Doesn't make sense to loose this as commercial/retail space IMO>

Anyway, this is a shame. Great space by like others have mentioned, never rose near the top as one of the better local microbreweries.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Bit more in the Reggie's article:

Because plans for the space are not finalized, Diebel would not speculate on the possibility of another restaurant opening in Raccoon River’s place, though the prospective buyers have reserved the restaurant and beer making equipment in their agreement.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ilding-hotel-fort-des-moines-django/23194261/

 

[CyTwins]

Thought it was a cool place, loved the upstairs but the food was always meh

 

[ianoconnor]

In related news, here's an interesting article about Hotel Fort Des Moines: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ort-des-moines-renovation-raj-patel/22898417/

 

[dmclone]

Food and wait staff were terrible. Good riddance.

Maybe Django's will get the hint, too.

Weird, I've never had a bad experience/meal at Django.

 

[CyBroncos]

Thought it was a cool place, loved the upstairs but the food was always meh

My thoughts exactly. I went there a few times for lunch when I worked downtown and liked the place but was never impressed by the food

 

[Cycopath]

I really loved this place. had good beer and food. Sucks that it is becoming housing, that is the last thing downtown des moines needs. Getting rid of an established popular business for potentially "low-income" housing. People who live downtown under the low income umbrella all exaggerate how poor they actually are to get a better rate.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Food and wait staff were terrible. Good riddance.

Maybe Django's will get the hint, too.

Don't think I've ever heard a bad comment about Django. Good food, good drinks, good happy hour deals. Curious what you don't like about the place.

 

[mj4cy]

Our Christmas party was there. Glad we got there before it closed.

 

[CYdTracked]

If you ever had an actual meal off the menu and not just their pub food like the appetizers it was pretty decent. The beer was just meh but was a nice spot to hit after work with some coworkers when I worked downtown. I'm sure Exile has really taken a bite out of their business since they are just a few blocks away.

 

[capitalcityguy]

I really loved this place. had good beer and food. Sucks that it is becoming housing, that is the last thing downtown des moines needs. Getting rid of an established popular business for potentially "low-income" housing. People who live downtown under the low income umbrella all exaggerate how poor they actually are to get a better rate.

You need to re-read the Register article. There is no stated plans for the space, but the new owners bought all the restaurant and brewery equipment. Pretty sure they didn't do that to put into loft apartments. The upper floors will be housing for sure...and there is no mention of these being income restricted vs market rate. Most of the current housing going up in downtown at the present time is "market rate" with only some income restricted, so I'm not sure it makes sense to assume either way on this one.

 

[CycoCyclone]

Food and wait staff were terrible. Good riddance.

Maybe Django's will get the hint, too.

you shut your mouth

 

[clones26]

Yeah more biz for Exile, which is actually good

 

[Mr Janny]

In related news, here's an interesting article about Hotel Fort Des Moines: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ort-des-moines-renovation-raj-patel/22898417/

Sounds like a good idea. We just spent the night at Des Lux, which is the old Suites on Locust. They've done some major renovation. It was very nice. You can tell they've put a lot of money into it.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I hope it's just a brewery. Don't always need more restaurants, always need more beer.