BlackStarPub in the News Again
Now I know what it's like to be quoted in newsprint.
The Daily Texan: Cooperatively owned bar may open in Austin
Austin may soon have the first and only cooperative-run bar in the United States, said Steven Yarak, founder of the Black Star Pub.Yarak came up with the idea in 2005, when he was surprised to find that in the United States, there wasn't a single community owned-and-run bar. The concept of a co-op bar is that the regulars would be the ones who owned and ran the bar in addition to making decisions that influenced all customers.
Therese Adams, a member of the co-op group, said she believes that a co-op bar promotes the idea that Austin is about a small-town atmosphere.
As is the case with most start-ups, there are many issues that members of the bar are debating, including location.
Yarak said he is certain that if they could "find the right location," they "could make it work."
So far, East Austin is where the group wants to build the bar.
Charles Hueter, a former UT student, said he likes that he's helping create a "serious, authentic bar in East Austin in which he can have a say in how things are run."
I think I actually said, "a serious, authentic pub" but it's not a big deal. Adarsh Bagrodia asked me for a quote and I gave him the best I could after three glasses of IPA and glass of homebrew porter.
I was sitting in the kitchen of the house hosting the meeting when the doorbell rang. Since a stranger was there to greet me when I initially walked in, I figured I'd do the same for whomever this was. Turns out it was Mr. Bagrodia, a student reporter from The Daily Texan. I lead him to the kitchen were some folks were painting pint glasses and working on web design. After exchanging names, I took him outside and found Mr. Yarak. That's when I learned The Press was among us. No pain, though; Adarsh was cool throughout.
Combined with the article on the BSP from last week, this should provide a good publicity boost.
I began to take an active role in the soon-to-be co-op after last week's Wednesday meeting. Ironically, I volunteered to help navigate the rough waters of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the imposing Alcoholic Beverage Code. I will try not to burst into flames while reading it, looking for ways to figure out exactly what the state will let us do.
Comments
I don't have much to say regarding the co-op bar (other than I might visit it next time I'm in town) but it did remind me of another Onion article: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38517
Posted by: Tim Swanson | February 7, 2006 04:36 PM
Well, things are not yet firm about organization and structure so it's too early to criticize the effort, but I understand the concern. I'm wary of enterprises that try to make a conscious effort to skirt having one individual owner at the top. Especially at the small business level, the only essential problem with that mode of operation is having an incompetent running things.
But with the way this may work out, there will be a vested membership where you buy an ownership share and earn a vote on matters concerning the pub's operation. I very much doubt coercion will be utilized to gain or expel membership, leaving individuals to enter and exit as they see fit. More problematic are the details of trading/selling/accumulating shares. There seems to be a considerable weight placed on "one man, one vote" so this isn't likely to result in an incentive to gain additional shares. Neither is it likely that this will be a significantly profitable undertaking, weakening the incentive to have a share to earn potential dividends.
But shit, next time you're in town drop me a line, co-op pub in existence or not.
Posted by: Drizz | February 7, 2006 06:55 PM
sounds like Wheatsville.
Posted by: Raspil | February 11, 2006 04:16 PM