The now-vacant Dorchester Tire property at 1150 Dorchester Ave. would be used as an outdoor market with a beer garden on Sundays as part of a plan discussed at Monday evening’s meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association.
Local resident Piter Brandao of Pleasant Entertainment and Tam Le, who owns Pho Hoa Restaurant and Lêgacy Càphê coffee roasters, hope to start operations on May 24.
“We want to create a Farmer’s Market there on Sundays with fresh fruits for sale; we already have the market next door on board,” Brandao said. “There will be a pet zone and a kids entrepreneurship program…We really want to hear from the community now –needs and wants. We have access to the property and want to bring something there that the neighborhood would want and would support.”
He said the idea is to involve a variety of vendors, kids activities and games, and a separate beer garden from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry into the open market would be free, with items for purchase inside and vendors that would be individually licensed where necessary.
The property is owned by the Chan family. Le is in the process of building out a coffee roasting operation inside the former tire repair building. Le would also operate the beer garden, which would be sited at the northern end and would be fenced off from the rest of the market. He experimented last year with a few activities on site that were successful, he said.
Joel Kamm and Kevin DePina are also partners in the venture.
Brandao, who lives on Pleasant Street, would be providing games and entertainment – he already has conducted large block parties on Pleasant Street every year. Meanwhile, Lizzie’s Bakery from the Seaport will have a shop there, but Brandao and Le “would like to hear from more vendors,” Brandao said.
A meeting this week with the city’s Special Events Committee will be critical in determining when and how the venture moves forward, Brandao said.
If all goes well, they will have an opening day on May 24, and they’ve reserved June 7 for a special Dorchester Day Parade market, and June 21 for a World Cup viewing during the market.
Initial reaction from neighbors was that the concept was “really cool,” and others said they would like to support the market.
A Banshee Pub request
Banshee Pub owner Ray Butler appeared at the civic meeting Monday night asking to locate a television at an inside window facing the pub’s outdoor street patio so that patrons on the patio could watch the World Cup games, and potentially one Champions League game, in early June. He said they are hoping to relieve some expected crowd pressure inside the pub and on the back patio during the games. There would be audio associated with the TV and he indicated they would keep the sidewalk clear at all times.
“We’re not looking to put this thing up there all year round,” he said. “It’s kind of a hassle. There’s no hidden agenda but we would like them up during the World Cup games.”
The matter had the unanimous support of the civic’s Planning Committee and was well received on Monday.
The Big Party
Instead of three separate summer events, CSHCA plans to host one large party dubbed Malibu Summer Art Festival on June 13 on Malibu/Savin Hill Beach from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event would combine the summer picnic, Arts in the Park, and Music in the Park into one event.
Savin Hill Notebook
•The CSHCA held annual elections on Monday and the executive slate was elected with no opposition. Officers include President Bill Walczak, Vice President Eileen Boyle, Treasurer Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary Julianne Jackson, and Corresponding Secretary Liz Doyle.
•Police noted that an alert detective from the Youth Violence Strike Force driving along Pleasant Street on April 28 disrupted an assault of a scooter delivery driver, while also making an arrest. Around 4:20 p.m., the detective was in the area of Mayfield Street when he saw four suspects on two scooters surrounding a delivery driver, and suddenly assaulting him. It’s a crime that is on the upswing in other parts of the city but hadn’t been seen much in C-11 until now. The detective jumped out of his vehicle and tackled one of the four beating the man. He was able to handcuff him, though the others fled successfully. The arrestee, who is only 14, was charged in the assault. He is from part of the city far from Dorchester, police said.
•Civic members entertained a lively discussion about four ballot questions devoted to voting and the legislature known as the “four questions on democracy.” The Yes on 4 group spoke to them, including Partners in Democracy CEO Jerren Chang, of Pope’s Hill. The initiatives include Election Day Voter Registration, All-Party Primaries for state, Congress and US Senate, Expanding Public Records for Governor’s Office, and State Legislature and Legislative Stipend Reform. The 45-minute discussion hit on all points, part of a monthly effort at the civic to provide information on the numerous ballot questions coming up in November.
