Papa's Planet sold (aka Tequila Tom's)

4429 mcc · 05-08-2008, 02:02 PM

dmJuice.com :: Juice-Bar Guide

Tom Baldwin recently added two new bars to his stable of popular nightspots.

Baldwin, who owns Drink, Crush, Wellman's and several others, purchased La Roca and Tequila Tom's (both at 208 Third St. downtown) from owner Larry Smithson.

Smithson had owned the property for the last 15 years.

Last year Baldwin bought Wellman's on Ingersoll and opened The Dublin in the Drake neighborhood, expanding his reach beyond his popular clubs in the western suburbs. He plans to keep the La Roca portion of the building the same, focusing on Latin music on Fridays and Saturdays. Tequila Tom's will reopen under a new name in the next few weeks.

Smithson, a longtime player in the downtown bar scene, said he plans to focus on his remaining bars: Surf Shack, Club Statik and Club A.M. downtown, and Las Coronas in West Des Moines. Smithson said Club Statik will become a no-cover dance club, and wants to add shuttle service between the club and Surf Shack.

Thank goodness, those places were really starting to bring down the whole revitalized scene of Court Ave. I would guess they will make a drink downtown location.

cybsball20 · 05-08-2008, 02:05 PM

I guess you get the lesser of the two evils with this transaction...

4429 mcc · 05-08-2008, 02:07 PM

Help me out if you know this but is Drink in WDM a ripoff of Drink in Minneapolis? Whats the story there?

The_Architect · 05-08-2008, 02:07 PM

Finally get Smithson out there. That patio is one of the best in town and Tom will make that place successful in no time!

The_Architect · 05-08-2008, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Help me out if you know this but is Drink in WDM a ripoff of Drink in Minneapolis? Whats the story there?

Same owners.

cys_av8r · 05-08-2008, 02:11 PM

Drink and Crush represent all of what is wrong with society today. I think I would rather have mullet headed idiots running around that dump on Court than a bunch of d-bags wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BMW.

dmclone · 05-08-2008, 02:17 PM

This guy should take a lesson from Full Court Press.

Compare this
Surf Shack, Club Statik, Club A.M. and Las Coronas

To this
Hessen Haus, High Life, El Bait Shop, Royal Mile,Red Monk(my fav), Shorty's and Buzzard Billy's

The_Architect · 05-08-2008, 02:20 PM

Smithson is a total d-bag and slimeball. He's been ruining downtown for years and partially responsible for all the losers that used to make up the downtown scene. Thankfully, the re-energized downtown is forcing him to pack and and leave.(for the most part).

cybsball20 · 05-08-2008, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

Smithson is a total d-bag and slimeball. He's been ruining downtown for years and partially responsible for all the losers that used to make up the downtown scene. Thankfully, the re-energized downtown is forcing him to pack and and leave.(for the most part).

He needs to stay on the other side of the river and maybe try to make some kind of 'warehouse district' of clubs or something. Or he could get out the bar business all together and I wouldn't mind.

I hope Baldwin has a good idea for that corner space, with that patio it could be a really cool place.

delt4cy · 05-08-2008, 02:24 PM

This is what Court Ave. has needed in a long time.

I don't care what goes in there as long as it isn't brightly colored and blasting crappy 80's music! Teq. Tom's and Surfshack are complete dumps and they attract a shady crowd from what I can tell.

IMO if they built a deck on top of the current patio and gave it a Bourbon Street type of feel that would be pretty sweet. I know that won't happen but I can wish right.

DSM is definitely turning a corner. While growing up I never would've thought downtown was a place to go out but now I actually live downtown and enjoy it.

dosry5 · 05-08-2008, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

Drink and Crush represent all of what is wrong with society today. I think I would rather have mullet headed idiots running around that dump on Court than a bunch of d-bags wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BMW.

That's in August at the State Fair....

The_Architect · 05-08-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

He needs to stay on the other side of the river and maybe try to make some kind of 'warehouse district' of clubs or something. Or he could get out the bar business all together and I wouldn't mind.

I hope Baldwin has a good idea for that corner space, with that patio it could be a really cool place.

He does, just trying to figure out a good name still.

4429 mcc · 05-08-2008, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

Drink and Crush represent all of what is wrong with society today. I think I would rather have mullet headed idiots running around that dump on Court than a bunch of d-bags wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BMW.

There's a reason why those d bags are wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BWM. Because there are actually women their and they're trying to get laid!

Thank god women actually wear cocktail dress and heels downtown now. Downtown should be for getting all prettied up and having a good time, whether it be listen to a band or cutting a rug. Sitting around and drinking beer in your jeans and fav flannel is cool but I'd rather not have that where I folks from out of town to go out and have a good time. JMO

cys_av8r · 05-08-2008, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

There's a reason why those d bags are wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BWM. Because there are actually women their and they're trying to get laid!

Thank god women actually wear cocktail dress and heels downtown now. Downtown should be for getting all prettied up and having a good time, whether it be listen to a band or cutting a rug. Sitting around and drinking beer in your jeans and fav flannel is cool but I'd rather not have that where I folks from out of town to go out and have a good time. JMO

I am not even sure how to respond to this other than to say be careful with your dad's car.

Cy Heavy · 05-08-2008, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

Drink and Crush represent all of what is wrong with society today. I think I would rather have mullet headed idiots running around that dump on Court than a bunch of d-bags wearing sparkly shirts and driving dad's BMW.

I'll take daddy's girls from WDM downtown over the big earl's castoff that currently hang out at Smithson's places downtown.