Latest news with #German-inspired
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Beer Hall 'Permanently' Closing After Nearly 50 Years
A beloved restaurant in the Houston area announced it permanently closed its doors over the weekend. Rudi Lechner opened his German-inspired beer hall in 1976 before he retired and the restaurant was purchased by Jay Luchun. "I made sure not to change anything about Rudi's, from the menu to the staff and especially the name," Luchun told Westchase Today, a quarterly community publication, in 2018. "Many of the restaurant's loyal workers have been there for 20 years or more. I feel a responsibility to keep them employed." Now, nearly 50 years after its opening, Rudi Lechner's is shuttering its doors. "After many wonderful years of serving the community, Rudi Lechner's has permanently closed its doors," read a statement from the restaurant Sunday, via the Houston Chronicle. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported us over the years. It has been an incredible journey filled with memorable moments, delicious meals, and the joy of sharing our culture and hospitality with you." The restaurant reportedly apologized to those impacted by the sudden closing. In a post on Reddit, the Consulate of Austria emailed members that its monthly Stammtisch—an Austrian-themed dinner—at the restaurant was canceled following Rudi Lechner's sudden closing. In the email, the consulate revealed that the owner of the Rudi Lechner property was "looking for a new restaurant operator who may also invest in renovating the place." Rudi Lechner's described itself as a casual, and 'gemuetliches' German-Texan restaurant, that is all about Sausages, Wiener Schnitzel and great German Beer and Wine."Beer Hall 'Permanently' Closing After Nearly 50 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skowhegan Spinning Mill gears up to open hotel, restaurant, apartments
Apr. 19—SKOWHEGAN — John Gessner envisions the redevelopment of the Spinning Mill in downtown as a community hub. The long-awaited project had been set back with millions of dollars in damage by Kennebec River flooding in December 2023. But now Gessner, who was hired last month as the property's general manager, is getting ready to open its doors. "This will become a true neighborhood gathering spot," Gessner said during a recent tour of the 80,000-square-foot building. "I mean, you can't get into or out of Skowhegan without going by it. So, if something is going on, you're going to see it as you drive in or drive out of town. We're really hoping to provide something special for Skowhegan as well as residents and guests." The mixed-use project at the former Solon Manufacturing and Maine Spinning Co. mill at 7 Island Ave., which has been touted as a key part of the town's ongoing economic revitalization efforts, is expected to be finished this year in phases, beginning in the coming weeks. The 20-room hotel — called "The Skowhegan" — on the first floor is set to open in the next few weeks, Gessner said. The Biergarten, a German-inspired beer garden and restaurant operated by the owners of Miller's Table at Maine Grains in Skowhegan, is set to follow with a targeted opening later in May. The restaurant space, which includes an indoor area and kitchen and outdoor patio overlooking the river, was originally planned for Skowhegan-based Bigelow Brewing Co. After the restaurant opens, through the summer, residents are expected to move into the 41 apartments on the second, third and top floors, one floor at a time, from bottom to top. Formal announcements about when exactly the hotel, restaurant and apartments will open are expected soon, said Dash Davidson, a principal of Bangor-based High Tide Capital, the Spinning Mill's developer. The company needs to finalize its hotel booking website and other details before announcing a firm opening date, he said. "Things are getting very close," Davidson said. A LOOK INSIDE The 20 hotel rooms vary in layout. With high ceilings from the building's industrial past, the rooms have massive 10-foot doors and windows. Gessner said he is not sure what a typical night's stay would cost, though he expects it will be competitive with the market in the area. The hotel will be operated by High Tide Capital and branded as a Kasa hotel, Gessner said. Kasa, a national brand, uses technology for typical hotel services like check-ins and key pickup, although Gessner said hotel staff will be on-site during the day, and Kasa provides support for common issues after hours. Gessner, who is originally from Massachusetts and now lives in Augusta, came to High Tide Capital with experience managing other hotels in Maine. He said he managed the hotel and food and beverage operation at the Senator Inn in Augusta for about three years and was part of the management team that opened the Best Western Plus hotel in Rumford in 2022. He expects the hotel to be popular, especially with local businesses. "With all the corporate partners in the neighborhood here, between New Balance, Sappi, and the hospital ... I expect we will have people who are staying three or four days at a time on business, or possibly traveling nurses," Gessner said. Upstairs, the 41 apartments vary in size, from a studio, loft-style unit to a three-bedroom/two-bathroom layout. The units, most of which are to be market-rate, come unfurnished, Gessner said. About 35%-40% were leased as of this week, he said. The top-floor apartments — with views overlooking the Kennebec River, the Weston dam and downtown Skowhegan and access to a rooftop deck — have already been claimed, according to Gessner. The ground floor will feature several common spaces for residents and guests, including a gym, a screening room with a 100-inch television, a storage room, a conference room and a few office spaces. Also downstairs, Gessner said an art room, when finished, will be available to local artists to use as a studio and will display local works. "It's all about getting the community involved and making it a gathering space, and the more we can do, the more we can serve the community," Gessner said. "To me, that's all the fun stuff." ECONOMIC IMPACT Kristina Cannon, president and CEO of the economic revitalization nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan, said the development ties in with ongoing economic development efforts, including the long-planned River Park for which construction is anticipated to potentially begin this year. "When High Tide Capital bought the property, they told us the reason that they purchased it was that they were excited about the momentum in Skowhegan," Cannon said. "So, they took a chance on us ... I think it's an example of the development we can expect as a result of the work that we're doing on the ground in Skowhegan." The hotel will fill a need for more lodging, Cannon said. The town currently has two motels operating as traditional lodging establishments, while other motel-like properties have been used almost entirely for short-term housing for workers at the Sappi paper mill, the New England Clean Energy Connect corridor and other major employers. "I hear on a regular basis that people go to Waterville to stay, even if they're conducting meetings in Skowhegan or north of Skowhegan, because they don't find hotel rooms available in Skowhegan," Cannon said. The new apartments also help the town's goals to add more housing. A 2021 housing study that Main Street Skowhegan commissioned called for more units, specifically downtown. At the time, the study found the rental vacancy rate was less than 1%. A draft of the town's updated Ten-year Comprehensive Plan, currently in the final stages of development, calls for at least 75 to 100 new housing units in currently developed areas. An aging population is expected to affect the kind of housing in demand, according to the draft plan. Bryan Belliveau, the town's director of economic and community development, said he expects some of the people moving into the Spinning Mill will be locals looking to downsize from larger homes as costs of living increase, for example. "We definitely need more housing stock," Belliveau said. "This helps get us a little bit closer. We're still a ways off." After the historic flooding following the December 2023 storm, Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, drew attention to the development's importance to state housing goals. She toured the damaged basement, where rushing water tossed around 300-pound windows that were in storage and left behind several inches of frozen sediment on the floor. High Tide Capital received financing to get back on track from several sources, including loans from the town of Skowhegan and Somerset County and a storm recovery grant from the state. Skowhegan voters at June 2024 town meeting also approved a tax increment financing, or TIF, district for the Spinning Mill that includes a credit enhancement agreement that returns a portion of taxes on the increase in property value to the developer over the first 20 years of the 30-year TIF. Belliveau, who is also still working in his previous role as Skowhegan's code enforcement officer, said he anticipates no major negative impacts of added business traffic downtown. Site plans approved by the Planning Board call for 86 of the 111 required parking spaces to be on site. The town permitted the Spinning Mill to use the other required 25 spaces in the nearby parking lot off Island Avenue, on the south side of the Federated Church, during daytime hours. A rendering on the Spinning Mill's website shows parking for the hotel, restaurant and apartments will be assigned to different areas around the building. The Maine Department of Transportation did not require a traffic permit as the development did not meet its threshold to trigger that requirement, according to Belliveau. But it remains to be seen how the Spinning Mill's location — on the 90-degree turn between the Margaret Chase Smith bridges, Skowhegan's major bottleneck — will affect traffic. Belliveau said the worst impacts, if any, would likely be in the afternoon, after school dismissal and shift change at several large employers, including New Balance. People going to the restaurant would likely be doing so in the evening, which is generally a quieter time, he said. "I think it's going to be different because traffic hasn't been in and off that site in so long," Belliveau said. "It's just going to be new. I think people are just going to have to pay attention a little bit more." Gessner, the general manager, agreed: "There will be a couple weeks of chaos," he said. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
What Reynoldsburg schools are doing to become safer
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) — The Reynoldsburg City Schools' safety and security team said it has made some major strides. In the past, its primary function was physical safety, but over the last few years, members have taken a more holistic approach with their students. The safety and security team is comprised of 13 members who work closely with the district's social workers. Dublin eyeing German-inspired holiday market for Bridge Park in 2026 Director of Safety and Security Jim Ramsey said safety is not just checking doors – it's taking care of the mental health and well-being of the students. Ramsey created a student safety committee where he and committee members meet to discuss safety and other important topics. Because of this, he said the school culture is changing for the better. 'When I first got here, the students, you'd walk into a building, and they always seemed like they were on edge, just not knowing what was going to happen from day to day,' Ramsey said. 'You can walk into the buildings now and students are happy to be here. Just that kind of change is what we were looking for.' Senior Chevon Brown said she didn't care about school when she entered high school; that changed when members of Reynoldsburg's Safety and Security team proved they cared. 'No matter what they have going on in their own life or what's going on around the school building, if one of us needs them, they're always there for us,' Brown said. OSU President seeks legislative clarity after student visas revoked without notice According to Robert Ervin, Reynoldsburg's safety specialist, they're not there to police kids. He said they're there to support them and make sure they're safe, both physically and mentally. 'I'm a father, so when you step in the building, I treat all the kids like they're my own,' Ervin said. 'I just have a special part in my heart for that and just the empathy and the solid advice we try to give them to make them better people, to make the world a better place.' According to the district, over the last two years, fighting and weapon incidents have decreased by 74% because students have decided they want a safer school environment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Olentangy student wins first place in documentary contest
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — Each year, C-SPAN holds a competition that allows middle and high school students to try their hand at documentary making, and a student in central Ohio took home one of the top prizes. Out of the nearly 3,500 students who entered C-SPAN's StudentCam competition this year, Olentangy Liberty freshman Ben Kurian was announced as the first-prize winner of the High School Central division. His film 'The Road to Vision Zero' is about using artificial intelligence to enhance road safety. It's just seven minutes long, but Kurian fit a lot of content into that short amount of time. All about six new laws in Ohio that go into effect today 'Over the past few years, we've been seeing an increase, really, in these road traffic deaths, and not much has really changed about the way we address it,' Kurian said. 'So I looked at potential solutions and saw that AI held some transformative potential.' Kurian ended up talking to ten different experts about AI and preventing traffic crashes, all while being a top student at Olentangy Liberty. He started working on the documentary around winter break. 'It was a really, I guess, busy two weeks for me trying to balance school coming back into session, and also those like ten whole interviews,' Kurian said. Kurian picked the Vision Zero topic because he heard of too many people losing their lives in traffic crashes, and his research showed AI can be a very helpful tool. 'Currently we have more of a reactive approach, whereas we find crashes and then make changes after those crashes happen,' Kurian said. 'But really what we need is a more proactive approach.' Dublin eyeing German-inspired holiday market for Bridge Park in 2026 Kurian said he got a lot of help along the way. His English teacher Aaron Rothey was his adviser in the competition. 'He asked me to look over it and offer any feedback that I could give him, so I watched it a few times,' Rothey said. 'I wrote down some notes, talked through the notes in the suggestions with him, and that was about it. It was really his thing.' As a first prize winner, Kurian got $3,000. He said he's looking forward to people seeing his work. 'Vision Zero really starts with all of us,' Kurian said. 'We all need to make a change for this.' 'The Road to Vision Zero' will air on C-SPAN on Saturday, April 19, at 6:50 a.m. with replays throughout the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Emirates Woman
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
10 uber-cool cafés to switch-off with a cup of joe in Dubai
Life by Mehral Sadat 4 hours ago Looking for a place to have a solid cup of coffee and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life? We got you covered. When it comes to coffee, the journey in finding an aesthetic spot is always half the job done. With Dubai's ever-growing coffee community, we are always on the look out for spots that we can go to escape the our busy schedules and take some time to be mindful and have a tasty cup of joe. Whether you feel like winding down on your own, or with some friends the following spots are perfect to do just that. Emirates Woman has curated a guide of our favourite coffee shops to visit for a midweek break. IYKYK Community Club & Café in Villa AUMÉDAN Tucked away inside a single story villa in a quiet Jumeira neighbourhood, IYKYK prides itself in offering the community a nice cup of coffee in concept store and flower studio Villa AUMÉDAN. Surrounded by modern and unique furniture, prints and colors you are sure to enjoy the space whilst catching up with friends. The space hosts pop-ups with local designers, ranging from clothing to accessories. What better way to browse? For more information visit Boston Lane Located in Courtyard in the art district of Al Quoz, this hidden gem is the perfect place to unwind and grab yourself a cup of coffee. From 7:30AM to 7PM, Boston Lane provides its guests with a cozy, pastel interior, delicious food and speciality coffee. Boston Lane shares its space with The Collective, which houses several homegrown concepts to have a look at whilst waiting for your coffee. For more information visit Backyard Coffee View this post on Instagram A post shared by Backyard (@ Established in the Umm Suqeim area on 22nd street, Backyard is your neighbourhood coffee club. With big glass windows and plants all around, you are bound to enter into serenity here. Not only does Backyard serve coffee, but it also has its own German-inspired spin on the ice latte called the Einspänner latte. This is a drink you must try. With over 7 locations, Backyard ensures you get the winding down session you need with a delicious drink. Orto Dubai View this post on Instagram A post shared by Orto Cafe (@ortodubai) Sitting on a corner, overlooking the Dubai Water Canal, Orto is the spot to go to when looking for aesthetic visuals and good coffee. Additionally, they offer both indoor and outdoor seating, giving their clients choice in where they would like to sip their drink. Orto is the perfect place to head when craving an evening cup – as the sun sets and the breeze hits, the coffee is sure to complete the serene experience. Lastly, the spot offers parking by the Dubai Water Canal, making it an easy destination to get to. Terra View this post on Instagram A post shared by terra تيرا (@ Nestled in the corner of Waitrose in Al Thanya Street, Terra is a malleable amalgam inspired by people and places. This spot welcomes its regulars and new guests with open arms. Filled with big, leafy plants and a variety of textures this space is definitely one of the places you should experience for a moment of calm and a delicious coffee drink. The outside space acts as an escape to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Paus Club With the opening of its new space right on Al Wasl road, Paus Club ensures that those who walk into their doors are offered sanctuary. With a minimal approach to décor, this space allows you to rid your mind of the daily stresses you might be feeling. Besides the big windows and luscious greens to look at, Paus gives you a moment to pause during your day to both enjoy your coffee and unwind. What's more, is that the new location offers a big parking space, so there is no need to fret on where you are going to park your car. For more information visit Toby's Estate Straight out of Australia, Toby's Estate has locations in Jumeirah 2, Dubai Hills Mall and finally Last Exit DXB Bound. The coffee shop offers quiet from the busy roads no matter what part of town you are. Modern architecture mixed with the presence of green plants evokes a sense of luxury bliss. The bright space offers a selection of coffee beans with great service. 100 Café in The Hundred Wellness Centre Situated in the heart of Dubai in Jumeirah 1, the 100 Café finds itself in a The Hundred Wellness Centre, a wellness destination. Located in a minimal white villa with a couple of parking spaces. The café overlooks a lush green garden with seating inside and outside. This space serves healthy bites and drinks. The cafe caters to a chemical-free and organic lifestyle, putting thought into each ingredient. With that in mind, if you are into plant-based milks and healthy treats, then surely 100 Café is the place for you without a doubt. East West View this post on Instagram A post shared by East West (@ Just a minute away from Boston Lane in Al Quoz's Courtyard, East West is a blank canvas platform. It links the creative and cultural relationship of bringing people together. It is well-lit with wooden chairs and a tall ceiling. This space serves a selection of refreshing coffee and drinks. Therefore this is a great option to pick whether you want to have a cup in the morning or until your break on a busy, work-filled day. The Grey View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Grey (@thegreydxb) The Grey has a sophisticated take on winding down. You can sit in the garden space outside or sit inside and appreciate the landscape. With the windows slid open, the space shifts into a sleek yet cosy setting. With a focus on coffee culture, The Grey opens its arms to guests with enthusiasm and connection. This space connects its guests. From serving your coffee order to hosting coffee sessions where you can grow, learn and experience the art of coffee-making. You can find The Grey in Al Safa 1. There is parking lot in front of the shop for an easy in and out. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @emelieolson
