Project: Downtown

BROOKINGS — Downtown Brookings is constantly evolving, and thanks to several different programs approved by the City Council, locals are likely to notice some changes — if they haven’t already.

A pair of different grant programs offered by the city allowed Garner Hansen to refurbish the Main Street Pub downtown this year, while a pilot program that brought a parklet to Wooden Legs on Fifth Street will be extended to a permanent program, with other Downtown businesses likely taking advantage.

All of the programs are designed to preserve the unique character of Downtown while encouraging business growth — and so far, participants have rave reviews.

Main Street Pub
Hansen has been running the bar at 408 Main Ave. since 2004 — and he bought the building in 2005. He’s been working on improvements to the historic structure since he took over, but when he found out there was city grant funding available, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I found out that there was a grant available — but that it needed to be applied for in like, three or four days,” Hansen said. “So we went to a quick meeting about it, and scrambled to get all the bids in and got it all done, and then got it all submitted, and were awarded a grant.”

The first was for the Downtown Brookings Facade Grant, a city program that awards up to $25,000 for improving a building’s historic facade at a 50 percent match rate.
Hansen also applied for and was granted a Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program grant towards improvements to the interior of the building. That program allows for up to $25,000 at a 33 percent match rate.

“We had to go through a process of submitting plans for the remodeling, especially the storefront,” Hansen said. “We had to find all the pictures from years ago.”

Scott Anderson from Discmacon in Brookings did the masonry work, matching the brick to the front of the building that was originally a dry goods store opened in 1898 and was a longtime home to Ideal Bakery downtown.

“Scott matched up all the brick, and we fixed all the corners that were cracked and a header that was cracked. And everything got put back to the way it was. And then we worked with Brian’s Glass out of Watertown for the glass in the front,” Hansen said.

Hansen, who has steadily improved the building since he bought it, chose to tackle the ceiling for his next project.

Taking advantage of another grant, Hansen tore out the old drop ceiling. Once they got a look at the space without it, they decided to steer into the old school high ceiling look.

“Everything above the drop ceiling was really old, and there were wires running everywhere and across the drop ceiling, and vent ducts and all that kind of stuff,” Hansen said. “And so we thought, what would the building look like, and would it look better if we just raised the ceiling and redid all the electrical so it looked nice?

“And then we didn’t realize in the front, it was a pretty nice tin ceiling. That’s the historic tin ceiling that was in there before, and it had been painted black. And so we just kind of left the defects that were in the ceiling, like the little pipes that were hanging down and stuff like that, and little holes that were in it. We cleaned the entire ceiling and then brought it all together with black paint.”

Hansen also pointed out some of the unique features of the bar, which include mix and match wood paneling on the walls and a custom bar made out of wood from his parents farm. Not to mention a large, illuminated American flag near the stage in back.

Hansen said the bar gets a good college crowd these days, with the addition of a kitchen serving late night munchies paying off.

This spring, the city council voted to extend both programs for another year. Property owners who are interested can view the rules and download grant applications on the city’s website.

While smaller projects are continuing at Main Street Pub, this is the first summer in a few that Hansen will not be closed for repairs, and he’s looking forward to seeing what that season brings for the remodeled business.

“I think every bar downtown has a little bit of a breather when school lets out and they go in and start fixing stuff and refurbishing stuff,” he said. “But we’re still looking to expand the events that we do down here. We’re talking with the class of ‘86 to have a little event down here when they do their reunion, looking to host some other parties like that.”

The City Council got a sneak peek at the improvements before The Pub reopened its doors, to rave reviews all around.

“Everybody thought it was a huge improvement, especially the storefront. I mean, it was very much needed,” Hansen said. “And on the storefront, it just makes the entire downtown look better. And I think overall, when people come downtown they see how nice it is, and it just draws people to the whole area.”

Wooden Legs
Readers might have noticed last summer that the parking spots in front of Wooden Legs Brewery on Fifth Street were taken over by a wooden temporary patio.

That was the result of a pilot program and the efforts of both the city and the business — to see if a parklet program for bar and restaurant seating would work in Brookings.

Parklets — temporary structures usually extending from the curb through parking spots for outdoor seating — for the hospitality industry boomed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on the East Coast, where summer tourism towns in particular struggled with distancing regulations and space considerations, especially during the summer season.

The idea to implement them in Brookings is also in consideration of the weather, said Seth Koch, co-owner and head brewer at Wooden Legs.

“The groups that are engaged downtown all had this idea of how do we bring some new seating space, some fun areas to go to Downtown Brookings,” he said. “And I love patios; I love the courtyards. But at the same time, we also live in South Dakota, and some of that just doesn’t work. It’s not conducive to the weather that serves us in South Dakota.”

Koch said the city actually approached the brewery about being a test case, and after some consideration, they agreed.

“When they came to us with the pilot idea, they said there’s no guarantees. That’s the nature of a pilot. And they also said there’s going to be a learning curve, but we’re willing to learn this together,” Koch said.

The city had done solid research on parklet programs around the country, and thought they might be beneficial to Downtown spots looking for expanded outdoor seating during the summer months.

“So we got excited about doing it,” Koch said. “And last year was a true pilot where we wanted to make sure we understood what the space was.

We wanted to work with the city to make sure we knew what was appropriate for the health and safety, obviously, patrons and cars and streets and some of the nitty-gritty of you know — what type of turning radius do we have to adhere to? How do we make sure that this is accommodating for all guests? How do we protect ourselves and the city against the wind storms and potential vandals?”

While focused on using the space responsibly, Koch said he found the parklet has an immediate draw for businesses: It de facto advertises itself.

“The local community members were really excited for it,” he said. “But we also had a lot of guests come in from around the area. And they said, hey, you guys were easy to find. This was fun to see. This is just something kind of new. And in July, when it’s just a beautiful day, to be able to sit out here. People said it’s just a nice place to sit and experience the city and the atmosphere.”

Americana icon Jason Isbell once wrote, in a song about a protagonist who’s stuck in his hometown:

As soon as the sun goes down
I find my way to the Mustang Lounge
And if you don’t sit facing the window
You could be in any town

Just the opposite for the parklet in front of Wooden Legs, located at 309 Fifth Street, especially in summer with the trees in full leaf and views of Main Avenue to one side and through to Pioneer Park on the other.

“When you sit inside of four walls, you get to experience the business, and that’s great,” Koch said. “But when you sit outside, you get to experience the city. I mean, we literally are blocks away from Main Street, and people just just gravitated towards it.”

Koch said Wooden Legs viewed the parklet pilot program as a success — and the city agreed. The council voted in March to make the program permanent. Applications for both a sidewalk cafe permit or a parklet permit are also available on the city’s website. Fees are $100 for a sidewalk cafe permit and $250 for a parklet permit.

Meanwhile, the parklet in front of Wooden Legs will return for a second summer soon.

“I think what you’ve seen in the pilot is going to be very, very similar to what you’re going to see this year,” Koch said. “And I would say this year is probably going to be — not trying to oversell it — but it is my hope that it’s going to be even more exciting than last year.”

Linehan is the Beacon’s managing editor and welcomes story tips and comments at Brookings Beacon@@gmail.com