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* These guys just can’t catch a break…
The latest closing announcement for Norb Andy’s Tabarin has again raised the issue of parking availability in downtown Springfield.
Nate Gurnsey, one of the partners who took over the restaurant-bar in February, said Monday the loss of 18 parking spaces in an adjoining private lot owned by the Illinois Municipal League was behind the decision.
“A lot of them (customers) just gave up,” said Gurnsey. “They’d come by and see the lot was empty and figure nobody was here.”
Saturday is the final day of business for the well-known restaurant at 518 E. Capitol Ave., though the owner of the historic building said Monday he plans to reopen the restaurant himself after a series of ownership changes in recent years. […]
Gurnsey said the loss of parking spaces to a Capitol Avenue beautification project also hurt businesses along the corridor. The project begun just prior to the 2009 bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth extends from Fifth to 12th streets.
Norb’s was the place to hang back in the day. It declined when other bars and restaurants began catering to the Statehouse crowd. That bicentennial project closed the block several times.
Chicagoans are accustomed to walking more than a few feet after parking. Not so much in downtown Springfield, even though residents have no problem hiking across gigantic strip mall lots to shop and dine.
The Illinois Municipal League obviously has a right to close its parking lot to the bar’s customers, but it’s not very neighborly or municipally-minded of them, which is kinda ironic.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 8:19 am
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That’s a shame. Starting out, we loved their $1.50 PBR pint specials.
Comment by The Muse Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 8:26 am
It’s too bad. One of the baffling things about downtown at night is that there is no parking, but SO MANY empty parking spaces.
The Butternut Hut is able to pull off a daytime/nighttime deal with the adjacent lot. It’s a shame that it didn’t work out with IML/Norb’s.
Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 8:34 am
Not cool. They had the best chicken sandwich in town, hands down. Not to mention a unique bar/restaurant atmosphere.
Comment by Checkers Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 8:38 am
Pathetic. But given all the other management “issues” at the IML - I am not surprised at this short sighted decision. I loved Norbs.
Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 8:52 am
I have no sympathy for Norb Andy. They may be concerned with lack of parking and having to walk more than 30 feet to get in. That’s not a problem, so get real. A more real problem is getting up or down the stairs. I could park a half mile away and get to Norb Andys but I can’t go in because it is not accessible.
Comment by BMAN Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:00 am
Too bad they don’t have horses running around the bar; they might get a bailout.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:18 am
Maybe it’s the parking or maybe it’s the hipsters deciding they’d rather go to Obed’s instead of drinking in the basement of a morgue. Tough call.
Comment by Thunder Fred Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:23 am
This makes me very sad. I love the beer and the outdoor seating at Obed’s, but you just can’t beat the ambiance and live music at Norb Andy’s. I will definitely go again before they close.
The IML’s decision to close that parking lot also affected the Hoogland Center. I don’t know if having to pay to park in the garage has discouraged many people from seeing shows there, but it sure has inconvenienced parents and others dropping off at and picking up from rehearsals, as well as those (especially older folks) attending free community events.
Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:31 am
I have been a big fan of Norbs but I have to say that the parking excuse is a terrible excuse. I have never had any issues with parking at 5th and Capitol, 6th and Capitol can be a little harder to find a spot (little being the key word). This area of downtown is not that busy so I am not buying this whole parking excuse. At least the building owner is going to re-open it soon! For the time being RIP Norbs you will be missed!
Comment by RedCatRepublican Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:31 am
Fresh beer at Obed. Nice outdoor seating. Fantastic food. Fresh beer. Beer garden with bocce balls, across from cool old church. Across from Lincoln’s neighborhood.
Norb’s - nope. Handicapped inaccessible. Parking inaccessible. No windows. Outdoor tables an afterthought. Pub food. Nope.
Obed - hands down winner.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:49 am
Sorry Rich. Got a bit personal. I understand you deleting the comment, but it is outrageous that IML changed a longstanding agreement on the parking lot.
Comment by UISer Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:54 am
Rich, it’s funny that you mention the “I don’t wanna walk to a restaurant!” point. I’ve gotten that a lot over the years when family & friends come to visit. When it’s time to figure out where to eat, I always get the cold shoulder when I mention going somewhere downtown. I hear either “But you have to pay to park!” or “I don’t wanna park too far away!” lines. Oh well. At least D’Arcy’s has plenty of parking…
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 9:55 am
In the old days you could see many IML executive staff “parked” at the front table at Norbs…daily.
Comment by Casual Observer Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:02 am
Obed’s — I like it, good beer, but the food is far from fantastic, and the service is pretty bad. And this tall guy who looks like Montgomery Burns in a biker t-shirt keeps trying to shake my hand.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:23 am
I had my first Horseshoe at Norb’s. I thought they were the best at the time.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 10:53 am
Norb Andys in the day - Chiliburger horseshoe. To quote Homer Simpson: “Mmmmmmmmmm”
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:22 am
Among the dumbest things the city of Springfield has done, and the city has done many dumb things, is eliminate parking on Capitol Avenue. The way the “new and improved” street is designed, it looks like there are parking bays on either side of the street–decorated with “No Parking” signs. It’s not just Norb’s, parking for the library and other places has been reduced. Used to be able to park in front of the library, dash inside to return your books and be on your way.
Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.
Comment by Norb's Rawks Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 11:36 am
The IML’s rather uncivil treatment of Norb’s has been brought to the attention of Springfield’s new Mayor. Springfield, it should be noted, is a prominent member of the League. Also pointed out to the Mayor is the City’s dubious and arbitrary elimination of parking on Capitol Avenue. The street now has the appearance of a ghost town. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, part two.
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 12:23 pm
Great times at Norb Andy’s.
Good on the building owner for keeping it open. The IML should award him for being so ==municipally-minded==.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Obed’s has definitely impacted Norb’s. Especially in the summer.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 1:23 pm
Can Norb not use the parking ramp on 4th and Capitol after the workers go home?
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Jun 23, 15 @ 4:14 pm