Chapter House fire last night/this morning

[dag14]

Multi-building fire on Stewart Avenue may be the end of the Chapter House.  No injuries, thank goodness.
 
Ithaca Journal

[David Harding]

Extensive coverage in the Ithaca Voice, too.
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/fire-strikes-structure-ithacas-chapter-house/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/update-30-cornell-students-affected-ithaca-fire-taken-barton-hall/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/fire-strikes-structure-ithacas-chapter-house/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/smoke-fire-chapter-house-visible-ithaca-college/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/cornell-grad-student-offers-house-displaced-chapter-house-blaze/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/ithaca-officials-begin-evaluate-extent-damage-chapter-house/
http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/brief-history-chapter-house-collegetowns-oldest-bar/

[jtwcornell91]

I'm still in denial about this, so in the meantime I'll ask: wasn't there a fire at the Chapter House about 20 years ago?  Am I remembering correctly?

[RichH]

I'm still in denial about this, so in the meantime I'll ask: wasn't there a fire at the Chapter House about 20 years ago?  Am I remembering correctly?

The only other fire mentioned in the histories I've read was a kitchen grease fire in 1960 where the bar sustained smoke damage. In the late 90s, they did some minor remodeling as they pulled out the brewing tanks and the grilled cheese counter, which opened up the back "hallway" part for the pool tables, dart boards & music stage. They also replaced and expanded the tap system, IIRC.


A couple of eLF regulars got into this piece: http://cornellsun.com/blog/2015/04/15/alumni-mourn-loss-of-decades-old-ithaca-establishment/

Fundraisers are starting up: http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2015/04/14/chapter-house-memories/25787649/

And while I haven't seen anything from Jon (the owner), a current bartender was reached for comment: http://ithacavoice.com/2015/04/chapter-house-bartender-sympathies-lost-homes/

[billhoward]

With the Chapter House blaze, the Collegetown bar is a further endangered species. Protective legislation is needed.

[RatushnyFan]

Wow, the Chapter House, Palms, Johnny O's, Dino'........did I hear that Pep sold his share of Dunbar's?  And Lee long ago.  Rulloff's has reopened I guess, is it any good?  What is left?  :-(

So many memories, so many hours, so many dollars spent!

[RichH]

Wow, the Chapter House, Palms, Johnny O's, Dino'........did I hear that Pep sold his share of Dunbar's?  And Lee long ago.  Rulloff's has reopened I guess, is it any good?  What is left?  :-(

So many memories, so many hours, so many dollars spent!

I've been meaning to put together a list.

Current Collegetown spots with a bar:

Collegetown Bagels
New-lloff's
Stella's
The Nines
Pixel (recently tore out their taps & just have cheap swill in bottles)
Dunbar's
Level B (more of a dance club)
Jack's Grill (burger place added a sports bar side)
Loco Cantina (dive in the old ABC Cafe across the side alley from Chapter House)

I'm sure somebody local will suggest corrections.

RIP:
Palms
Dino's
Johnny's
Johnny O's
The Chariot
The Connection/Bear Den (College Ave)
Little Joe's (more restaurant than bar)

[George64]

There's still some hope for the Chapter House.

[David Harding]

There's still some hope for the Chapter House.

There's no mention of it in Journal, but the article was probably triggered by the item on Tuesday (7/14) night's agenda for the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission.  The  Chapter House is in the East Hill Historic Preservation District, so it would have to be rebuilt in keeping with the original style.

[RichH]

Updating this list with the news that both Pixel and Stella's have closed for good this summer.

Current Collegetown spots with a bar:
Collegetown Bagels
Resurrected Rulloff's
The Nines
Dunbar's
Level B
Jack's Grill
Loco Cantina


RIP:
Palms
Dino's
Johnny's
Johnny O's
The Chariot
The Connection/Bear Den (College Ave)
Little Joe's
Pixel
Stella's

[jtwcornell91]

Updating this list with the news that both Pixel and Stella's have closed for good this summer.

Current Collegetown spots with a bar:
Collegetown Bagels
Resurrected Rulloff's
The Nines
Dunbar's
Level B
Jack's Grill
Loco Cantina


RIP:
Palms
Dino's
Johnny's
Johnny O's
The Chariot
The Connection/Bear Den (College Ave)
Little Joe's
Pixel
Stella's

Are The Greek House and The Souvlaki House too long gone to warrant an RIP?

[Trotsky]

Did TSH have a bar?

[dag14]

No bar, just beer and bad wine on the menu.  And Peter and the S House are still going strong.

[David Harding]

There's still some hope for the Chapter House.

There's no mention of it in Journal, but the article was probably triggered by the item on Tuesday (7/14) night's agenda for the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission.  The  Chapter House is in the East Hill Historic Preservation District, so it would have to be rebuilt in keeping with the original style.

Now The Ithaca Voice reports that the plan is to rebuild to match photos from about 1905.  The exterior walls left standing are too far gone to be salvaged.  The plan is to have the Chapter House return to the ground floor and student housing on the three floors above, all opening by August 2016.  "Mr. John Hoey, the prior long-term Lessee and owner of the rights to the Chapter House Pub name," will return

[RichH]

The plan is to have the Chapter House return to the ground floor and student housing on the three floors above, all opening by August 2016.  "Mr. John Hoey, the prior long-term Lessee and owner of the rights to the Chapter House Pub name," will return

I'm glad it has been granted eligibility, even if it has to take a red shirt year.

I for one, am excited for my first visit to The Phoenix House.