Thousands of Gilbert residents push back against Bottled Blonde location in downtown
Nearly 4,000 Gilbert residents are petitioning the town to stop plans for the popular nightclub Bottled Blonde to open a location in its downtown.
The restaurant by day and dance club by night would replace a historic cottage that had housed Bergies Coffee Roast House, which closed in December after 14 years. The coffee shop announced the landlords had sold the property to a private developer. The location is south of Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row and north of Joe's Real BBQ.
Scottsdale-based Evening Entertainment Group announced its plans to bring a two-story Bottled Blonde with a full-service restaurant, bar and beer garden to Gilbert. It would be the second location in metro Phoenix and is “custom crafted to fit into this bustling downtown community,” according to the June 21 announcement.
The development group plans to start construction in early 2024 and finish in 2025. The group has been looking for the “right space” in downtown Gilbert and is “honored to bring Bottled Blonde to the east Valley,” co-owner Les Corieri said in the statement.
“I can’t wait to invite everyone over for some pizza and pints, kicking back at the communal tables watching the big game and soaking in the good vibes,” Corieri said.
Dalke Design Group will draw up the blueprints for the building. It will work with “acoustic engineers to ensure the good times stay within the four walls,” the statement said.
According to a statement on the town’s website, the proposed plan would be allowed under the current zoning. The developers have submitted a pre-application to receive staff feedback.
Not family-friendly? Residents push back
After the announcement, residents pushed back online with their disapproval. Many said they didn’t think it fit the family-friendly atmosphere of Gilbert, and others were concerned the business would create noise nuisances.
One resident launched an online petition, requesting the town to reconsider the developers’ plan. As of Friday, it has amassed 3,920 signatures.
"If Bottled Blonde is allowed to open its doors in downtown Gilbert, it will fundamentally alter the character and atmosphere of our beloved town," the petition reads in part.
"Gilbert has prided itself on being a family-friendly community, attracting residents seeking a peaceful and secure environment to raise their families. Allowing a bar of this nature to establish itself in the heart of our town will send a message that Gilbert is willing to sacrifice its values and jeopardize the well-being of its residents for the sake of commercial gain. This precedent could lead to further encroachments on our community's integrity, potentially compromising our quality of life and driving families away."
Pushback for similar developments to downtown isn’t new. In 2015, residents also clashed with the town when Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row was announced.
A neighborhood meeting will be required before a formal submittal of the plan, according to a town spokesperson. At that point, the public will have a chance to voice concerns directly with the developers.
The design is also required to be reviewed by the town’s redevelopment commission during a public hearing.
The commission’s final decision can be appealed to the Town Council, which can “uphold, modify, or reverse design review related decisions of the redevelopment commission,” a town spokesperson wrote in an email to The Arizona Republic.
Resident pushback: Plans for downtown Gilbert development called Heritage North move forward after delays
A growing nightlife scene in Heritage District
The redevelopment of Gilbert’s Heritage District, what the town calls its downtown, has been a pointed effort since the council adopted its redevelopment plan in 2018.
The plan outlines short- and long-term goals over a 10-year period.
The once-quiet strip of land has turned into a bustling, go-to entertainment district.
Over the years, the town has purchased vacant parcels to encourage businesses to come to its downtown. In January 2022, the council approved a zoning change for the north anchor of the Heritage District and is working to develop plans for the south anchor.
“Establishments like (Bottled Blonde) add to the 30+ existing diverse dining and entertainment opportunities that cater to the wide demographic of visitors to the Heritage District,” a town spokesperson wrote in an email to The Republic.
Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa and Gilbert and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on Twitter @maritzacdom.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert residents push back on Bottled Blonde for Heritage District
