Ryan Cormier

The News Journal

The list of neighborhood concerns ahead of Constitution Yard Beer Garden coming to Wilmington's Riverfront were nearly as long as the beer lines when it finally opened in June.

Noise, traffic, public drunkenness, excessive lighting, parking and late night disturbances were among the worries of some nearby residents.

Four months later, as the beer garden along Christina River prepares to close for the season, the verdict is in from previously nervous neighbors: Beer me!

"They followed the rules established by the [Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner] and lived up to everything, so we're happy," says Chuck Fleming, who lives in the nearby Condos at Justison Landing and was vocal in the spring about his apprehensions. "They were good neighbors."

Fleming, along with some other building residents, were especially concerned about noise levels because of an ongoing battle between some residents and the late night, bass-heavy music coming from the nearby Firestone Roasting House.

"But we had no issues," Fleming says of Constitution Yards.

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Now all eyes are on the future of the beer garden, which received a two-year gathering license from the Office of Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control in late July following a marathon 3-1/2-hour public hearing. (The beer garden initially opened using a temporary liquor license ahead of the July 7 hearing.)

The 20,000-square-foot beer garden will definitely be back in 2017, eyeing an opening that could come as early as April, depending on outdoor temperatures, says Tim Lux, Constitution Yards Beer Garden's general manager.

Fleming isn't the only one happy with the way the season went.

Johnny Heil, one of the Connecticut-based Imian Partners, which runs the expansive watering hole, says the beer garden was a success for his company, regularly drawing more than 1,000 people on Fridays and Saturdays.

"We exceeded our expectations." says Heil, whose company also manages beer gardens and restaurants in cities such as Philadelphia, New York City and Stamford, Connecticut.

Added Heil: "There were some contentious moments early, but both sides came together to really make it work."

After a weekend of Halloween parties for both adults and children on Oct. 29 and 30, Constitution Yards will shut down for the season.

At least part of it will.

The beer garden's kitchen and bar will remain and stay open during the winter when the Riverfront Rink opens Nov. 25 for its third season of outdoor ice skating. And the hulking shipping containers on site will get heaters, allowing skaters to warm up and have a bite. They will offer the same food and drink menus from Constitution Yards with a few seasonal items thrown in.

Imian, which operates the beer garden for the non-profit Riverfront Development Corporation, hopes to install a 20-by-10 screen with projector that can show sports next summer, including fall Philadelphia Eagles games. The screen could be up in time for the winter switch-over to the Riverfront Rink, allowing holiday films to be shown alongside the skaters.

The waterfront hangout, which will host the Delaware State Cornhole Championship Saturday, should see a few other upgrades for next summer, including the addition of shaded areas.

After a long, hot summer of temperatures in the 90s, it became clear that something needed to be done.

"Lessons were learned," Heil says.

Amy Riley, who lives at the Condominiums at Justison Landing, which abuts the beer garden, shared some of Fleming's concerns in June, but was also excited about the possibilities.

After a summer of suds outside her front door, she is also happy with the final outcome. Riley stopped by Constitution Yards six times over the summer and says it has really added to the neighborhood.

"They said it was going to be family-friendly and it is. People brought their dogs and their kids would play in the sandbox area," says Riley, who brought young children one day, playing the yard games offered. "And spontaneous things happen like Wiffle ball games and soccer games. There's a group that does yoga out on the big lawn.

"I think they wanted to create a draw that would make people come out and play and they did just that."

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

UPCOMING CONSTITUTION YARDS BEER GARDEN EVENTS

Saturday: Delaware State Cornhole Championship (all day)

Saturday, Oct. 22: Halloween pet costume contest (2 p.m.-5 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 29: Halloween party for adults (6 p.m.-midnight) with happy hour drink prices for anyone in costume. A costume contest will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30: Halloween party for children (noon-9 p.m.) with trick-or-treat candy and a pumpkin patch. A caricature artist will be there 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.



