Rohan Naik Photo
Wilson explains his brewery concept at the management team meeting.
East Rockers have beer and policing on their minds.
At least those were the hot topics this week at the latest East Rock Community Management team meeting, held at the mActivity gym.
The agenda included the plans for a local brewery at 285 Nicoll St. and the rise of break-ins in the neighborhood.
East Rock Brewing Company owner Tim Wilson told about 10 neighbors present about his vision for the brewery, which he expects will open in April or May 2017. The brewery will take up 28,000 square feet, with 3,000 square feet, and around 100 seats, for a tasting room.
The brewery is unlikely to have an expansive food menu. Wilson noted that though he has studied beer in Europe, he “isn’t a cook by trade,” and that he did not want to compete with local bars and eateries in East Rock. Instead, he plans to share his passion for German beer and offer seasonal varieties and specialty releases.
Anticipating concerns of residents, Wilson was quick to assert that the brewery would not function as a rowdy bar. Rather, his vision entails the brewery as an educational experience, where patrons can learn about the different types of beer.
“This isn’t going to be a nighttime establishment where people are inebriated,” he said. “I really want it to be a family-friendly place. People should feel free to bring board games or a box of pizza.”
The brewery’s hours support Wilson’s statement; it will close at 9 or 10 p.m. on weekdays and close at 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
East Rock resident Saveena Dhall said she sees the quality of neighborhood as improving because of the brewery and pointed to the bars on State Street as a reason not to worry.
“I don’t see people in this area as people who are going to be rambunctious and get drunk and go crazy and break things, so I don’t see a difference between a brewery or a wine shop or the bars on State Street,” she said.
Similarly, top neighborhood cop Sgt. Shafiq Abdussabur said he believes the brewery will enhance the neighborhood. He said he is more concerned about a recent rash of car break-ins and window slashing.
Abdussabur advised neighbors against leaving car doors unlocked, displaying expensive items in their vehicles, or showing signs that they are not home.
He noted that a rise in crime during the summertime is not unusual, especially in East Rock, where many professionals live..
In addition to putting up fliers in the neighborhood and organizing more meetings, Abdussabur hopes to create more lasting change. Pointing to a sexual assault atop East Rock Park one month ago, he said that he hopes to install more cameras and add more officers in the neighborhood.
Borrowing an idea from a Beaver Hills neighborhood block watch, Abdussabur has instituted a WhatsApp chat, where residents can communicate safety concerns to police. Residents can download WhatsApp, a mobile messaging app, and then contact Abdussabur to add them into their neighborhood chat.
“The chat gives the community the ability to dictate to the police what they’re worried about,” he said. “It’s a great use of technology, and it helps us to see what the important issues are to the residents.”
Dhall, who experienced a break-in earlier this summer, welcome the news about the new WhatsApp chat.
She said neighbors are not as connected as they should be. And she would like to learn more about crime in the neighborhood.
“More is generally better,” she said, while scrolling through her phone. “I don’t think this kind of news is annoying. And if it is, I can always delete it.”