Town Pump/Centaur Bar owner envisions ‘restaurant’s row’ downtown

Sean Harrington, owner of the Town Pump Tavern downtown and the new Centaur Bar across the street, says he hopes the two bars and planned lofts will create a “Bourbon Street or restaurant’s row” environment where people can walk to multiple spots without having to drive.

Harrington says the restaurants will not compete because they have their own distinctive atmospheres; rather, they will compliment one another by creating more foot traffic in the area.

Centaur opened this summer on the bottom two floors of the Iodent Building, which he recently purchased. He plans six stories of lofts for the top floors.

He says the lofts, which he expects to be completed by spring, will bring more residents to the area to patronize the businesses.

Because the building has a small footprint, Harrington had to build up. Centaur Bar, with its French deco décor, consists of two stories, each with bars, and a mezzanine level with lounge couches offering views of the bottom floor and the cityscape.

Source: Sean Harrington, owner