A few weeks ago we were just about to write off the long-dormant Blue Bear Tavern, the re-imagining of Doc Watson’s Pub by Vesper Hospitality Investments, LLC that we mentioned way back in July of last year. Work there had ceased for months and trash, refuse and phone books were piling up in its vestibule. But then something funny happened. Work resumed! Now Naked Philly is reporting that the Vesper peeps are saying that renovations are just about complete, and they’ll have the bar ready to open by Labor Day. Now we’re left wondering about the future prospects of Frohmans Wursthaus, the beer and brats joint that Vesper was working on with Jose Garces at the site of the former Letto Deli on 13th Street.
Vesper, as you may recall, is a partnership between restaurant vets Bob DeBolt and Greg Dodge, that so far has brought us the Midtown Village pizza spot Zavino and at one time had partnered with Garces to bring Frohmans to life.
That project, which was reportedly on schedule to open last fall, has been stalled pretty much since it was announced last year. And in recent weeks Vesper has removed mentions of it from its website. We reached out to Vesper to try and get an answer, but the number listed on its website was out of service. Garces was unavailable when we tried to follow up with him.
Blue Bears Attack in Philadelphia! [Naked Philly]
Earlier: Renovations Begin on Former Dr. Watson’s Pub
Related: Jose Garces is Coming to Midtown Village
