Omaha Forums

Midtown Crossing wrote: Omaha, Neb. – Dan Matuszek, owner of Omaha original Brix – A Wine and

Spirits Experience, is announcing plans to open a second business in

Midtown Crossing, and this one, he said, is globally unprecedented.

Called Grane (a tribute to the staples of whiskey making with a

creative spelling twist), the comfortable after-work spot will blend a

growing affinity for whiskeys and craft cocktails with the most modern,

small portion whiskey dispensing/sampling technology – all wrapped in the

feel and décor of pre- and post-prohibition 1920’s and 30’s.

“We are the first in the world to create a brand around small

portion-size whiskey dispensing, married with a 1920’s and 1930’s style

craft cocktail menu,” said Matuszek, formerly with the E. & J. Gallo Winery

and a 28-year veteran of the wine and spirits industry.

WineEmotion™ USA, known for its line of hi-tech wine dispensing

systems, is collaborating with Matuszek to create the new

whiskey-dispensing “Bartender by WineEmotion™.” Like its wine-focused

counterpart, “Bartender” will enhance the customer experience by perfectly

measuring sample-sized pours of whiskeys at .5oz, 1oz, and 1.5oz levels and

dispensing it in its ideal form.

“We will have five, seven-bottle ‘Bartender’ units, so a total of 35

bottle positions for sampling with a SmartCard, plus plenty more whiskey

options behind the bar,” Matuszek explained. “This is a new business

venture for WineEmotion, which is granting Grane ‘global exclusive rights’

through May of 2015 to test this new dispensing product.”

Scheduled to open in early June, Grane will occupy a 2,500 sq. ft.

space in Midtown Crossing between Cantina Laredo and Saints Pub + Patio,

separate from Brix.

“The timing was right for someone to step in and create a unique

brand around the tremendous growth of whiskey here in Omaha, throughout the

U.S. and around the world. We felt we had an advantageous position given

our experience with dispensing wine and our strong relationship with

WineEmotion USA and its global parent company in Tuscany,

Italy.” (Matuszek’s Brix at Midtown Crossing was the first to install

WineEmotion equipment in the U.S. and currently has one of the largest

installations in North America.)

The team behind WineEmotion is equally excited about this new

whiskey-centric collaboration.

"When I first met with Dan in early 2013, I knew immediately his

business acumen and passion for Grane were the perfect traits to connect

with WineEmotion and its founder and CEO, Riccardo Gosi," said Roberto

Rinaldini, master distributor of WineEmotion in North America. "It was very

apparent from the start that the synergy between the two visionaries would

create something exciting."

Gosi commented, "Grane is a fantastic concept that sees our

dispensers partner, once again, with a great brand. I am flattered to work

with Dan. He is a professional businessman who really knows what to do. It

is for that reason WineEmotion provided the support for such an innovative

project, and I am convinced that this concept will grow rapidly."

In addition to its whiskeys and craft cocktails, Grane will offer a

selection of whiskey-inspired draught beers on tap, wine by the glass and a

small appetizer menu.

“There will also be a retail portion for off-sale whiskey,” Matuszek

said. “So, what guests taste and sample on the ‘Bartender’ dispensing

units, they can purchase on site.”

One year after opening Brix at Midtown Crossing, Matuszek is thrilled

to be bringing the Grane concept to the development.

“We love the energy; we love what’s going on in Midtown Omaha,” said

Matuszek. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Mutual of Omaha with the

Brix project and we look forward to bringing another Omaha-based concept to

Midtown Crossing, a great location to test our pilot store.”

WineEmotion™ is the creation of Riccardo Gosi, the internationally renowned creator of modern day wine dispensing systems that have transformed how wine is sold and served worldwide since 2003. WineEmotion is the product evolution of Gosi’s original unparalleled design, enhanced with modern appeal, functionality and uncompromising reliability.

Created to enhance the passion and experience of fine wine through research and technology, WineEmotion is the next generation of wine dispensing and preservation systems. Available in behind the bar and controlled-access customer use configurations, WineEmotion advances how wine is sold and served by:
• Eliminating spoilage
• Perfectly measuring pours
• Serving at precise temperatures
• Increasing selection of wines
• Driving wine sales as a marketing tool

With an ever growing line of products and customizable features, WineEmotion is the most advanced and reliable wine dispensing system for customers looking to actualize and represent their vision. Take the profitability of your wine program to the next level by upselling your customers to premium wine by the glass.

Coyote wrote: guess Brix uses it now:

Coyote wrote:I haven't been to the Brix at MC, but have been to the one at VP, but only looking for craft beers. It sound like if you have their SmartCard you don't even need a barkeep. I'm sure it has it's positives, but also some limiting negatives...

Dan Matuszek, owner of Omaha original Brix – A Wine and Spirits Experience, is announcing plans to open a second business in Midtown Crossing, and this one, he said, is globally unprecedented.

Called Grane (a tribute to the staples of whiskey making with a creative spelling twist), the comfortable after-work spot will blend a growing affinity for whiskeys and craft cocktails with the most modern, small portion whiskey dispensing/sampling technology – all wrapped in the feel and décor of pre- and post-prohibition 1920’s and 30’s.

Scheduled to open in early June, Grane will occupy a 2,500 sq. ft. space in Midtown Crossing between Cantina Laredo and Saints Pub + Patio, separate from Brix.

Brad wrote:Anyone know how the Brix closing will effect Grane?

Despite rumors surrounding Grane in concerns with the news stories in regards to Brix, Grane will remain open for business as usual.

iamjacobm wrote:For anyone with $26,500 looking to invest.

omaha79 wrote:As many of us have predicted for some time, Grane is closing at the end of the month...

http://www.omaha.com/living/following-b ... 25296.html

bbinks wrote:

omaha79 wrote:As many of us have predicted for some time, Grane is closing at the end of the month...

http://www.omaha.com/living/following-b ... 25296.html

Looks like he'll lose all personal assets now. Needs to so some jail time.

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

Coyote wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

Check out the brix thread.

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

Coyote wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

Check out the brix thread.

I did. Didn't see anything. Failed business and not able to pay bills. Is that a crime? It sounds like he tried to keep it going way past the point of no return.

Uffda wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

Coyote wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

Check out the brix thread.

I did. Didn't see anything. Failed business and not able to pay bills. Is that a crime? It sounds like he tried to keep it going way past the point of no return.

Including selling gift cards at Christmas time when he knew his business was going down.

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

Uffda wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

Coyote wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

Check out the brix thread.

I did. Didn't see anything. Failed business and not able to pay bills. Is that a crime? It sounds like he tried to keep it going way past the point of no return.

Including selling gift cards at Christmas time when he knew his business was going down.

Is that illegal? Sounds like a moral issue.

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

bbinks wrote:

omaha79 wrote:As many of us have predicted for some time, Grane is closing at the end of the month...

http://www.omaha.com/living/following-b ... 25296.html

Looks like he'll lose all personal assets now. Needs to so some jail time.

I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

bbinks wrote:

Omaha_corn_burner wrote:

bbinks wrote:

omaha79 wrote:As many of us have predicted for some time, Grane is closing at the end of the month...

http://www.omaha.com/living/following-b ... 25296.html

Looks like he'll lose all personal assets now. Needs to so some jail time.

I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?

The way I took the write up, is that the owner is over 100k behind in sales tax payments to the city. If it can be determined that those funds were used for other bills, the owner can be held personally liable.