Grane @ Midtown Crossing

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Brad
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Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Brad »

Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Brix Owner to Open Unprecedented, New Concept in Midtown Crossing
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.”
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Brad
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Brad »

Sounds like an awesome place. I can't wait to check it out!
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Coyote »

I had heard of WineEmotion until now, I guess Brix uses it now:
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.
- See more at: http://wineemotionusa.com/about_wine_di ... O0dMc.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Now making the perfect Whiskey? ...
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Brad
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Brad »

Coyote wrote: guess Brix uses it now:
I am fairly certain that Brix has been using it all along?
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Coyote »

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...
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by skinzfan23 »

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...
At MC, and maybe VP, they offered a Black Friday special where you could purchase any amount on the card and then they would double it. It worked really well when we had family from out of town. We just all pitched in and got to sample some good wines.
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Omaha_Gabe
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Re: Midtown Crossing

Post by Omaha_Gabe »

Grane
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.

http://midtowncrossing.com/news/brix-ow ... -crossing/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Midtown Crossing

Post by RNcyanide »

I do love me a good glass of whiskey, so I'm definitely going to have to check this spot out.
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.

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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by iamjacobm »

Sounds like an exciting concept. Seems like the retail space at MTC is filling up really quickly these past few months.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by iamjacobm »

Liquor license request in the agenda.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Coyote »

Opening pushed back just a little to mid-June.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by BRoss »

Just checked the place out and sampled three different whiskeys. It's an interesting place. There's a whole group of them that cost $50 or more for their smallest (which is around a shot).
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by BRoss »

I'm down here for the second time and have been looking over their whiskey selection. It's amazing some of the things they have here. Before today, I thought there were only three kinds of Johnnie Walker - Red, Black, and Blue. I found out that there is also Double Black, Gold Reserve, Platinum, and Blue King George - the latter being $100 for a 1oz sip. I tried the Platinum this time around and it was really good. Hopefully I'll get to try the King George here soon!
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Brad
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Brad »

There is also a Johnny Walker Green, but last I heard it was not available in Omaha.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by iamjacobm »

For anyone with $26,500 looking to invest.

Image
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Brad
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by Brad »

Anyone know how the Brix closing will effect Grane?
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schumatt
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by schumatt »

Brad wrote:Anyone know how the Brix closing will effect Grane?
According to a post on Grane's Facebook page, it won't:
Despite rumors surrounding Grane in concerns with the news stories in regards to Brix, Grane will remain open for business as usual.
Curious to see what other information comes out of the Brix closing... seems to be a strange situation.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by aaaron »

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

Image
I hope nobody here fell for this one!
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by omaha79 »

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
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by bbinks »

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.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Omaha_corn_burner »

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?
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Coyote »

Omaha_corn_burner wrote: I guess I missed that news story. What crime was committed by the owner?
Check out the brix thread.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Omaha_corn_burner »

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.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Uffda »

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. :shock:
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Omaha_corn_burner »

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. :shock:
Is that illegal? Sounds like a moral issue.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by bigredmed »

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. :shock:
Is that illegal? Sounds like a moral issue.
No, I think this smells of fraud. If I sell you a $100 gift card knowing that you are never going to be able to use it, I am a moral reprobate, but I am also stealing $100. That's called a felony.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by bbinks »

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.
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Re: Grane (CLOSING)

Post by Louie »

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.
Also if they can prove that he knew how dire the circumstances were and that he was closing soon, it makes selling gift cards a possible crime as well. And he was well aware as he attempted a blind sale last year of the Village Pointe location.
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Re: Grane @ Midtown Crossing

Post by nativeomahan »

I hope they have a strong back door, that will hit them in the butt on the way out. Or better yet, the sound of a jail cell clanging shut.
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