Barley House

Looong ways off. The purchase isn't even finalized. Was, technically still may be, Spy Bar. Good riddance. Irish pub to replace notorious Spy Bar in Warehouse District http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/06/michelle_jarboe_a_businessman.html Posted by Michelle Jarboe June 13, 2008 17:12PM A businessman plans to bring an Irish pub to the Warehouse District, replacing the notorious Spy Bar club on West Sixth Street. Bobby George, president of the George Group of Lakewood, has a contract to buy the downtown Cort Shoe Building that housed the controversial nightspot. He hopes to lease part of a nearby parking lot and the back of the Bolton Pratt building on West Fourth Street to make enough room for a new tenant: the Barley House pub and restaurant. The restaurant, with outdoor seating and a basement lounge, will be modeled on Akron's popular Barley House, one of many eateries launched or owned by George's family. His father, Tony, is a prominent businessman who helped create sports bar chain Slam Jams and the Harry Buffalo bars, which serve buffalo meat. The George Group's other divisions include real estate investments and a sports marketing business that works with large corporations and professional athletes. Barley House will be Bobby George's first foray into the Warehouse District, but it might not be the last. The 27-year-old developer is pursuing the Liberty Textile Building, a rare vacant entertainment district property owned by James Kassouf. "We want to do the right thing for Cleveland," George said, "and the right thing is to develop and grow." Some downtown boosters are relieved to see Spy Bar giving way to a new business. The club, once a posh Cleveland hot spot, picked up a reputation as a hub for unruly customers and underage drinkers. Last July, a shooting outside the club left one man dead and three others wounded. For the past six months or so, the ba