ALAMOSA — The Alamosa City Council has given the OK for a tavern liquor license to be granted to the new owner of the building that used to house Greco’s, a longtime tavern located at 513 State Ave. just south of Main Street. In approving the application, the council helped to pave the way for the new bar to be called “The 719”.
Joseph Serrano, the new owner and future operator of the bar, has plans for his business, as was obvious in the comprehensive presentation he made to the city council as part of his application, which also included a petition bearing 100 signatures of people in support of the business.
Serrano is not new to the beverage business. As he told the council, he has been in the business for 11 years, primarily in Las Vegas, and, most recently, working at Knee Knockers in Alamosa.
He plans to offer a venue for craft cocktails and mocktails, live music, and sports and spoke of his commitment to safe service. He also plans to work with the Rubi Slipper, the restaurant located across the street, to provide a limited carry-out menu, and to be part of First Fridays.
Serrano told the council he has received the Nevada equivalent of “TIPS” training. TIPS — which stands for Training for Intervention Procedures — is a widely recognized program that provides knowledge and skills necessary for preventing alcohol-related issues and is one that Serrano says he will require such training for all his employees.
Serrano further stated he is looking forward to restarting the long tradition of live music and sports at a location that has historically been a tavern, a sentiment echoed by Sara Dixon, who spoke in favor of the application.
Dixon said she was “impressed by the young man.” She spent a lot of time in Greco's and would love to see it come back and liven up the south side of town.
Eddie Valdez, owner of Knee Knockers, also spoke in favor of the application, noting that Serrano does a great job in his role at Knee Knockers and is good at implementing TIPS.
The members of Alamosa City Council voted in unanimous approval of granting Serrano’s license.
