Pittsburgh Business Times
Jayson plans sports bar in the Strip
Donzi's owner will also open club at Woodson's
Tim Schooley
November 10, 2000

STRIP DISTRICT -- Tom Jayson had to look no farther than across a parking lot to find the location for his latest venture.

Mr. Jayson has signed a lease to open a new sports bar on Smallman Street within sight of his Donzi's on the Boardwalk.

Anthony Dolan, a principal with Walnut Capital Partners, confirmed a 10,000-square-foot bar will be a tenant in the developer's 1400 Smallman building, which is now under construction on the site of the former Jarrell & Rhea wholesale fish facility next to Wholey's warehouse.

"I was in agreement with Tom that this type of concept was not currently in the Strip District and wasn't in the Pittsburgh Downtown area," said Mr. Dolan.

Mr. Jayson's years of experience in operating successful clubs in the city was a major factor in Walnut Capital's decision to seek Mr. Jayson's involvement in the development.

"Tom's one of the more successful and consistent restaurant and nightclub owners in the city," said Mr. Dolan. "He has a proven track record."

Mr. Jayson, who was unavailable for comment, is also currently working on a new 18,000-square-foot nightclub called Rock Jungle at Station Square, on the site of the former Woodson's All-Star Grille.

Mr. Dolan said the new Strip District sports bar was shooting for an opening in February or March.

Mr. Dolan said the new establishment will occupy about one-third of the building now under construction and is tentatively named Sports Rock.

Despite its standing as a major league sports town, Pittsburgh has a dearth of fully equipped sports bars, Mr. Dolan believes. The bar and restaurant will feature large-screen TVs and will be set up to enable large groups of people to watch their favorite games together.

Mr. Dolan described the Sports Jungle concept as having the "look and feel of a miniature Dave & Buster's but geared more toward adults."

The new sports bar is Walnut Capital's second tenant in the 30,000-square-footdevelopment, their first entertainment project.

Mr. Jayson's new establishment will join Lidia's restaurant -- a new eatery by James Beard award-winning chef and nationally syndicated cooking TV show host Lidia Bastianich.

Lidia's is slated for a March opening. David Wagner, the business manager for Lidia's Restaurant Group LP, was optimistic about the new sports bar.

"What they're describing is going to be a nice compliment to what we do," said Mr. Wager. "Anything that gives people another reason to come down to your development is all the better."

While he has been operating clubs in the Pittsburgh market for more than 20 years, Mr. Jayson is perhaps best known as owner of Chauncey's in Station Square and Donzi's in the Strip District, both of which are among the most popular nightclubs in the city.

Herky Pollock, an executive vice president for CB Richard Ellis/Pittsburgh who served as a co-broker on the project, said that Mr. Jayson's timing for the new sports bar was right, noting the city's two new stadiums rising on the North Side as well as the new sports facility under construction at the University of Pittsburgh.

"He's been entertaining consumers in Pittsburgh for over 20 years," said Mr. Pollock. "Given that experience, he certainly knows the needs of the marketplace. His new concept will certainly address those needs."

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