Rupal Martinez, owner of Foodies Bystro, which is located in the Brewery Art Center, serves lunch to customers on Tuesday.
The Brewery Arts Center is continuing to offer its regular programs despite letting go of its professional staff, said acting director Gina Hill.
“What’s going on is that we’ve got a lot going on,” she said.
Chris Bayer, chairman of the art center’s board, announced via a post on the organization’s website on Aug. 28 “the Brewery Arts Center is currently operating without professional staff.”
No clarification was offered.
Rupal Martinez, owner of the Foodies Bystro, located inside the Brewery Arts Center, said the business has suffered in the last couple of months since the announcement.
“It just put us in a little bit of a bind,” said Martinez, who rents the space for the restaurant from the Brewery Arts Center. “People think we’re closed. We’re not.”
Martinez said the Bystro continues its regular food service, along with cooking classes, live music and services during events, rentals and shows. Hill said the Brewery Arts Center offers about four shows every weekend, including Celtic and Bluegrass shows going on now.
The Creepy Film Festival, a competition of local short-filmmakers, will be Oct. 25.
She said whether the professional staff will be replaced has not been determined.
“That’s not something we’re looking at doing right now,” she said. “We’re just focusing on everything we’ve got going on.”
Martinez and her husband, Chris, also have some special events coming up. The Holiday High Tea, which showcases gourmet sweets and sandwiches, will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons Nov. 13-Dec. 20.
“It’s just indulgence,” Martinez said.
Foodies Bystro is teaming up with the Brewery Arts Center for the Festival of Lights 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in the center’s grand ballroom. A seven-course Mediterranean/Asian meal will be served and live entertainment will be provided by CW Bayer and Starr Nixdorf. Cost is $50. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Brewery Arts Center.
For more information about the Brewery Arts Center, go to breweryarts.org or call 883-1976. For more information about Foodies Bystro, call 720-8011.
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