Barra banks grant funds from Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials dished out some dinero to help a new downtown Mexican-themed restaurant succeed.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners authorized providing about $22,000 in local grant funds to help offset construction-related costs for proprietors of Barra. It's located at 142 Columbus Ave., across from the Sandusky State Theatre.A $300,000 project involves renovating the first floor, installing various equipment, purchasing furniture and fixtures along with hanging up new signage.The project should result in creating at least four new full-time-equivalent jobs.Sandusky economic development specialist Maria Muratori explained why the city supports this deal."The creation of Barra will provide a distinct, sit-down dining option for residents and visitors alike," Muratori said. "It will reawaken a formerly vacant building in the heart of the city's central business district, enhancing the liveliness of the entire block."Barra's owners also received a property tax break."The owners will pay the baseline taxes, or what they're currently paying, and they will pay taxes on 25 percent of the increase (based on the forthcoming improvements) in the assessed value over the next five years," Muratori said. "Providing a 75 percent tax abatement for the first five years of Barra's existence will enhance its cash flow and allow it to reinvest in the business, allowing Barra to thrive and expand."Breaking down BarraBarra is owned by spouses Julie Mesenburg, 1995 Edison High School graduate, and Gabe Zeller, a 2000 Sandusky High School graduate. Gregg Winnestaffer is a partner in Zeller's company receiving grant money on behalf of Barra."This has been a dream of ours for many years," Zeller said. "My goal was always to have something downtown. So when this building became available, I just thought our concept would fit well with this location."For most of 2017, contractors have rehabbed Barra's building — located in the former Zinc Brasserie storefront next to Mr. Smith's Coffeehouse — in a complete top-to-bottom overhaul at the 116-year-old structure.Barra, from Spanish to English, translates into "bar" — and should live up to its name through offering a diverse drink lineup. The initial menu features handcrafted cocktails, homemade bacon-infused bloody mary beverages along with beer and liquor selections.The restaurant, which should open in early June, also plans on serving food, ranging from:• Appetizers, ranging from made-from-scratch guacamole, salsas and queso dips• Tacos, differing from a dozen unique signature options, even one with locally caught perch wedged between a shell filled with enticing goodies• Other savory selections, such as a chorizo burger, walleye and rice bowls"We sincerely care about what we do and take pride in putting out a great product and having great service," Mesenburg said. "Every plate we put out, and every drink we make, we are excited about it, and we want our guests to be just as excited about it as well."Making sense of the dollars and centsA renovation project for Barra, a new Mexican-themed restaurant in downtown Sandusky, totals $300,000, broken down with:• $22,000: coming from a city grant• $278,000: coming from Barra's proprietorsSource: Sandusky economic development officeReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.The owners of Barra, Julie Mesenburg and Gabe Zeller, received about $22,000 in grant money from Sandusky officials to offset a $300,000 renovation at their new Mexican-themed restaurant, located at 142 Columbus Ave.