Hear the inspiring story of one Goodyear couple who took their love of wine and turned it into the city’s soon-to-be first ever wine bar in the heart of Goodyear’s new downtown. Plus, learn how the city uses the retail survey to attract the kinds of restaurants our residents want.
Hear the inspiring story of one Goodyear couple who took their love of wine and turned it into the city’s soon-to-be first ever wine bar in the heart of Goodyear’s new downtown. Plus, learn how the city uses the retail survey to attract the kinds of restaurants our residents want.
Coming up on this episode of Growing Goodyear.
Jack Vozar:The sense of pride of being part of this and seeing the vision that the city of Goodyear is bringing to this GSQ. I mean, it's spectacular. We're actually proud to be, you know, one of the first people in here, and we're trying to be the first ones open. And so it's going to be this whole cool little community over here. And so there's just going to be so much going on. It's just we're like really excited to be a part of it.
Host Jordan Byrd:And welcome into the Growing Goodyear podcast. I'm Jordan Byrd.
Host Tammy Vo:And hi everyone. I'm Tammy Vo.
Host Jordan Byrd:You know, Tammy, one thing that we know about our residents, there are many things we know about our residents. But one thing is abundantly clear. They love and support the restaurants that are here in our city.
Host Tammy Vo:And we have such an exciting job, I must say here, Jordan at the city where we get to help tell that story. When we hear about a new restaurant or a new business that's getting ready to open, we are so excited to let our residents know because we know what the reaction is going to be. They're going to be totally stoked.
Host Jordan Byrd:And there really is a sense of pride. I think with our Goodyear residents where not only do they just get excited about a new restaurant, a new bar, a new business coming to the city, but they support it in a way that more often than not makes it some of the highest performing in those markets, in the valley or in the West Valley businesses and restaurants do very good here in Goodyear when they do open up.
Host Tammy Vo:Goodyear is the place to be and we're so excited to give you the latest and greatest updates today to the first wine bar coming to Goodyear in a matter of months.
Host Jordan Byrd:And I know that probably caught a lot of people's attention the first wine bar in Goodyear and it's coming to GSQ the heart, the vibrant downtown of Goodyear. So we'll be hearing from one of their owners, Bacchus winebar. And then we're going to catch up with members of our economic development team who will add some insight into the retail survey that our residents get to vote on every other year, which really tells the city what you our residents want in their own backyard, but first before we get to all of that it's time now for a special wine themed Fast Five with Bacchus owner, Jack Vozar.
Host Tammy Vo:Question one. Are you a red or white guy?
Jack Vozar:Red.
Host Tammy Vo:Second question. What is your favorite varietals?
Jack Vozar:I would say, you know, your your traditional Tempranillo grape.
Host Tammy Vo:Where's the most memorable place you've been where you have enjoyed a glass of wine?
Jack Vozar:I would have to say we went to the Jarvis estate in their cave. And it's the only completely underground winery in like the world.
Host Tammy Vo:So you pour a glass of wine to swirl or not to swirl?
Jack Vozar:Oh, swirl, absolutely.
Host Tammy Vo:You pop open an awesome bottle, to share or not to share?
Jack Vozar:Oh, you always got to share. Well, let me back up. It all depends who's in the room, and how many bottles you've had before that.
Host Jordan Byrd:We're talking now with Jack Vozar, who is the
Host Tammy Vo:I like that. owner along with his wife, Kathleen of Bacchus Wine Bar, a new unique locally owned establishment that is coming right here to Goodyear and specifically to GSQ the vibrant downtown of Goodyear. Jack, first of all, thank you so much for taking the time and joining us here on the Growing Goodyear podcast.
Jack Vozar:Absolutely. Thanks for having me.
Host Jordan Byrd:You are a Goodyear resident. How long have you been here in Goodyear?
Jack Vozar:Four years, just celebrated four years here, beginning of March, I moved here right in the beginning of the pandemic and spent the first year indoors and but now we absolutely love it here.
Host Jordan Byrd:When you and your wife moved to Goodyear, what was it about this area of the west valley, of Goodyear where you guys decided, hey, we need to open up our own wine bar in this part of town?
Jack Vozar:As soon as we moved here, we moved here from Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. And the first thing we did because we are wine lovers is we googled, you know, nearest wine bar. And what popped up was 45 minutes to an hour away whether it was in Scottsdale, whether it was in downtown Phoenix, and it just thought, wow, there isn't anything here to fulfill that need and we're like, Yeah, let's do this. Let's open up a wine bar, so I don't have to drive as far.
Host Tammy Vo:Jack. I mean, this is something that a lot of people probably think or dream about. Boy, it'd be really cool to open my own wine bar. But to actually put that into action to where, hey, we are now months out just a few months from the opening of your wine bar. What is that like for you?
Jack Vozar:Exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. It's been a long road to get to this point. We were originally going to do this in St. Petersburg, Florida. But then I was recruited out here for my real day job. But this has always been a dream of ours. And it's just the thing that we noticed the most is that you think you have a lot of time, you know the building itself here and the GSQ it seemed like oh my gosh, February is months and months and months away till they're gonna deliver that building to us. And we actually have to finish it and get in there and open up this business, while February 19 came real quick. And so now that we're really staring down the barrel of finishing up this project it is it's both like, it keeps you up at night, super excited about oh my gosh, I can't believe we're gonna do this, and we're going to be successful. And people are going to love this, because we're so proud of it. And then on the other side of it is just absolutely terrifying. It's like, oh, my gosh, you know, this is going to be this is going to be something else and we're going to be busy but but busy in a good way, you know, you just kind of put your blinders on and keep moving forward. But I know how the city is engaged in this project. It's, that's kind of like the big pressure release valve, if you will, because knowing that this is just so backed by the city and the city is so invested in this it's gonna be totally doable.
Host Tammy Vo:And I see how it could be nerve racking for you. Because I mean, you and your wife, you're not restaurantuers, you are not bar owners, your sort of day job that you talked about, is totally different. Yeah. So this is truly a new venture. And it's a risk in a sense.
Jack Vozar:Oh, yeah, absolutely. You know, it's, it's a big risk. And, I mean, we both grew up in the restaurant business, I managed the restaurant while I was younger, and then, you know, basically transition into healthcare. It's a long, circuitous route, how I got there, but being a startup business and not being a chain and just being you know, basically a mom or pop company, there's always going to be the risk, there's going to be personal guarantees. But as I said, you know, it's about putting those blinders on. And you do right by the customers you do right by you know, the people that you serve, and it's going to all come together.
Host Jordan Byrd:Before we go any further I want to just take a step back to Bacchus itself because I mean, right off the intro here, there's probably a lot of our listeners that ears got perked up with a Goodyear wine bar. Explain a little bit to our listeners, what will Bacchus wine bar be?
Jack Vozar:I always get asked, well, what is Bacchus mean? And it's the Greek god of wine and vegetation, there's a couple of things that we've always done our entire life. And one thing I've been doing is collecting all kinds of different artifacts. So whether it's sports artifacts, or memorabilia, or historical documents or artwork, things like that, in building the wine bar, like, you know, we got to find a place to put all this stuff at. And in addition to, you know, serving really, really great wine. So I want people to really enjoy great wine there. But I also want them to be able to have really cool conversations about you know, some of the stuff that they're going to see in here, I've been joking around. And like my new tagline is, it's the Smithsonian Institute meets the Hard Rock Cafe, that's kind of the concept, because I have I have rock and roll memorabilia, like I said, I have historical documents. So when people come in, they'll be able to have really good wine, they're going to be able to have a really good small plate of food. And then they're going to be able to look at some of the stuff on the walls and some of the furniture and you know, Hey, what's that? Or what is that and you know, everything's gonna have a story behind it. So there's there is some thoughtfulness behind that.
Host Tammy Vo:And let's talk about the wine. I think what's really cool about it is that you have these dispensers, which I don't know if I'm even calling that the correct by the correct terminology. But, you know, we're used to people, you know, servers coming and filling your glass of wine, but this is truly a different concept. Explain how that works.
Jack Vozar:That's the other part the the big draw, it was something that drew us to A, I'll give him a plug Genuine in downtown Phoenix, they've been just absolutely fantastic and supportive through this whole process. They're called wine motion dispensing machines, and it's not wine on tap, it's not wine out of a barrel, that's a very common misconception with the machine will have three machines, each machine will have eight bottles of wine, you put a card in that you get when you check in. And you could pick your own, pour a one ounce, a three ounce, a five ounce, you could really program it any way you want to. And so a couple of reasons why we decided to go this route, you could go at your own pace, 24 different wines to pick from. And if you'd like white, you could try some of the whites, you know, a little one ounce splash here, a little one ounce splash there, and kind of figure out what you like, committed to entire glass Exactly. Or you don't have to spend $25 on a three flight tasting, right? It's basically a 24 flight, tasting a buck apiece, you could try whatever you like, and then drink because that's, that's always been my philosophy. Somebody told me that a long time ago, you know, drink what you like, but try everything. And some people sometimes get pigeonholed into well, I'm gonna take the red here and I'm going to take this. Where in sitting in Genuine, I was observing people, and they would go down the line and literally try everything and then pick their glass that they liked. So that's one thing that I just absolutely love about it is the variety and you could change them out. The other thing just from from a business perspective, or a business sense is it keeps your wine fresher. So you don't have to worry about wine going bad if it's just going to sit on the shelf, if you open a bottle up that somebody just wants a glass of or a splash of and also controls the pours. So rather than employee error in over pours, it very much controlled exactly how much wine is going to come out, which is really better for everybody. And in addition to the machines, we're gonna have like a captain's list. So we'll have you know the Jarvis's of the world and the silver oaks and you know, some Bordeaux's and things like that, where, you know, if you just want to come in and just get some from the captain's list, we'll have that as well. You know, the machines will be really for the people that are new into wine, getting into wine will have some really good stuff in there too, for the people that have been doing wine for a long time. But we just really love the machines, from just experience standpoint.
Host Jordan Byrd:It sounds like Bacchus is going to be a place for everyone, someone even like myself, who may have not that much of a history with wine, but can really spread my wings a little bit and try some new and different things.
Jack Vozar:Yeah absolutley. And that's what we want, you know, we want people to start enjoying wine and not be afraid of the wine experience. There's always this perception, you know, it's this snooty, you know, universe that people live in and, you know, hold their nose up to their pinkies Oh, my gosh, if you do this wrong, or you do this, right, or Yeah, you don't swirl your wine, or your swirl of white wine or whatever that looks like. And we don't want that, you know, we want anybody of, you know, all walks of life to come in and just be part of the fun.
Host Tammy Vo:What about just from the community perspective, you know, Jordan had mentioned earlier that we do hear from a lot of people who live in Goodyear, like I want local, I don't want to see chains. And it's really nice to see the city evolving in that direction, where we're growing so quickly. And along with that growth comes the evolution of the mom and pops, so to speak, which you're creating, does it feel right?
Jack Vozar:Absolutely. Just from what I've been noticing, you know, there's so many choices out there, there's so many different places, you could go for a drink, or you could go for a burger or go for a sandwich. And you know, what I've always noticed and I've lived in different cities across this country is that what really differentiates people differentiates businesses, like I said, on in healthcare differentiates healthcare organizations, is that personalized one on one service that you give to people, and the mom and pop organization is coming back, because it really lends itself to that personalized one on one service where, you know, to sound corny, where everybody knows your name, where you walk in, and there's no better feeling, I think, then going into your local pub or watering hole. And before you even sit down, they have your drink on the bar. And it's hard to get that service. Because with so many choices, we searched out the mom and pops in this area and found them and where we go to and you really get that personalized service. And you could develop great friendships and, you know, personal relationships with people because they had this vested interest in being successful. And the only way they do that, because of all the choices is providing great service and being you know, very personable with you. So, you know, to answer your question, I think absolutely. You know, I think generally speaking in the industry as a whole, you know, the mom and pops are making his comeback, and I applaud the city of Goodyear and Globe for wanting that and being selective and wanting that type of businesses in this area.
Host Jordan Byrd:And I think what is going to be so amazing for our residents, is that you can come to GSQ and you can hit up multiple spots in one trip, you can have a nice white tablecloth dinner at High Tide seafood, and then have a nightcap at Bacchus wine bar after the fact. Yeah, what does that mean to you guys at Bacchus you and your wife, Kathleen, of being a part of this community here centralized at GSQ.
Jack Vozar:There's nothing like it. We're super excited. And we're actually proud to be, you know, one of the first people in here and we're trying to be the first ones open. And so just you know, that sense of pride of being part of this and seeing the vision that the city of Goodyear is bringing to this GSQ I mean, it's spectacular and really capitalizing on what's around us as well. I mean, like you said, you know, we could be the nightcap we can also be the starter for the Harkins theater across the street, which happens to be the busiest Harkins in the entire country. Next to us we have The Stillery and across we have you know, there's going to be a nail place and there's going to be other little retail shops and when someone's waiting for the for the wives nails to get done. They're going to come over to Bacchus and so it's going to be this whole cool little community over here and you have the City Hall position, you have the the amphitheater type setup. And so there's just going to be so much going on. It's just we're like really excited to be a part of it.
Host Tammy Vo:So before we go, Jack, give us just kind of the rundown on what everyone wants to know so projected opening date is?
Jack Vozar:We are looking to mid summer, probably mid July.
Host Tammy Vo:You're right in the heart of GSQ which is just north of McDowell a little bit west of 150 Drive right in the heart of the Goodyear's future downtown.
Jack Vozar:Correct. We are super stoked about it. Bacchus winebar Yes. And our tag is Bacchus wine and debauchery might be a little debauchery going on. There might be that's what that's what we want people to see that sign and, boy, there must be something interesting going on in there.
Host Tammy Vo:Well, cheers to you and your wife. Salud. And congratulations on really what was some of us often talk about but don't actually execute, which is really truly living your dream. So congratulations to both of you.
Jack Vozar:Thank you so much. And thanks for having me here today. I really appreciate it.
Host Jordan Byrd:Well, Tammy what an amazing story from Jack about him and his wife Kathleen, who found a void found something that the city didn't have and decided we'll do something about it we'll bring the first wine bar to the city of Goodyear.
Host Tammy Vo:And you know what else, he's I think a true entrepreneurs because so many of us are just drinking wine at home as a hobby, but he's doing it as a profession and he's gonna get paid for it. So gosh, hats off to Jack and his wife.
Host Jordan Byrd:Professional wine drinker man that would look good on a business card wouldn't it? Absolutely. Well, that is just one part of what restaurants and businesses in Goodyear and how they come to the city of Goodyear with a little bit more information about how the city of Goodyear attracts the businesses and restaurants that our residents want. We're now going to catch up with members of the economic development team. And we're now talking with Joe Stewart, who is the Business Development Manager with the city of Goodyear's economic development team. Joe, thank you so much for taking some time. And joining us on a topic that I know is near and dear to a lot of our residents. And that is restaurants. So first of all, thank you for joining us here on the Growing Goodyear podcast.
Joe Stewart:Thanks, Jordan. Glad to be here.
Host Jordan Byrd:So for our residents who may hear the term economic development and business development manager, try to boil that down a little bit. What does that actually look like in terms of attracting the types of restaurants and businesses that residents here in Goodyear like?
Joe Stewart:Our role is really to tell the Goodyear story to the development community, developers, brokers, landowners, and then tenants themselves being that we don't own a lot of property in Goodyear, we don't have really oversight of you know whether a business absolutely decides to come here, but we certainly can market good year to those folks. So we often provide that private development community with housing information, growth patterns, we also provide them with what's going on in the community who else is coming in, and a lot of people have heard about Buc-ee's coming. Well, Buc-ee's is awesome, and it's great, and everyone's really excited about it. But that also means that there's a lot of new traffic, there'll be a lot of new people that are coming to that intersection. So what does that mean? Well, that means potentially more customers for your business in that area. But yeah, we do a ton of outreach, I think I had over 300 outreaches last year to restaurants. That's sort of my job in a nutshell, is representative for the city to be able to attract restaurants here.
Host Jordan Byrd:Well, and I think that's one of the misconceptions that residents may have at times about restaurants or business growth within Goodyear is that, well, hey, we want such and such restaurant, why doesn't the city just make it happen? But it really sounds like there is a process and especially with the city not owning the land that a lot of these places are looking at or where they're going, you can be there to help. But ultimately, it sounds like it's the final decision of the restaurant itself or the business itself to make that final decision.
Joe Stewart:That's absolutely right. I mean, a I mean, it's a private business, they have to make money, right. And they, they don't want to open a store two miles from another location, because they don't want to steal business from that store. And they don't want to maybe go in a location that they're worried they're not going to have enough people around. So what we try to do is just make the case for why it's a good place to do business. But ultimately, it's up to a landowner or center owner or shops owner to make a deal with a private business, and we hope that they choose Goodyear, we're confident that we make a good case. But yeah, it is a misconception that the city ultimately, we can't build a Trader Joe's from scratch, obviously, but we would love to obviously, but it's the rules don't quite work that way from economic development standpoint.
Host Jordan Byrd:What are some of the characteristics that you guys are looking for when trying to attract restaurants? Businesses?
Joe Stewart:Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we combed through the results of the Goodyear retail survey pretty closely, but a lot of folks you know, they put down oh, I want In and Out or you know, I want Culinary Dropout and they name it by name, but a lot of folks answered steakhouse or seafood restaurant or fine dining or white tablecloth, it may not appear on the retail survey, but something like High Tide or The Stillery, which is coming in a few months here is something that the residents would absolutely want. I think that some of the main characteristics is full service, sit down dining, maybe not all drive throughs or all chains. A lot of folks really want local Arizona based concepts. What is interesting in the market right now is we have so much interest from restaurant and retail, they love the market. The trade area is great, the demographics are great, the household incomes are great. We're such a new community, we don't have buildings to put them. So a lot of the ground up construction or the purchase of land is maybe coming from brands that you know have a more national presence. So I mean, we have a really good relationship thankfully with our local development partners, Globe Corp and RED Development who are doing the development around GSQ. And they're actually doing buildings where these kinds of tenants these kinds of fine dining, restaurants can go in and use. We're going to see that right outside of City Hall.
Host Jordan Byrd:So the announcement of new restaurants seems to be coming fast and furious over the last year. We had a busy January. It's even gone even before that as well, where it really seems like the announcements that economic development is making. If you drive through the city now you see some of these new buildings being put up as well. So with so much activity happening in the restaurant field in Goodyear, recap for us a little bit about some of the newer restaurants that maybe our residents have missed, because there really has been so many that are coming their way. Okay so let's talk about the retail survey,
Joe Stewart:Some of the new ones that have recently opened and like the past year, like Ocho Rios Jerk Spot, a Jamaican restaurant over kind of off Dysart and McDowell good yeah, you went there, right? Yeah. Rock and Roll Sushi is that local owner McAllister's Deli, Jamba, Chick-fil-a, Cheeto MX, Country Griddle, Denny's, Federico's all open last year. There's the ones that are under construction right now. I mean, obviously, you're right outside of City Hall. Here you have The Stillery. It's gonna be an awesome location, you have Bacchus wine bar, you have Copper and Sage, which is Joey Lucidi's restaurant from West Side concepts. On the other side, you'll have a High Tide seafood, you'll have Overeasy. And then on the corner, kind of by McDowell, and 150th on the corner, Shake Shack, the Yard milkshake bar, you know, people it goes on and on and on. I mean, there's so there's just a ton going on. And obviously, I mean, who can get for free at White Castle, and then Buc-ee's is going to have food. So I mean, like, there's a lot and then in Estrella, you have the Rio Mirage Cafe, that's plan, there's a Sip wine bar that's going on down there. So it can't come fast enough, but it's coming for sure. because we've already kind of touched on it a little bit. But this retail survey that economic development puts out, it's every two years, the most recent one just wrapped up at the end of 2023. The results are in and some of the things that you've already been highlighting about non chain restaurants locally owned fine dining. It sounds like a lot of these things that are high priorities in terms of restaurants to our residents. Those things are coming for them in terms of these types of things that check off that list. Yeah, now open and BJs was really high. I think it was maybe number five or number four on the survey from the previous year that's open and Noodles and Company, McAlester's Deli, Someburro's, Raising Canes, Salad and Go, those all were on previous surveys and they're all now open within the two years that they took the last survey. Coming soon dancing and nightlife, The Stillery meets that need, a seafood restaurant High Tide seafood is going to be coming here pretty soon. They're gonna they're gonna start construction on that building very soon and Shake Shack, White Castle. They've all been on previous surveys, and they're all now coming to Goodyear.
Host Jordan Byrd:How does the retail survey help and maybe attracting those restaurants to say, hey, here's documentation that are 100,000 plus residents want you here in our city? Does that help in the role of attracting restaurants?
Joe Stewart:100%. Firstly, it gives us an excuse to start a conversation with the retailer or a restaurant. Since we've gotten the survey, I've worked through almost every retailer restaurant on this list and kind of let them know either directly themselves or via their broker that, hey, you're appearing on this list. And many of them we're actually having active conversations with now, which is great. I won't disclose who. But yeah, but I mean, who doesn't want to feel loved? It adds a little bit of context to the data to have this year. Here's a qualitative and quantitative way that we could demonstrate that you'll be successful here.
Host Jordan Byrd:Let's talk a little bit about just maybe some of the hidden gem restaurants that around Goodyear, because with so many new additions coming to the city, and so many new residents coming in from all over the country every single day, there might be places that maybe get overlooked or maybe are not on a main drag. Are there any restaurants in your mind that are kind of fit that hidden gem that maybe the majority of our residents may not know about, but they should know about?
Joe Stewart:A new one that I love is Country Griddle. So over on Dysart and McDowell, a newer breakfast place, but I mean, if you like loco moco or if you like Louisa and Aigues and that kind of stuff, they've got great breakfast. I've never had a bad Italian meal from Bella Luna on Indian School and Litchfield, if you haven't had the food at Romans oasis. It's actually fantastic. It's really really good food. If you can ever get a chance to go to lunch or dinner there. It's it's really really good food.
Host Jordan Byrd:Joe, what is a way that residents can become a part of this process? Like if there is a restaurant or a business out there that they are over the moon about that they're huge fans of and maybe it hasn't popped up on the retail survey yet. But what are other ways that residents can be a part of this in terms of attracting businesses to Goodyear?
Joe Stewart:Don't hesitate to reach out to the restaurant
Host Jordan Byrd:Joe, thank you so much for taking the time and directly, or the retail directly. I mean, if you're interested, they have all their information and their contact on their website or their phone number, give them a call, give sharing what is really an exciting time right now in the me an email, address sure that we're doing it obviously. And so maybe there's a restaurant that I'm not aware of, or that you're city of Goodyear, with so much development, and so many new not aware of that you really, really want in Goodyear, but you want to kind of tell that story. And I would encourage the public to do the same. businesses and restaurants coming. Really appreciate the time.
Joe Stewart:Thank you. Happy to be here. Jordan, thank you.
Host Jordan Byrd:With a little bit more information on how small businesses and small restaurants can be a part of the Goodyear community, we're now being joined by economic development Deputy Director, Darah Mann. Darah, thank you so much for joining us.
Darah Mann:Thank you for having me, Jordan.
Host Jordan Byrd:So let's talk a little bit about those small restaurants. So small businesses where maybe it's a Goodyear local, a Goodyear resident who has an idea and says, Hey, I want to fill that void. What are some of the options? What are some of the tools that the city of Goodyear can provide for people like that?
Darah Mann:Goodyear is fortunate enough to have a council that wholeheartedly support small businesses and entrepreneurs. And 10 years ago, they approved the opening of the Innovation Hub. Currently, the Innovation Hub is located on the second floor of the Georiga T. Lord library. It provides space for the entrepreneurs to come in and collaborate or work on their business plan. We also provide programming, such as one on one mentoring, we have classes to start up a business. And we also do a networking event once a month for those new early stage entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Host Jordan Byrd:So if someone out there is hearing this and says, Hey, I've got an idea for a restaurant or maybe another type of business, and now they know about the Innovation Hub, what would be their next step in trying to get that ball rolling?
Darah Mann:Well all of the services are free. And so they just need to reach out to the economic development department. And they can visit our website to find out about the upcoming classes that we have. Or they can reach out to the business development managers and get a one on one mentoring session scheduled.
Host Jordan Byrd:Is it unusual for a city government to offer these kinds of tools to their residents in terms of business growth?
Darah Mann:The Innovation Hub in Goodyear was the first one in the west valley. It was initially a program that was the brainchild of Arizona State University, and it combined ASU, the local library and the local municipality. There's currently 12 of them across Arizona. But we were the first in the West Valley and our Council supports our small businesses. And so we continue to have success with the graduates that have come through startup school, we've had more than 500 students start with the class, more than half of those finish. And I still say that even if they don't finish, it's a success, because maybe they aren't quite ready or they don't quite have that product market fit. And we've saved them a lot of money and heartache by getting it down on paper first, and realizing they're not quite there. And a lot of them do come back and take the class later and open a business.
Host Jordan Byrd:Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary of the Innovation Hub. For anyone who was curious about the Innovation Hub, where should they go again?
Darah Mann:Well, first, I'd like to encourage everyone to follow us on social media. In our 10th anniversary year, we are highlighting a lot of the entrepreneurs that have come through the programs and some of the guest speakers that we have featured and they can visit DevelopGoodyearaz.com.
Host Jordan Byrd:Darah, thank you so much for taking the time and joining us. We appreciate it.
Darah Mann:Thank you.
Host Jordan Byrd:Well, Tammy, this was one of my funnest podcasts that we've done. Yeah, for sure. I know you are the wine connoisseur. But
Host Tammy Vo:Firstly know what things missing. Shouldn't we have been drinking wine during the podcast interviews? I mean, just to stay true.
Host Jordan Byrd:Theater of the mind, whose to say that we currently are not getting in on the vino. But it just really makes me proud to be a part of Goodyear to have people like Jack Vozar, who says, you know, I want to have something like this in my community, no one else is doing it. So I'm gonna pick it up, and I'm gonna do something about it.
Host Tammy Vo:It's really inspiring to hear his story. And he really is living his dream, which gosh, mad props to him for that and his wife. But, you know, I think one thing that we can really do to continue to educate our residents on how things work in the city, because I know sometimes it is hard to navigate how it all works. But a lot of residents think that the city brings businesses to Goodyear and we pick and choose which ones you know where they go when they open up could not be further from the truth. And clearly, obviously, as you heard earlier, the city works to attract certain types of businesses. But really this is private enterprise. It is up to these business entrepreneurs to decide where they want to go and where is going to be most successful to them. And sometimes it just comes down to headcount, you know how many people are living in a certain area and if you drive to GSQ you're gonna see a lot of that residential go up, you will see a lot of multi Family Housing go up. And there's a reason for that, because that fits into this formula, if you will, of what a successful downtown looks like you need the people, which then leads to the restaurants, which then leads to the shops and the entertainment. And then it all kind of comes together one day, and it will, it will. And that's just what's just so exciting to see, when you look at the construction go up, we are on our way.
Host Jordan Byrd:retail survey where there has been success story after success story of things our residents have identified through the retail survey that had then become a reality right here in Goodyear. So it's another piece of encouragement to you, our residents, that if there are businesses out there, if there are restaurants that you would like to see here in Goodyear, you can either start it on your own, like Jack, or just let us know, let our economic development team know. Let the city of Goodyear know and participate in things like the resident retail survey. Because more often than not, there's a good chance that other people in this community want the same type of business, want the same type of restaurants, and that it might become a reality down the line.
Host Tammy Vo:So if you've taken something from this episode of Growing Goodyear, it is clear, there is a lot in the works. There's a lot to come. Bacchus wine bar is one of them. And we say it time and time again and it's clear that it is a great time to be in Goodyear.
Close:That concludes this episode of Growing Goodyear. Make sure to leave us a review and subscribe on your favorite streaming or podcast player app. If you have any questions or comments, email us at communications at goodyearaz.gov. And don't forget to follow us on the city of Goodyear's social media pages.