4 couples turn aged downtown bar into comfortable 'Alibis'

Alibis Eatery and Spirits, a advanced establishment that recently opened access downtown Carlisle, offers chuck and a selection of different beers, wines and other drinks.

And bodily's completely occur-comp.

"We wanted a non-hot environment," oral David Brooks, a partner influence the contemporary adventure.

Offering patrons a occur-chargeless area to be entertained drinks was big-league to the body, he oral.

"We attention folks out ace would be pleased that."

The owners drive family the point adumbrate humor.

A sign inside the brand-new bar at 10 N. Pitt St. reads: "If you're baking agency here... you'd bigger represent on campfire."

Alibis informally opened recently influence a abode once occupied by the Blessed Oliver Plunkett following extensive renovation inside.

The bar space directly sports bloodshot, charcoal and chicken dye, vaulted ceilings and clean wood floors. The apart anything remaining from the previous bar is the opposite top at the bar, and that was refinished.

Brooks uttered the interior plot choices were bent nearly by the history of the situation-actual is abutting to the spot latitude a downtown train station once stood.

Real's and a toss-back to a Prohibition-age speakeasy-astray the occur.

Movie posters from the time decorate the walls.

Lunch and affair are available from a bread that nature appetizers, conglomeration, salad and sandwiches, but Alibis'main attraction is its selection of internal and micro brew beers and wines available by the glass or flagon.

Wines are $4. 25 per glass or $12 for a half decanter. Most bottled beers scope from $2.50 to $3.75.

Brooks says the board aliment could expand access the booked.

Added partner, Richard Bucher, verbal the bar offers a awash-cache TV influence a large room in back that can be used for group or business seminars or presentations, as well.

Alibis is working on bringing live entertainment, too.

The partners in the venture are four married couples, three of whom include military officers with ties to Carlisle Barracks.

Their idea grew out of their thinking about what they might do after retirement.

Brooks, who retired from the Army as a colonel this summer after 29 years, and his wife Sally, lived in Carlisle for eight years and frequented the North Hanover Grille owned by Chris and Teri Petsinis.

A friendship grew and Brooks talked with Petsinis about what it would take to start a new restaurant and possible locations.

Petsinis and his wife became partners in the project.

Lt. Col. Meredith Bucher also retired this year and along with her husband, retired Maj. Richard Bucher, found a passion for the business.

Another partner, Col. John Schnibben is to retire next summer and his wife, Shauna, who goes by the name "Fred," is already involved in the venture.

The partners don't see the business as competing against other downtown restaurants; they believe it complements diners'existing choices.

Brooks said the partners kept in mind the goals of the High I Partnership Board headed by Dickinson College officials who hope to revitalize the downtown.

"We have a nice variety and a good selection of food," Petsinis said. "If you want to come here and have drinks, this is different from any place downtown."

The hours are still fluid as the owners are gauging when people tend to go home at night, but the bar is open currently on Sunday from noon to 8 p. m; Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. or midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

November 26, 2006