Intersection

Fremont East hub the Beat set to be replaced by a restaurant

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The Beat at Emergency Arts is set to close in September.
Photo: Christopher DeVargas

After more than six years, Downtown Las Vegas’ popular Beat Coffeehouse will soon shut its doors, and the adjoining Emergency Arts space will soon be confined to the second floor of the building.

Set to take their place is Eureka!, a scratch kitchen concept that will feature locally-sourced produce, 40 local craft beer taps and live music. There are currently 23 other locations of the restaurant spread throughout California, Texas and Washington. The Downtown Vegas version is set to open mid-2017.

The reinvention of the building at 520 Fremont Street will be led by its owners, IKE Gaming, Inc., the company behind El Cortez and its properties. In a statement released today, IKE co-CEO Paul Frederick said, “We look forward to bringing our concepts to the iconic Emergency Arts building in the heart of this eclectic neighborhood, surrounded by its history and the new age vibe.”

Since 2010, the Beat and Emergency Arts have been an integral part of Downtown’s revitalization. The Beat has been one of the most popular meeting spots, coffee hubs and destinations for open mic and literary events. Emergency Arts remains an integral home for local artists and creative professionals.

On Friday, an employee said the Beat will remain open until sometime in September.

In a farewell post on the Beat’s Facebook page, founders Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite wrote, “It's not a surprise, as when we started this project we knew that the days were numbered. We were blessed to receive more than we ever planned, but certainly it feels like there weren't enough.”

The Cornthwaites also wrote they will be keeping Emergency Arts active on the second floor and hope to expand it to the third floor. In the same post, they alluded to future plans: “Emergency Arts 2.0 might be a little less gritty, but it might also bring surprises that are unforeseen, that part we know.”

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