Mizpah Bar brings new life to a vacant Syracuse church
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Mizpah Bar brings new life to a vacant Syracuse church
Reporter Helaina Stovin: On the corner of Montgomery and East Jefferson streets, you’ll find the historic Mizpah Tower, the former First Baptist Church that’s been vacant since 1992. Well, not anymore. The Mizpah Bar held its first celebratory tasting in the new space, soon to become a brand-new wine bar.
Stovin: This sanctuary is trading sermons for spirits. The visionary and business owner, Michael Greene, says he wants it to become one of Syracuse’s downtown staples.
Business Owner Michael Greene: I mean our goal is for this place that kind of brings together the community that people gather at, but candidly a kind of place where if you’re bringing someone from out of town that’s visiting Syracuse we want this to be on the list of places you go to. We want this to be a memorable part of Syracuse.
Stovin: Although today marks a big step for the bar, it marks an even bigger step for the community.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh: This was the last kind of missing piece that kind of puts the exclamation point on the revitalization that we’ve seen. And so when this project is completed, I think again I think it is going to be a seminal moment for the comeback of downtown Syracuse, but I also think it is going to inspire additional investment going forward.
Stovin: The space, which intends to hold events as well, where people can celebrate weddings or even hold business meetings, is taking one step further in reestablishing the nightlife in downtown Syracuse.
Stovin: With the sound of church bells ringing once again, the Mizpah Bar is breathing new life into the heart of the city. With stained glass windows now overlooking a new kind of gathering, this historic landmark is ready to write its next chapter. And for Michael Greene and company, that’s something…worth toasting to. Helaina Stovin N-C-C News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — On the corner of Montgomery and East Jefferson Street stands the historic Mizpah Tower, the former First Baptist Church that has been vacant since 1992. The building has undergone periods of operation as a concert venue, having even hosted groups such as the Goo Goo Dolls.
But the building’s long silence has come to an end. The Mizpah Bar held its first celebratory tasting this week in the new space, which will soon open as a wine bar in the heart of downtown Syracuse.
The transformation marks a dramatic shift for the century-old structure. The sanctuary is trading sermons for spirits, and visionary business owner Michael Greene says he wants the venue to become one of Syracuse’s downtown staples, a destination that honors the building’s historic character while serving the community’s future.
“Our goal is for this place that kind of brings together the community that people gather at, but candidly a kind of place where if you’re bringing someone from out of town that’s visiting Syracuse, we want this to be on the list of places you go to,” Greene said. “We want this to be a memorable part of Syracuse.”
While the tasting marks a significant milestone for the bar, it represents an even bigger step for the community’s ongoing revitalization efforts. Mayor Ben Walsh attended the event and called the project the final piece in downtown’s transformation.
“This was the last kind of missing piece that kind of puts the exclamation point on the revitalization that we’ve seen,” Walsh said. “And so when this project is completed, I think it is going to be a seminal moment for the comeback of downtown Syracuse, but I also think it is going to inspire additional investment going forward.”
The Mizpah Bar will offer more than just wine service. The space intends to host events, including weddings and business meetings, providing a unique venue that blends historic architecture with modern amenities. The multipurpose approach represents another step toward re-establishing nightlife in downtown Syracuse.
With the sound of church bells ringing once again, the Mizpah Bar is breathing new life into the heart of the city. Stained-glass windows now overlook a new kind of gathering as this historic landmark prepares to write its next chapter.
For Michael Greene and company, that’s something worth toasting to.