Rookies Will Welcome Casual and Serious Fans

When , a longtime fixture on First Street, closed in January, building owner Rob Storelee was presented with a chance to bring something new to downtown Benicia. His vision, Rookies Sports Bar, is taking shape and Storelee said he hopes to have the new establishment open by May 1.

As he walked around tools and construction materials recently, he counted 18 spots on which he plans to hang  television sets so customers in every corner of the bar can see whatever sporting events are being televised.

For the times when there are few sporting events on TV, Storelee, an offshore boat racer, plans to show DVDs of extreme sports.

He said his dealings with various government agencies have been good.

"I just got off the phone with the county health department and they've been really helpful so far," said Storelee who admitted he didn't know a bar had to have a health department permit until "Delando (Pegan) at The Rellik tipped me off  about it."

Storelee isn't worried about the competition.

"I think it's going to hold its own," he said. "We'll be a little different. We'll be more casual."

The plan calls for serving 12 to 18 draft beers  and providing full bar service with some specialty drinks, but that depends on getting his liquor license in a timely manner. "I had a broker help me with the liquor license," said Storelee.

When asked what sporting event he was most looking forward to televising at Rookies, Storelee didn't have to think long: "The first World Series after we open, especially if San Francisco is back in it."

Storelee said he plans to have the decor reflect his taste for local pro teams with some colleges represented, too.

He said he plans to have food served by caterers and may open a family-style restaurant adjacent to the bar depending on the success of the food portion of the business the first year. 

"We plan on a $2 taco night  and on Thursday we're thinking about an outdoor barbecue in the parking lot," he said.  "I'm hoping to incorporate that (the barbecue) on Saturday and Sunday when there are games on."

"I'm hoping to open on May 1," said Storelee.  "I think that should be realistic — I hope."