Mason Inn and George bar owner Fritz Brogan (COL ’07, LAW ’10) will not operate the Healey Family Student Center pub after failing to reach a satisfactory financial agreement with the university.
Brogan’s company, Hilltop Hospitality, signed a letter of intent in April, emerging as the university’s best candidate for the pub over 18 other vendors, including Aramark Higher Education, which manages O’Donovan Hall.
“The university and my company were unable to reach a financial agreement that satisfied our substantial investment of financial and other resources into the project,” Brogan wrote in an email to The Hoya.
The third-generation alumnus had promised to solicit student feedback on features of the pub, which was to accept payment by GOCard in addition to cash and credit and offer a walk-up style dining service under the proposed name of Stonewall. The pub was to be open to students 18 years and older, with wristbands or hand stamps used to distinguish students over 21. A planning forum was held in August to discuss these possibilities, and another was scheduled for the beginning of the school year but never came to fruition.
“Mr. Brogan informed us several weeks ago that this model is not one he wants to pursue after all,” Associate Vice President and Chief Business Officer Deborah Morey said. “We are grateful for the time and energy that he put into these discussions. The university has benefited from them, and they will help inform our conversations with other vendors going forward.”
Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Joelle Wiese has convened a panel of students to explore other vendors that has met twice thus far, according to Georgetown University Student Association President Nate Tisa (SFS ’14). The informal group, composed of GUSA members and other students who had previously expressed interest in the pub, are looking to find a vendor that will maintain the predetermined ambience.
Designs for the 3,000-square-foot indoor space and outdoor patio have already been presented to students at planning forums.
A timeline for selection of a new vendor has yet to be determined. The student center that will house the pub is currently set to open in fall 2014.
“Once there’s more progress, and we’re further along in the process of identifying potential vendors, I think the goal is to have a broader discussion, look at options and then have another forum or two on looking at the pub process,” Tisa said. “We should do that again with the new vendor.”
In his email to The Hoya, Brogan expressed gratitude for Tisa’s involvement with the pub. He also spoke of his view on the project.
