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Cigar & whiskey lounge opening in Ripon
cigar
Events 22 on downtown Main Street will soon share space with Jake’ Place Cigar and Whiskey Lounge.

David and Michelle Klasser are the owners of Events 22 Designs & Rentals in downtown Ripon.

They’re looking to modify the 3,500 square foot building by splitting it in half and bringing in an upscale cigar lounge.

The Ripon Planning Commission on Monday approved the conditional use permit for Jake’s Place Cigar and Whiskey Lounge.

Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart noted that the use permit is necessary in order for the Klassers to obtain the ABC license. “There are many timing issues in the process,” he said.

Jake’s Place will be family-owned and operated, featuring quality cigars, fine whiskey Bourbons, charcuterie and locally grown almonds and nuts.

“We don’t have anything like this in our town,” said Michelle Klasser, who has been in the hospitality business for 25 years.

She described this new endeavor of having a lounge setting with a “nice and mellow clientele.”

Located at 202 E. Main St., this whiskey and cigar lounge will be in one of the remodeled 1,750 square foot suites. Zuidervaart said that the building was once an auto parts and repair business and is still zoned as Heavy Industrial. He added that future plans call for re-zoning of the area to be more compatible with downtown.

According to the plans, the building will get a makeover consisting of:

  • Improvements to the building façade such as the installation of metal awnings over the doors and windows, and metal siding and lighting accents at the building corners along the wall on Nourse Avenue.
  • Installation of trellis features and landscaping around the perimeter of the site.
  • Putting in a humidor and bar along with new ADA restrooms, updated flooring and paint and potential kitchen space to make paninis or other small food items.
  • New pavers patio flooring along with new fencing, arbor covering, and landscaping for the outdoor patio space at the rear of the building.
  • Restriping of the existing front parking containing six spaces and adding five-foot sidewalks on Norse Avenue and the front of the building.
  • Landscaping on the side of the building as well as the front parking lot area.

Michelle Klasser said that she and her husband had a vision to do this business to try to create a space that is community driven.

“We love being part of this community – we want to create a place that you can come and see your neighbor and just relax,” she added.