Pobrecito at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix is closing. Here's what we know
Tirion Morris
Pobrecito, a Latin-inspired bar located at The Churchill, is changing hands and will close later this month.
Located in downtown Phoenix, The Churchill is a collection of bars and restaurants housed inside shipping containers surrounding a central dining area. The project includes a pizzeria and gift shop, as well as two bar concepts.
Kell Duncan, who owns The Churchill with partner Hartley Rodie, confirmed to The Arizona Republic on Monday evening that Pobrecito's last day will be Aug. 31.
Well-known local beverage professionals Jason Asher and Rich Furnari of Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality opened Pobrecito at the high-profile downtown development project almost exactly one year ago.
The duo also owns UnderTow, an award-winning tiki bar on Indian School Road, and are opening a highly-anticipated new bar called Century Grand in September.
The opening of Century Grand and the closing of Pobrecito went hand in hand, Asher told The Republic on Monday afternoon.
"We just decided to pursue concepts that we own," Asher says.
What's next for Pobrecito?
Because of its location within The Churchill, Barter & Shake were the management company and minds behind Pobrecito, but didn't own the space.
Asher and Furnari are excited about the turnover, Asher said, as they are passing the Pobrecito space to bar's current general manager Sam Olguin.
"It'll allow one of our own to spread his wings," Asher said. Asher also noted that the relatively low overhead costs and location close to Roosevelt Row make the space perfect for Olguin's first bar.
According to a post on Olguin's Instagram page, the new bar will be called So Far, So Good. The Republic reached out to Olguin for comment but had not heard back by the time of publication.
Details: 901 N 1st St., Phoenix. pobrecitophx.com.
Reach the reporter at tirion.morris@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @tirionmorris, on Facebook at Tirion Rose and on Instagram at tirionrose.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
