22 AUGUST 2017 ARCAD A NEWS By Elaina Verhoff Have you noticed the building with the words BEER SHOP spelled out in bold green letters on the southeast corner of Indian School and 24 th Street? That spot, which opened in December, is the home of The Wandering Tortoise. Call it a beer store, beer bar, tap room or bottle shop… but whatever you do, don’t call it a bar. “It’s not a bar,” says co-owner Shay Gau, who presided over the kitchen at LGO Hospitality for 10 years as executive chef, overseeing menus at restaurants including LGO, Buck and Rider, Chelsea’s Kitchen and Radio Milano, to name a few. “The word bar has a certain negative connotation. We sell nicer products.” Gau’s partner, co-owner Justin Evans is quick to add “We like dive bars… but it’s just not our thing.” So, what exactly is The Wandering Tortoise? Ask any of its many regulars and they’ll tell you it’s a modern-day Cheers . Gary and Melissa Turi say they know the neighborhood establishments well, because they’ve been going out in the area for 25 years. “This place represents a cultural shift,” Gary said. “It’s a real community hangout. This is the first time we’ve seen a place this interactive. It’s such a social atmosphere. You can bring your dog, meet new people… there’s something different going on here.” Gau and Evans first met at another neighborhood beer joint, the Pig’s Meow, where Evans was a partner for two years, after having worked at O.H.S.O. “We talked about it forever,” Evans said. “We both weren’t happy with what we were doing. Finally, we took a trip to San Diego for market research and made the decision (to go for it).” When asked how they chose the location, Gau says “The location picked us.” The two had initially drawn up plans for another building, but the deal fell through. Soon after, they heard about the current location. The timing and location were perfect. Evans says he and Gau used their service industry background to make sure they got all the little touches right to create the perfect ambiance. “We thought about all the details,” Evans said. “Everything from the bar height, to the space at the tables, the location of the drink rails. When designing The Wandering Tortoise, we took our inspiration from tap rooms in California and Portland.” What was once an office building has now been transformed into an open airy space, with a wall of 22 rotating beers on tap, 10 carefully curated wine selections, ample table and bar seating, a funky wall mural, and cooler cases holding a selection of beer to be purchased and taken home. Tony Cerame, a regular at the Wandering Tortoise, says he’s a “huge beer dork” who recently moved here from St. Louis, where craft beer is a pretty big deal. “I did some research online and came in for the Goose Island tap takeover,” Cerame said. “This place is by far the best beer bar in Arizona.” “What you see is what you get,” Evans added. “We love doing this or a living, and we love the people who come in. I look around this bar, and I know 45 percent of the people here. We care. This is our business.” Renovations to expand into the adjacent space are expected to be complete between October and December. Gau and Evans agree for now, they are dedicated to The Wandering Tortoise, and will keep their growth organic. “Shay and I are very passionate. If we do anything, it has to be 100 percent,” Evans said.           Call it a beer store, beer bar, tap room or bottle shop, but whatever you do, don’t call The Wandering Tortoise a bar. Its owners say the word “bar” has a negative connotation which doesn’t fit their establishment. Owners Shay Gau and Justin Evans drew on their service industry backgrounds to ensure the location for The Wandering Tortoise gives customers a high-quality, interactive experience. Respect Comfort Care NEW ASSISTED LIVING IN ARCADIA စ ငငင  First Months Rent *   with lush green backyard   3213 E. Mitchell Drive Phoenix, AZ 85018                   luxurious and loving approach to advanced age care. Contact Us! (480) 900-7209 info@bluesageliving.com "# #$%$#"&