The opening of Gentle Ben's Brewing Co. yesterday does not have local bar owners and operators fearing a loss of business. Instead, they think it will help.

Gentle Ben's had been closed since March 1995 so that it could move into its new location at 865 E. University Blvd.

Jana Huntsinger, manager of Frog and Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd., said there is some competition between the bars on North Fourth Avenue and those on University Boulevard. She said she is anticipating the opening of Gentle Ben's and welcomes the presence of another bar in the area.

"I think it will be great," Huntsinger said. "We are actually really looking forward to it. We are anticipating more people in the area. It will create more traffic down here."

Phil Giddings, assistant to the general manager of Geronimoz' Restaurant and Bar, 800 E. University Blvd., agreed with Huntsinger.

"The more competition the better," Giddings said. He said that the opening of Gentle Ben's will likely help business because of the "overflow" crowd patronizing the area's bars.

Gary Welch, owner of Dirtbag's, 1800 E. Speedway Blvd., said he thinks competition is a good thing and that he is in competition with the Fourth Avenue bars for customers.

Of Gentle Ben's opening, he said, "I think it will probably help our business because it will help keep people on campus."

Mike Homier, general manager of O'Malleys on Fourth, 247 N. Fourth Ave., said he was not sure what effect Gentle Ben's would have on his business.

"They could do really well or they could do really bad," Homier said. "The bar business is one of those that is up in the air."

Tom Clark, co-owner of Bison Witches Bar and Deli, 326 N. Fourth Ave., said the opening could help his business.

"University and Fourth will eventually be one connected, big area," Clark said. "The more (bars) that are around, the better. I think everyone is pretty much for the opening of Gentle Ben's."

He said the more options bar patrons have, the more they will go out.

Tom Jones, owner of The River Road Brewery, 1980 E. River Road, said he thinks the Gentle Ben's opening will help Tucson's craft-brewed industry move forward.

"Gentle Ben's is definitely going to be a place to go for craft-brewed beer," Jones said. "I think they are going to help bring Tucson into the craft-brew phase."

He also said he does not think the opening of Gentle Ben's will affect his business.

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