Something New For Binghamton’s Perry Building

Finishing touches are being made to a new gathering spot in one of downtown Binghamton's most distinctive buildings.

The Perry Building at the corner of Court and Chenango streets is about to become the home of to Doc Concrescence. It's being billed as a kava, tea and elixir bar.

Kava is a Polynesian root drink that has been becoming more popular in recent years.

Juris Ahn and his wife, Tracy Hollands, are launching the business. Ahn said they looked at various potential locations before deciding that the street level space in the Perry Building was the right spot.

Ahn said kava bars are popular in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived for about 25 years before moving to Binghamton in 2012. He said the kava beverage is "mildly relaxing."

Work on preparing the space got underway November 1. Doc Concrescence is having a "soft opening" this week with its grand opening set for February 3, coinciding with downtown's monthly First Friday events.

The opening of the kava bar brings new life to the historic Perry Building. The cast iron structure was featured in the 1991 Mike Figgis movie "Liebestraum."

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