Ingrid Croce-Rock
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Ingrid Croce, She's Got A Name
Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar (502 Fifth Avenue-corner of Fifth and "F" St.)
I know first-hand, up front and center, if not side-by-side, that one woman was the spark for the transformation of downtown San Diego's Gaslamp District. Some people say it was Petco Park and millions of dollars that spurred the resurgence of downtown. They are wrong. For those of us who were there back in the 1980's, we know one woman gets the credit. And, dare I say, credit is deserved and due. Back in the day, going back over 20 years ago, one woman looked at the corner of 5th and "F" Street and saw something no one else did. One woman stood on that sidewalk and when everyone else saw the empty buildings, downtrodden folks asleep in doorways, and virtually no life south of Broadway--
she saw what it could become. This woman had monumental vision.
The woman is Ingrid Croce-Rock. Ingrid Croce-Rock planted the first flag. She was the pioneer. She was the visionary. She was the one with chutzpah and fierce determination.
Night and day, day and night, Ingrid built Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar. Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar pays tribute to Ingrid's late husband, Jim Croce. Chances are you know who Jim Croce was or even more you knew his music. If you heard it, you'd know it. Jim's distinctive voice and wonderful music was an integral part of soundtrack of the 1970's.
Ingrid built Croce's in honor of Jim, but it is all hers. Every part of the establishment has her touch, her style and her attention to quality. Year in and year out, Ingrid stood at the door to greet customers and welcome them into the spirit of being with friends and surrounded by the magic of music. If you didn't see her at the entrance of Croce's, you'd hear her on the radio, on TV shows, or on the street passing out flyers directing people to her corner of the world in the Gaslamp. She was undeterred by naysayers. She was unfazed by the tremendous challenge before her. For years, Croce's stood alone for live traditional jazz, giving musicians the opportunity to play music in an initimate setting despite the groundswell for mainstream music. But, it was not all about music. Croce's also earned its' reputation for serving up great food with a variety of influences. Croce's is what many of us wanted the Gaslamp to be. It still holds that intimate feel and ambiance. Croce's has always been a special place. It is also a special for its' contribution to San Diego. Croce's brought life to the Gaslamp. It all started at the corner of 5th and "F" St. I know. I was there. I was in the front row. I will always respect and shine the light on Ingrid Croce for having the vision to see what was possible and for having the tenacity to persevere in making that vision a reality. Stop into Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar. If you see Ingrid, tell her Julie sent you.
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