A local business group plans to unveil a new Irish pub in early March at 1261 Garnet Ave., the former site of the Tropicoso Latin music bar. The owners tentatively set to open doors Monday, March 8, with a grand opening celebration in April, said Verant Group partner Eric Lingenfelder. “The décor would definitely be of an Irish design,” he said. “We’re always looking for new locations and we had a couple ideas, and we wanted to bring a bit of the Irish spirit to a place on Garnet [Avenue].” Partners Mark Cirillo, Joe Vaught and Lingenfelder opened their first location, Tavern at the Beach, 1200 Garnet Ave., more than 11 years ago, he said. Since then, the group has spawned several bars and restaurants in San Diego including Mission Beach’s Sandbar Sports Grill, Offshore Tavern and Grill along Morena Boulevard, True North, in North Park; and West Coast Tavern, also in North Park. The group has also spread its wings as far as Tempe, Ariz., with Tavern on the Mill. The group has a firm foot planted in the community and touts local participation as a key to success. According to Lingenfelder, the group hires locally and gets involved in the local political scene. Lingenfelder serves on several community groups including the local business improvement district’s board of directors. Lingenfelder also serves on the Pacific Beach Community Advisory Committee, which advises the city on special events in the community and liquor licenses. The address of the group’s planned Irish pub had an existing license to sell beer and wine, which the new establishment will continue. “What’s important to us is to be a productive member in the community, not on the business front but … we understand we have to have a good relationship with the community,” he said.