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Local businessman plans facelift, coffee shop for abandoned building at busy site

BY: NICOLE SACK
THE SOUTHERN

Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:06 PM CST

CARBONDALE - Dan Terry has a vision of a rejuvenated downtown Carbondale, so he's taken over what was one of the Strip's most visible and unused buildings in hopes of breathing new life to the area.

The former Rally's property, located at the northwest corner of the Mill Street underpass intersection, has been boarded up for more than seven years. It was an empty building on one of Carbondale's busiest intersections.

"Abandoned buildings are not a benefit to anyone," Terry said. "I think the Strip can comeback to life without necessarily being what it was before."

Terry knew that with one move he could lessen blight, create jobs and offer a new service in Carbondale, if he could only buy the property.

Now he has.

Work is underway to transform the former fast-food joint into a drive-through coffee shop. Terry said Sambucca Joe's will feature gourmet coffee and sandwiches.

The exterior of the building will be undergoing a multiple façade improvements, which will help to change the overall look of Illinois Avenue. He hopes to be open for business by May 1.

Denise Johnson will be managing Sambucca Joe's. She said there is already anticipation from the public for the new restaurant to open.

"A lot have people have come by while we've been renovating and welcomed us to the neighborhood," she said.

But the last time Terry opened a coffee shop, it morphed into what is now one of Carbondale's premiere restaurants. While food and liquor sales grew, the coffee sales dwindled away.

The Newell House, 201 E. Main St., was opened in 2003, and has undergone three expansions in that short time.

"People told me this restaurant would never work in downtown Carbondale, that people wouldn't come downtown at night," Terry said. "The Newell House has become more than a place to eat, it has become a destination."

Terry owns four Carbondale buildings, including the Bening Square Building, which was built in 1872 and is one the oldest structures in Carbondale's town square. Terry has also become a substantial employer. He currently has 30 employees at the Newell House and anticipates hiring an additional 14 worker for Sambucca Joes.

"For me, the more life we have downtown, the better for everyone," Terry said.

nicole.sack@thesouthern.com

(618) 529-5454 ext. 5816