The funky building at 961 S. Park Street that was formerly home to Atomic Interiors is set to become the next Barriques. Co-owner Matt Weygandt says he and Finn Berge are "champing at the bit" to get working on the project.
They plan to retain the exterior mostly as is, just changing the color and adding awnings and a window on the north side; outdoor cafe space will be added on the south side. "Inside, it's effectively a box," says Weygandt, noting that the building is like an old Quonset hut with a cinderblock exterior wrapped around it. He likes the curvature of the 18-foot-high ceiling, and says the "really cool metal trusswork" will be preserved. Reclaimed wood and other salvaged elements will contribute to the interior design, much as at other Barriques.
Weygandt says the South Park Street location is the most heavily trafficked of any of the Barriques. "We feel we have a responsibility for [the site] to look attractive, considering the number of passersby it gets each day." He hopes the cafe will be used for business meetings, studying, and neighborhood families "bringing their kids in for hot chocolate."
The project comes up before the ALRC Wednesday, Jan. 19.
"Spring" is the closest Weygandt will venture as far as naming an opening date, but he hopes it will be sooner rather than later. "It's been underutilized for so long."
