"We’re officially building owners! We can’t wait to restore this beautiful building and share its rich history dating back to 1950. Coming soon, “The Delmar” will serve as a restaurant, bar/lounge, event space, and apartments! Let the fun begin!!"
That was the Facebook post by Brent and Lyndie Blair soon after they officially got the keys to their new business.
They first looked at the building, most recently housing the business 'Zims', back in March. Then came back a few more times to look deeper into the guts of the nearly 75-year-old establishment.
"We finally put our offer in and eight months later, here we are," said Lyndie.
They also looked at a few other buildings around the area but knew those would not work.
"When we first saw this one, we really didn't know this was it either because it was a lot bigger than we thought we could take on. But we knew this was it," Lyndie said.
Now, they are ready for the challenge.
"We wanted to get into the restaurant business for a long time but we wouldn't do it with our kids because of the dedication and time to this. But now they are grown up. The realtor called us and said 'What about this?' and here we are," Brent chuckled.
There are three floors to the building.
The top floor will have 5-6 apartments with a lounge, bar, and restaurant on the main level and a banquet/event room on the bottom floor.
Brent worked in the food service in corrections since 1996. He got out right before corrections privatized it. He has taught culinary arts restaurant management trades program at the prison for the last 11 years.
"I've been training people to work in this business and now I have to be the one to run it which I have been teaching them to do - to become employable in this industry," Brent said.
The building is rich in history.
"The Delmar was the place to go. There was a hotel upstairs with the restaurant on the main level and the banquet room in the basement. The main floor was the fancy dining place in town. It was very elegant. They brought in bands from Chicago to play here," Lyndie said.
Brent and Lyndie grew up in the Soo so they have seen many name changes to that building on the corner of Maple St. and Ashmun St.
And now, under their ownership, the original Delmar is brought back to life.
A lot of work has to be done to the inside on all three floors. The good news is that the building itself is structurally sound. The not-so-good news is that much of the building has to be gutted.
Brent and Lyndie will keep a few items that are in good shape and a lot of hard work, and determination will make the Delmar a dream that they feel people will come to enjoy.
"We are looking at the menu as American-Italian. We feel that this kind of menu is missing in the Soo and that people want it. My parent's generation is hoping to have the Delmar name back, are excited and hope that it becomes a downtown destination. We are filling a void here in the Soo," Brent said.
The Delmar is expected to open up in Spring 2025.
