Document text
Rosie's will become 'middle class' Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Allison Mitchell, 4, Cameron Forrest, 7, Morgan Jaeger, 4, and Ashley Mitchell, 1, share a table with Candice Jaeger at a closing party for Rosie's Sweet Shoppe in Ashland. It will reopen in January under a new owner, Lori Forrest, who plans on including a grill, old-fashioned pinball games and a restored soda fountain. A new owner plans to restore the soda fountain, add burgers and other foods to attract families By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Visions of a restaurant that will cater to kids and middle-class workers in the midst of downtown's trendy, tourist-oriented eating establishments are guiding the new owner of a historic 1907 soda fountain business. "There's no place to take little kids around here," said Lori Forrest, who has purchased Rosie's Sweet Shoppe at East Main and Second Street. She moved here a year ago with her 7-year-old son from Palo Alto, Calif., where she owned an English-style pub. The shop, which closed Nov. 6, will be remodeled to include a grill, old-fashioned pinball games for kids and perhaps an area for late-night comedy. The soda fountain will be restored to its original condition. Customers still will be able to get phosphates - a mix of flavored syrups and soda - and ice cream treats. It is scheduled to reopen in January. Forrest wants the establishment to revert to one of its former names. She will ask the community members which name they prefer. The shop was called Ingle's Drug Store and Fountain before it became Rosie's, Forrest said. Before that, it was Eastside Drug Store and Fountain. She is uncertain of the original name. Building owner Glenn Munsell and Ashland historian and photographer Terry Skibby are researching earlier names. Skibby is looking for photographs of the original interior to help with restoration of the soda fountain. "It will be kind of an eclectic vintage thing," said Forrest of the interior remodel. "It's been 94 years since it opened. We want it to have a little bit of everything and to be aesthetically pleasing." Interior designer J.B. McGee will oversee the restoration, decoration and a new lighting scheme. About $150,000 will be spent on the remodel. A chase, or trench, for the grill that extends through the two-story building accounts for much of the cost. The outside overhang may be removed. Forrest purchased the business from Bud and Carla LeFever. They bought it in 1982 and gave it the Rosie's name. The shop offered sandwiches and soups in addition to its soda fountain items. Competition from BJ's Ice Cream a block away had caused business to decline, Forrest said. Menu items will include burgers, grilled platters and kids' meals that come with a token that can be used for games. A proposed menu shows a top entree price of $8.95, with burgers starting at $3.50. Organic and natural foods will be featured. The business will employ 10 to 15 people, many of them part-time. Gina Anders, daughter of the LeFevers and the most recent manager, will work in the new business. It will be open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for kitchen items. Late-night comedy shows would happen after local theater shows ended. The shop will have a beer and wine license. Residents are asked to tell Forrest which historic name they would prefer. She can be reached at [email protected]. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.