Barry Lewis, The Paper of Montgomery County Community Editor
Observant people have already noticed changes in the 100 block of North Green Street. However, more, many more, are planned at the old Monon Hotel Building.
A trio of local residents - Scott Ferretti, Brian Pedro and Jason Roche - purchased the historical four-story building recently and officially took over control on Aug. 1.
Immediately, the name was changed from the Showdown Saloon and replaced by a banner which now reads "Rumors Bar and Grill."
"We took control last Tuesday (Aug. 1) and the first thing we did was the change the name of the old Showdown Saloon," Roche said. "We came up with the name Rumors which is appropriate for a bar so we named it Rumors Bar and Grill."
While other changes might not meet the eye yet - they will and soon.
The plans calls for the bar to be closed for a three-week period in September to do some extensive remodeling to the first floor of the 14,000 square foot building located at 125 N. Green St., which originally opened on Aug. 18, 1927. The hotel operated until 1977 when it closed and the building was condemned by the city.
"We are going to remodel the existing bar area and make some changes to the first floor and add a kitchen," Roche said. "When it reopens it will be rearranged, have a facelift and have a kitchen. Patrons will definitely notice a difference. We have been talking to the customers and I would say 90 percent of them are excited about the changes. We are right in the middle of downtown with banks, businesses and the courthouse all within a block. We are hoping to make this a place those people would like to come and eat lunch at and then after work stop by for a cocktail."
"Our main goal is to attract more business downtown," Williams said. "We really like all the renovations and historic preservations going on downtown and are excited to become a part of that. We just want to provide people downtown one more option. During the weekday we will cater to the business people and on the weekend we are hoping to provide an atmosphere where your can come and spend an evening with friends and listen to some live entertainment."