by David Chapman
Staff Writer
An overall down economy paired with the collapse of the real estate market curbed — or outright halted — many of the best laid business plans. But one Downtown businessman will soon see his dream come to fruition.
Dustin Greer’s venture at 11 Ocean St., once to be called Dragonfly Salon & Lounge back in early 2007, hit the same stumbling blocks others did, he said, namely the tanking economy and funding issues.
That was then, though, and in recent months construction and refurbishment of the old building began. The bar has a new name, Lit, and target date of opening before Christmas.
“It’s been three years in the making,” said Greer. “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time and it’s finally coming together.”
While not a designated historical building, the building has some history to it that Greer plans on spotlighting. Two large advertising murals painted by once famed outdoor advertising company The Thomas Cusack Company in the early 1900s will remain, with the ceiling opened up to allow people to better view the work on the north interior wall. In addition, the brick work will remain unchanged, with the overall atmosphere part of the appeal.
“I fell in love with it (the building),” said Greer. “There’s a lot of history in this 100-year-old building.”
As far as the business inside the establishment itself, Greer said it will be modern and remind people of the numerous smaller venues they’d find in New York City, but with some different elements he’s brought from his experiences.
“I’ve lived and been in cities all across the country and I always made it a point to check out the different places,” he said, smiling. “This is going to be the culmination of some of the ideas I liked ... exfoliating them you can say.”
It hasn’t come without challenges, though.
The building itself has limitations, as the shotgun-style layout is a boon in style and appeal while a bane in terms of actual usable size, especially once bathrooms are installed in the rear. It’s a two-story building, but only the first will be open to customers. The second floor will be remodeled to allow the complete mural view in addition to storage and an office.
“We’ll just have to optimize space, but it’ll work,” he said.
Greer doesn’t anticipate parking to be an issue, either, as he plans to set up valet parking in front of the building.
“It’ll be the first thing people see when they cross the (Main Street) bridge,” he said.
With construction again underway, a target opening set and overall progress, Greer’s looking forward to people admiring the view and becoming one of the latest addition’s to the Downtown entertainment strip — even if outside factors influenced its delay.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s going to be a great freakin’ bar, comfortable and people are going to have a good time.”
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