The former Rogers Jewelers building in Downtown Evansville has been mostly empty since the retail store closed in 2005.
But a new initiative, the Main Course Restaurant Challenge, aims to change that by offering a sizable incentives package to bring a new eatery to the site.At 2 p.m. Wednesday, members of the Main Course committee, along with the Southwest Indiana Chamber, will host a news conference to announce the details of the contest-style program.
The gathering takes place at the development spot, located at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.According to a news release, “a prize package valued at more than $250,000 will be awarded to a carefully-selected restaurateur, to assist with the opening of a new eatery” at the former Rogers Jewelers spot. The effort is privately funded. The project is part of the Southwest Indiana Chamber’s Downtown Alliance, a community development initiative focused on Downtown Evansville Inc.
Josh Armstrong joined the chamber as the Downtown Alliance’s director in May.After touring several possible locations, Main Course decided the former Rogers Jewelers spot was the best site available, Armstrong said. Hesaid the first-floor space occupies 5,200 square feet, which is an ideal size for a restaurant. It also has basement storage, alley access and its corner location gives it good visibility.“After the tour, it was instant and unanimous that that was the site we thought would be great,” Armstrong said.
According to the Vanderburgh County Assessor’s Office, the building’s owner is Four Warrens Investments LLC, who purchased the property from Rogers Jewelers parent Ellenstein Stores in 2007.In 2008, the former jewelry store served as a presidential campaign office for Barack Obama. According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Four Warrens’ registered agent is Jaycee Warren. The LLC lists the same post-office box address as North Park Corp., whose registered agent is Gene Warren Jr.
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