Demolition continues at the old Woolworth’s store at Willis Avenue and Second Street in downtown Perry, with last month’s revelation of the long-hidden south facade matched Friday by the removal of the sign on the building’s west-facing wall.
The sign at 1104 Second St. hung over the El Rey Market, which is leaving its longtime downtown location for a larger building at 210 Willis Ave.
“Today is an exciting day on Second Street,” said Jacqueline Riekena, who is leading the demolition. “People lined the street to watch the sign come down, and there is a red sign under the sign that might say Coca-Cola.”
Riekena enlisted the services of a local tree company’s crane to lower the large sign, which has been out of service for many years.
Riekena and Davin Roberts of West Des Moines bought the 11,000-square-foot property Nov. 1 and have been clearing out the long-neglected commercial space to make way for planned improvements.
Plans for La Paris Est. 1869 LLC, the name of Riekena’s business, remain fluid, with a tea room, smokehouse restaurant and antique mall — provisionally called Prairie Girls — among the possibilities.
Thank goodness for these renovations! I encourage all to support the new business. As for the planned restaurant, I remind everyone to not be so critical of the food and service for the first few weeks. Too many times I’ve known places to go under because some locals were unhappy about the food or service on the first few days of operation. Don’t say, “I’m never going back,” if you are unhappy with the place on their first night. I’ve seen that happen frequently. Give the place a chance.