Coffee? Vegetarian eats? Records? Comic books? All in the same building?
As Sinatra once crooned, "Fairytales can come true."
A group of dedicated dreamers has been hard at work at 3138 Dobson St. in Polish Hill, taking the dilapidated, century-old corner building, and turning it into a mecca.
Polish Hill residents Catherine McConnell (a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker) and Mark Knobil (a cinematographer for PBS, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and more) purchased the building about two years ago, as well as the building next-door for a total of $90,000. They renovated the next-door place and turned it into two modern one-bedroom apartments -- which are currently leased -- and are using that income to help fund the commercial renovations.
The corner property, which was vacant when McConnell and Knobil bought it, had long been used as housing, and was in very poor, structurally unsound condition, so these renovations are significant. Tai + Lee architects, based in Polish Hill, helped with early design, and Matthew Clifford and Eric Ross -- based in Polish Hill, too -- are the prime designers and contractors for the project. Artists Julie Gonzalez and Dana Dolney will be contributing mural work.
Robert Levkulich and Carrie DiFiore, who both come from an architecture/design background, are opening Lili Coffee Shop (named after their young daughter) on the first floor. The cafe will serve regular coffee shop fare and basic vegetarian eats, and will even have an area in the back where locals can work on their bikes. Though the couple has never before run a cafe, DiFiore's family owns the Elbow Room, Bites and Brews, and Buffalo Blues -- so they've got some good guidance.
The second floor is home to Mind Cure Records, a project of Polish Hill resident Michael Seamans and Dan Allen. The vinyl-only shop will sell from a stock of about 8,000 records, including local releases.
And the third floor will host Bill Boichel's Copacetic Comics, which is relocating to Polish Hill from Squirrel Hill, where it's been since 2001. In addition to his regular stock, Boichel will special order any book a customer wants at 15% off the listed price.
"Everybody goes right through Polish Hill on their way between the East End and Downtown and the Strip. But they never stop," says Boichel. "We're going to give them a reason to stop."
Lili Coffee Shop, Mind Cure Records and Copacetic Comics are shooting for a June opening.
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Writer: Caralyn Green
Sources: Catherine McConnell, Mark Knobil, Robert Levkulich, Carrie DiFiore, Michael Seamans, Bill Boichel
Photograph courtesy of Mark Knobil