By Bryan Bloodworth
BLOOMINGTON – Rick McCormick has been in the food and catering business longer than he can remember.
That and a dedication to his customers at Parkview Food and Pub at 1003 S. Morris led him to the decision to rebuild the popular neighborhood restaurant and bar after fire destroyed it Oct. 22. The fire that caused an estimated $300,000 in damages started in an exhaust hood.
“We are going to rebuild,” said McCormick, who purchased the place from his parents six years ago. “Time-wise I don’t know. We’re just waiting on the builders to get their prices back to me and the weather….we’re just going to see how it works out.”
McCormick, who also owns Redbird Catering, said he couldn’t see himself out of the business.
“I’m only 53 years old and still have a ways to go,” he added. “It’s a neighborhood bar and it’s been here since 1928. I just hate to see it closed. That’s why I want to reopen. It’s a neighborhood event. People around here come here all the time.”
McCormick said plans call for the building to be leveled as early as next week after remaining utility boxes are removed. Also, part of a building next door at 1001 S. Morris will be torn down to make room for a bigger restaurant.
“The sooner the better,” said McCormick of the demolition work. “We’re going to try and make it a little bigger, little friendlier. I don’t want to get too big but I want to get a little more room, so we can have more parties.”
McCormick also said the new building, which will have an increase in seating from 80 to 100 people, will sit differently on the lot.
“We’re going to turn the building a little bit, so you can see more of the park (Miller Park and zoo) though the windows instead of the back of the property,” he continued. “It will be more north and south than east and west.”
Formerly known as Parkview Inn, the restaurant is the oldest in the state at its original site on historic Route 66.
McCormick also said rumors that Redbird Catering closed after the fire are not true.
“We’re still open at 1507 N. Main and 1003 S. Morris,” added McCormick. “We’re still doing catering and Christmas parties.”
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected]
