CENTERBURG — The Intown Restaurant’s physical structure might be gone, but its memories will linger for years to come.
On Sunday, the land bank demolished the building as it was uninhabitable and too deteriorated to repair.
The restaurant at 14-16 E. Main St. closed in March 2022. The Knox County Land Bank bought the property in December 2023.
Sam Filkins, vice president of the land bank, said the vacant lot will become green space with picnic tables.
Once crews remove all the debris, land bank officials will better understand what needs to be done to level out the lot and make it productive.
The land bank will create several parking spaces at the rear of the lot to accommodate apartment tenants in the two adjacent buildings.
Filkins said tenants currently park on East Main Street, which leaves fewer spots for customers of downtown merchants.
Gov. Mike DeWine’s Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program funded the demolition.
Filkins said the land bank sold the salvageable kitchen items to local restaurants and preserved the iconic Intown Restaurant sign.
Fond memories, forward look
Residents came to watch the demolition on Sunday, and social media recorded many comments. Here are a few of them:
•“Hate to see this building destroyed. It was a historical building. I loved having the restaurant and will always cherish the memories of all the town of Centerburg support to have such a successful business for over 10 years!”
•“Sad for old buildings but nice we can have something that the community can enjoy again.”
•“I miss working there when it was ran by Wanda. Met so many wonderful people and of course the food was always great.”
•“It is the end of an era, but looking forward to positive change for our little Burg!”
•“So sad to hear it’s being torn down. Spent many weekends there. Nice to always see the regulars and Miss Wanda. You could go there once and not come back for months and she’d remember your order.”
A glimpse into the past
According to Centerburg resident and historian Gloria Parsisson, the Intown Restaurant was actually two buildings. The auditor’s website states it was built in 1880.
In 1906, the buildings were a millinery/hat shop and a barber shop.
In 1909, a fire destroyed the brick building east (north) of the restaurant. The building housing the barber shop saved Parsisson’s great-grandparents and grandmother.
Parsisson shared some information about the fire on social media. We reprint it here, in part, with her permission.
The Elmo and Hattie (Mortley) Updike family lived above the hardware store on E. Main St., north side, in 1909.
The couple had four children. Helen, the eldest, was born in February 1903. Ray, the youngest, was born in February 1909.
On Sunday, Aug. 29, 1909, the family visited Hattie’s family on the farm. Helen stayed with her grandparents, but the three younger children returned home with Elmo and Hattie.
Newspaper account
Here is part of the article from the Aug. 30, 1909, Mt. Vernon Daily Republican News:
“About 11 p.m. Sunday evening it was discovered by D.C. Oberholtzer that the building was on fire and the alarm given.
The building was a brick structure and was occupied on the first floor by Dr. A. W. Brown, dentist; E.B. Bunnannette, tailor; Sprague & Sweatland, roofers and tinners; Elmer Brown, barber; Logan Gas Co, offices and supply room; Elmo Updike, hardware; Miller & Tuttle, dry goods.
On the second floor was located the exchange of the Mt. Vernon Telephone Co., the I.O.O.F. lodge room, the law office of Bowers & Hayden and the living apartments of Elmo Updike and family, and those of Mrs. Kit Riley (telephone company employee).
When the alarm of the fire was given, Elmo Updike was awakened and found that their living rooms were filled with smoke. He aroused the family and they proceeded to make their escape from the burning building, but upon reaching the stairway, found this avenue of escape was cut off.
Mr. Updike and his wife got their three children and escaped from the burning building in their night clothes by smashing out a window and crossing the roof of the adjoining building. Upon reaching the street they were hurried to the home of neighbors, where they were cared for.
The Updike family lost everything they had but the clothing on their backs.”
