06/02/2026
We are so excited to be a part of this great project!
LPA Spring Preservation in Progress awards are here! LPA is happy to shine a light on two exciting revitalizations of long-vacant downtown properties. Our first featured property is:
900 Pennsylvania Street
Charlie’s East Side, a small but iconic structure in East Lawrence, just across the street from the Poehler Industrial Historic District, is about to enter a brand-new chapter of life after decades of inactivity. Longtime Lawrence entrepreneur Brad Ziegler purchased this property in 2022 and after much effort—including a rezoning to light industrial so the proposed use is conforming—Brad is just now steering it back into commercial use. Owned by the Del Campo family for many years, the building had fallen victim to a zoning issue after a period of non-activity that caused the city to claim that the property had lost its “grandfathered” status. So the property sat vacant for years.
The two-story stone structure, not listed on historic registers, is likely to have been built in the mid-1860s, and may have housed a blacksmith shop. Later used by the Del Campos—Charlie Del Campo was the proprietor—as a tavern, it was a good place to serve tacos, beer and grill fare. Brad is rehabilitating and updating the building itself, but the use and menu will be much the same. He’s also keeping the business name, and yes, the Coors sign stays too.
Working with Nineteenth Century Construction (Dan Riedemann, principal, Henry Riedemann, foreman) and architect Mike Myers of Hernly Associates, with Harvey Brothers Construction handling the mechanicals, Brad is replacing all the wiring and plumbing. The wood decks outside had met the end of their life and had to go. The original windows no longer existed, and their replacements were no longer functional, so quality new windows are now installed. Some window openings that were no longer needed are being bricked in so the historic openings remain evident from the street.
Changes to the grade level on the north and back exposed a north foundation wall badly in need of repointing. The Riedemann crew completed this using a mortar mix that will not harm the surrounding stone. The lower grade level in the back has allowed the creation of an inviting exterior space with a nice patio that was poured to allow a zero-entry into a previously dysfunctional rear door opening. The door now provides access to accessible bathrooms for customer and staff use, as well as walk-in coolers and initial food prep area.
The interior space on the main floor will be as small as it ever was. There might be about 10 seats at the bar, and maybe space for one table. The back patio space, and a new metal deck in the front that’s being constructed by Jonah Seibel, will allow for much more seating when the weather allows.
Brad is the longtime owner of Louise’s on Massachusetts Street and the Eighth Street Taproom. He has been investing in downtown properties since he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1989. In 2019 Brad—and many of this same team of design and construction professionals—won another much-deserved PIP for their work converting an old laundromat at 9th and Mississippi into Big Mill Restaurant. To many longtime Lawrencians, the old industrial area on the east side would have never again looked the same if the little stone Del Campo building had gone away. LPA is so glad that it won’t.
