Architectural plans have been laid, and the New Year will see the rebuilding of Richmond’s landmark Lone Start Saloon – gutted by fire Nov. 19 – into a “gorgeous” new nightclub.
Bill Lindquist, who owns the Lone Star along with his wife, Beverly, said Friday he is in the process of planning for the demolition of the brick shell of the historic building whose insides were all but destroyed in the fire.
After that, “we’re going to put up a gorgeous new building,” Lindquist said. “We’re going to put in a big one-room nightclub” with a bandstand, dance floor and a large modern bar.
Also, marking a departure from the old Lone Star, which did not offer food, the Lindquists are planning to put in a kitchen, to offer patrons hamburgers on the order of those made at Ruby Reds of Harvey, La., fame, and other food such as perhaps grilled chicken sandwiches.
The popular Richmond bar and music venue, run for decades in a historic 120-year-old building at 102 and 106 S. Third St., was heavily damaged in the fire.
Fire fighters from Richmond, Rosenberg, Pecan Grove, Missouri City and Sugar Land fought the blaze early that morning.
While no one was hurt, damage to the saloon’s buildings, which are joined by an interior brick wall, was extensive, and estimated at close to a half-million dollars.
Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s office joined the Richmond Fire Department’s probe of the cause of the fire.
Richmond Fire Chief Stephen Noto said earlier this week the investigation is nearly complete, and no evidence has surfaced to indicate that the fire was purposely set.
However, Noto indicated the fire may have originated near some newly installed “electrical equipment” he identified as video game devices. Lindquist said it’s not yet possible to “make a conclusion” about what caused the blaze, but added that insurance investigators intend to remove evidence from the gutted building and take it to a Dallas laboratory for study.
“Somebody is at fault,” Lindquist said.
The Lone Star long had been run by the Copeland family, who had a large American Indian memorabilia collection on display at the saloon.
The historic tavern attracted patrons from all walks of life for decades, as day laborers mixed with courthouse employees, police officers and judges.
Lindquist said he and his wife were “tickled” at the opportunity to buy the Lone Star about a year and a half ago. But the fire left them devastated.
“My wife has cried like a 2-year-old who didn’t get any Christmas,” he said. “But now she is starting to smile” since plans for rebuilding have progressed.
Demolition of the existing brick exterior walls at 102 – 106 S. Third Street must occur before rebuilding, because those walls are no longer sound enough for support. Lindquist said he expects to be able to schedule the demoltion within about 10 days.
JohnBernardBooks?
How’dy a do that?… Come in like a puff a smoke!….. Leave me breathless?…Boy, I can’t wait to give you a piece of my,my,my mind!
~
Smoking is hazardous to your health, so don’t ya even dare thinking about it!!!!!
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Hot close-ups! Smokin’ actually…yanno I never asked! In fact there’s a personal story there connecting to my favorite movie character too. Oh, and please don’t hold any bull against me? I never rode before.
“I never rode a bull I didn’t like!” Who said that? … Mickey Gilley or maybe that was me? Surething =-) okay get real now: here we go, here we go now… Do over!
Ah, but TexasRose mistified….prominent nightclub on Westheimer, way before I was born I think.
real Texans are born aknowin how dance….ride and fight…
Ha, up for a Lone Star? Country-Soul-Rock-n-Roll, so that’s your style of prominence? I can dig that, I guess, but is it “danceable”, or are you only into watching?
I’d like to see The Lonestar Saloon take a more prominent place in Texas music. Several of us went to see Hayes Carll, Adam Carol and The Band of Heathens over the holidays, and we had to drive to downtown Houston to the warehouse district. First time to see The Band of Heathens and they were good.
Celebrating my gratuities to the Lindquist’s, enjoying an elaborate entertainment venue mix, was always delightfully fun! Rockin’ bands, my favorite bass guitarist, alluring me into lyrical oblivion! Watching him…watching me…watching him, strum that lyrical sexy instrument of his.
Talent. It’s a lucky thing.
*“*“*`*“*
Lucky Star
*“*“*`*“*
You must be my “Lucky Star”!
Cause you shine on me wherever you are
I just think of you and I start to glow =-)
And I need your light
And baby you know
[chorus]
Starlight, starbright first star I see tonight
Starlight, [starbright] make every…thing all right
Starlight, starbright first star I see tonight
Starlight, [starbright] yeah…yeah
You must be, my “Lucky Star”!
Cause you make the darkness seem so far
And when I’m lost you’ll be my guide
I just turn around and you’re by my side
[chorus]
Come on, shine your heaven…ly body tonight
Cause I know you’re gonna make every…thing all right
You may be my “Lucky Star”
But I’m the luck..i..est by far!!!
[My dedication to the Lindquist's. Lone Star Saloon is your "Smiling Lucky Star"]
O’sosexy..vava’voom..vava’ving dancing, with my clothes on =-) It must have been that erotic redneck Texas flag that turned their head haha….
“That $1 I earned?”….I’m not even thinking about asking……hahaha
O yesss, yesss Bob!
“We’re going to put in a big one-room nightclub”, dance floor and a large modern bar.”
I’m smiling, I’m smiling… ha ya’lls “inflation”, watch it heat up the dancefloor (again!) That $1 I earned? I never asked for it, just having sexy fun– that’s moi =-)
“The historic tavern attracted patrons from all walks of life for decades, as day laborers mixed with courthouse employees police officers, and judges.”
Happy New Year
XXOEveryoneOOX