Kujtime Redzepi, co-owner of Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, sat in a leather upholstered chair inside the new location Friday afternoon, admiring the hard work that had been put in over the past two months.

“I haven’t had a day off yet,” she said.

Redzepi, along with her husband and co-owner Shawn Redzepi, closed the former Molly’s location, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, while students were on winter break. During this time, they worked to open their new location a few blocks down the road, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway, at the former Campus Club building.

New Features and Familiar Atmosphere

 

“When people left for break, Molly’s was still there,” Kujtime said. “They came back and [the former location] was gone. It’s like a surprise for people.”

Kujtime said they wanted to keep many things at the new location familiar for patrons. Many of the same pub tables and chairs remain, along with the pool tables and various games from the former location.

“We also brought the Molly’s main bar with us,” Kujtime said. “We took a lot of things with us to preserve the history of Molly’s.”

While regulars may recognize the Molly’s atmosphere, there are some noticeable changes. Kujtime said they did a lot of little things to improve the new location, including painting, replacing the floors and updating the bathrooms.

Patrons might also notice another addition to the new location – a large, granite topped bar in the middle of the main floor – which Kujtime said is a conversation piece on its own.

“The tile is from the old Sergeant Pepper’s location, the wood work is from the VIP Room [at the former Molly’s location] and the step is flooring from the old Molly’s,” Kujtime said.

Kujtime said while the new location has been open, construction continues on the kitchen.

“Subway took the kitchen side of this building, so we had to build [a kitchen] on our side,” Kujtime said. “We want to open it as soon as possible.”

Redzepi said once the kitchen is open, Molly’s will continue to serve its staples, including beer nuggets, which were served for the first time at the former location.

Another change is the absence of the adjacent liquor store. Kujtime said the new location, unfortunately, doesn’t have the space.

While the former location had sentimental value, Kujtime said she is adjusting and is happy with the location’s turn out and how patrons are reacting to the changes.

“It’s nice to see everyone walk in with a smile on their face and it looks like they’re happy,” Redzepi said.

DeKalb resident Chris Mosten said he considered himself a regular at the former Molly’s location.

“I went to the other Molly’s all the time, but [the new location] is amazing,” Mosten said. “Everything seems very modern and classy. The new bar is so cool.”

Parking Changes

 

Nora Fergus, senior early childhood education major, lives in Colonial Apartments, directly behind the new Molly’s location. Fergus said she worries that once the semester starts and she has to wake up early for class or work, bar patrons may keep her awake.

“They close at 2 [a.m.] so that’s not too bad, but there may be that loud person hanging around,” Fergus said. “It’s like, I know you’re having a good time, but I’m trying to sleep.”

Fergus said she doesn’t have a car, but parking may prove to be a problem for others living in the complex.

Kujtime said Molly’s and Subway patrons can utilize the lot in front of the building as well as the adjacent lot between the BP gas station and Colonial Apartments.

Mason Properties Owner Jim Mason said he owns that lot.

“The land between BP and the Subway/Molly’s building is first come, first served parking,” Mason said.

Mason said those living in the apartment complex are still able to park in the approximately 30 spaces facing east, especially if they have stickers.

“Usually we only have 10 to 12 people there anyway,” Mason said. “We have so much parking it hasn’t been a problem.”

Mason said if Molly’s has big parties, they cannot tow apartment tenants with stickers on their cars.

“The best thing to do is to let people come and let people go,” Mason said. “I hope [Molly’s] is successful.”