Renovation Diary II
It’s been just about a month since our first renovation diary, so it feels like the right time for an update on how things are progressing at Soccer House. February was about pulling everything apart and making a colossal mess. It was a month of making things messier in service of making them cleaner and taking things apart to put them back together even better.
The Great Kitchen Reset
In January we shined up our kitchen appliances. In February, we moved them. And when we say “moved them”, we mean everything. The stoves, the fryers, the prep tables and all of the cups, plates, pots, pans, racks, and every last kitchen odd and end. It all came out of the kitchen (and into the back room) so we could redo the entire kitchen floor and repaint all of the walls.
It’s amazing how different the kitchen feels now. Once everything was out, we could finally see, and properly clean, areas that hadn’t been fully accessible in years. We deep cleaned from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, and used the opportunity to install new surfaces that are durable and easy to maintain day in and day out. Seemingly little things, like putting all our kitchen equipment on casters so we can move the heavy stuff and clean underneath, will make a big difference in helping us set the right standard for cleanliness so the back-of-house can operate hygienically and professionally.
Lights On
In our last update, we talked about lighting being a major focus. We’re happy to report: that part is complete, and it looks great.
We replaced every light fixture in the building. The previous fixtures had what we believe was intended to be a kind of motorcycle-handlebar aesthetic. We’ve swapped those out for simple spotlights and globe lights. They warm the space and better highlight the tremendous bones of this amazing old building. The new lighting feels great and has had a massive impact on how the rooms feel.
Paint Painted
Similarly, the bright new coat of paint we put all over the venue has made a huge difference in how it all feels. Gone is the cement grey, which one visitor said “feels like a park district restroom.” Not a compliment. So we painted over all of that in favor of a lighter off-white hue in most places and an amazing bright green wall that is simply tremendous. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do!
A Change of Plans
In the last update, we said we were going to get the beer lines “squeaky clean.”
Well… change of plans.
Instead of cleaning them, we’re completely replacing them. The old tap towers are out, too.
To get slightly into the weeds: the existing lines were a little beyond what we felt comfortable reviving through just cleaning, and the old tap towers were from an earlier era that didn’t run cooling all the way up to the tap head. That meant if a particular beer hadn’t been poured in a while, the first pour could be warm. No one wants that.
The new system solves that. Nice clean lines with continuous cooling all the way to the tap for better pours and more consistency. As a bonus, the new towers kind of look like soccer goals. We didn’t actually plan that part, but we’re absolutely claiming it.
What Else?
A few other important upgrades have been underway:
The restrooms have been given a much-needed facelift.
All new restroom fixtures have arrived and are waiting to be installed.
We replaced a number of floorboards on the rooftop deck to ensure everything up there is solid and safe.
We started deep cleaning behind the bar and in the main bar area
What’s Still To Be Done?
We’re pushing toward the finish, but there’s still plenty on the list:
We still haven’t gotten around to installing the new espresso machine, but that’s just days away!
Adding shades to the windows in the main bar area
Getting those new draft lines and tap tower in
Putting some art on the walls
Touch-ups and punch-list details throughout the building
Putting the screens on the wall and getting the sound just right
Every week, it feels more real. The dust is settling and the space is starting to feel like what we imagined all along!