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Gleam of Hope for MacMillan s

Editor
Posted 4/10/04

The sometimes strange saga of Fayette's most venerable watering hole, McMillan's Cafe (Mac's), took another unusual turn Friday. Real and personal property associated with the tavern was scheduled to …

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Gleam of Hope for MacMillan s

Posted
Editor
The sometimes strange saga of Fayette's most venerable watering hole, McMillan's Cafe (Mac's), took another unusual turn Friday.

Real and personal property associated with the tavern was scheduled to be sold at noon Wednesday at a sheriff's sale on the courthouse steps.

But the sale was postponed, apparently with the blessing of the note-holder, the Commercial Trust Co. of Fayette. Bank officials have made it clear they would much rather reach a settlement out of court.

The auction (sheriff's sale) was set by the circuit court to satisfy a judgement against the current owner of the establishment, Brian McMillan.

Nonetheless, several individuals and groups ' including some nostalgic 'alums' of Central Methodist College ' have indicated a hope to save the historic bar, located at 110 and 112 South Main.

To further muddy the waters, the Mac's location no longer is zoned for such an enterprise, following changes in the city's zoning grid several years ago. However, the business was 'grandfathered' for a year, but this proviso was set to run out later this month.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, two men ' apparently acting independently ' both applied and received city business licenses for a tavern/restaurant at 110 South Main which would thus preserve the 'grandfather' clause. The two are identified as Stephen G. Strauss, a St. Louis attorney, and Deryk Rieves who lists a Fayette phone number. He is a 1996 CMC graduate.

City officials said it was their understanding that the two individuals are not affiliated.

City Attorney C.J. Dykhouse said the council's action was legal in that it simply gives either party the green light to do business if other conditions are met, such as an occupancy permit and requisite state licenses, etc.

Observers speculate that negotiations are taking place between owner McMillan and one or both of the two parties.

Established as a cafe in 1928, McMillan's has been operated by three generations of the McMillan family through Depression, war, and countless social changes ' retaining a remarkably consistent ambiance through the years. It was a favorite haunt of many generations of Central students for both food and beer.

After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Mac's was granted one of Missouri's first tavern licenses and for many years was the only such establishment in the city. Liquor by the drink was added in 1977.

Brian McMillan's troubles began with a July 2002 micro-burst which destroyed the roof of the original part of the establishment. That building still is in need of major repair, it is reported.

After briefly being closed, the bar reopened in what had been an adjoining banquet room. But last spring Mac's was shut down for failure to pay back sales taxes.

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