The great Von Lee-burger

Nick's, Sports, The Vid, Yogi's, that one pizza place, Sports, The Vid, Trojan Horse, Village Deli, Sports, The Vid, and a few Starbucks here and there.\nAnd what's the number one restaurant or bar you haven't been to yet?\nIt's Rudolph the shut-down Von Lee!\nYes, Kerasotes Theatres finally sold its vice-grip of a hold on the deed to the historic Von Lee Theater in downtown Bloomington to Artemis LLC, which might be planning to open up a bar and restaurant in Von Lee's shadow.\nIt seems the final nail in the coffin is about to go into place for the "Save the Von Lee" campaign. If we ever hoped to see the Kirkwood monument return to its roots and begin showing art house films, perhaps the best we can hope for is a Planet Hollywood.\nNow, of course we can wish upon a star that the Monroe County alcoholic beverage board will not allow Artemis LLC to transfer its 30 permits to the site (namely those for beer, wine and liquor). However, it's not likely that the board will frown upon what seems to be the only sure-fire investment in Bloomington -- booze and food.\nWe are saddened to see one of the cornerstones of Kirkwood history could soon be replaced with simply another place to get a cheeseburger. While the Kerasotes stranglehold on the Von Lee's lease made us toss and turn with strife, a manifestation of big corporate politics keeping down the independent establishments, at least we had hope. Perhaps a legal decision would swing the way of the little Von Lee. Perhaps Kerasotes would be visited by the ghost of Christmas ticket sales and hand the deed back to the community.\nPerhaps, but not likely.\nNow, the best we can hope for is good drink specials.\nAnd while Robert Schultz, manager of Nick's English Hut, is correct when he told the IDS, "competition is good," we have to note that it's not particularly exciting. What is one more bar among dozens in comparison with one classic cinema among no others like it?\nIf we must admit to loss though, perhaps we can offer one final suggestion. If Artemis LLC has any business savvy, it'd understand the key to operating a successful establishment is to give the community something its competitors have no access to. This key feature does not need to be in the new restaurant's menu, nor in its name.\nIt's in the foundation.\nThe Von Lee is a building with history, its walls have a story. Much like the converted Gables on Indiana Avenue, Artemis stands to benefit from using the existing Von Lee to its benefit. Though Bloomington residents may never see another film in the little theater, we can only assume they'd respect and patronize its successor with much more frequency if it paid homage to its history, maybe serve a little dinner in the theater.\nIt may be kitchy, but it's better than a Shoney's.